News Release Archive

Record of Decision Signed for the Lake Berryessa VSP

Preferred Alternative B with Elements of Alternatives A, C, and D is Selected

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: June 06, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation has signed the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan (VSP). Reclamation adopted an interest-based approach to developing the ROD. The decision was made only after Reclamation identified and systematically considered all major interests of each participating stakeholder group in relation to written public comments and feedback from public meetings. The process took almost 7 months to complete and resulted in substantive modifications to the Preferred Alternative identified in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The VSP ROD modifies Reclamations previous Preferred Alternative (Alternative B) to include elements of Alternatives A, C, and D. The VSP ROD also carries forward key recreation-related provisions from the 1993 Reservoir Area Management Plan ROD and includes a range of mitigation measures. This represents the final decision by Reclamation for the future recreation use and operations of Lake Berryessa. The VSP ROD complies with National Environmental Policy Act requirements which commit Federal agencies to fully consider their projects environmental effects.

Under the ROD, short-term recreation use opportunities will be increased and improved at the lake; all privately owned long-term trailers, mobile homes, and associated personal property within the concession areas must be removed from Federal property; and three different types of occupancy may be permitted within specific geographic locations at each concession area. Concession areas will continue to be located at Markley Cove, Pleasure Cove, Steele Park, Spanish Flat, Lake Berryessa Marina, Rancho Monticello, and Putah Creek. There is no change to the water craft carrying capacity at the lake which remains at 3,000 (powerboats, sailboats, etc.). Reclamation will solicit proposals for concession operations from the widest practicable range of qualified bidders nationwide as soon as possible from the date of this VSP ROD.

Reclamation initiated extensive public outreach for the VSP in 2000 and published the Draft EIS in October 2003. Two public review and comment periods were held from October 31, 2003, to April 22, 2004, and February 16 to April 4, 2005. Reclamation received more than 3,400 letters and e-mails during the comment periods. Reclamation published the Final EIS in October 2005 and then held 12 public meetings and briefings, attended by some 1,200 participants, to encourage additional public comment for consideration in the decision process.

The ROD is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=41. For a copy of the ROD, please contact Ms. Janet Sierzputowski at 916-978-5112 or e-mail jsierzputowski@mp.usbr.gov. Please contact Mr. Pete Lucero, Lake Berryessa Park Manager, at 707-966-2111, ext. 106, or e-mail plucero@mp.usbr.gov for questions on the ROD. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Record of Decision (Scroll Down)