News Release Archive

Final EA Issued for Prineville Reservoir Resource Management Plan

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212

For Release: June 04, 2003

The Bureau of Reclamation issued the Final Environmental Assessment for the Prineville Reservoir Resource Management Plan with a Finding of No Significant Impact for implementing the plan. The EA was prepared in cooperation with the Oregon Park and Recreation Department who is a managing partner at the site located on the Crooked River in central Oregon about 15 miles southeast of Prineville, Oregon.

The Prineville RMP will serve as a guide for Reclamation to manage the natural and cultural resources, recreation facilities, and public access for the next 10 years. The RMP will also serve as a State Park Master Plan the will provide a desired future condition for recreation facilities for the next 25 years.

Reclamation and OPRD have been cooperative partners along with other government and private representatives to prepare an updated RMP and combined Master Plan for Prineville Reservoir and the surrounding Reclamation lands.

The Preferred Alternative outlined in the RMP will include measures to protect and enhance natural resources while accommodating recreation use in mostly developed or defined areas. Major action items include relocating the Powder House Cove boat ramp and providing additional parking; constructing a new campground near the existing State Park campground on the north side of the reservoir; and providing site definition and recreation amenities at Roberts Bay pending resolution of a road access issue.

The RMP also calls for improved enforcement of illegal off-road vehicle use, continued cooperation with Crook County for on-site law enforcement, and additional control of livestock grazing in riparian areas and recreation sites. The RMP also calls for a Habitat and Wildlife Management Plan designed to include plans for habitat improvement, integrated pest management, eagle management, fencing, and fisheries management. Further public comment opportunities will be provided for these site-specific plans.

The Final EA will allow for preparation of a Final Resource Management Plan. The Final RMP is expected to be available August 15.

The Final EA can be viewed on Reclamations website at www.usbr.gov/pn (click on Resource Management Plans to find the Prineville Reservoir RMP). The document is also available at public libraries in Prineville and Bend, at Prineville State Park; and at Reclamations Bend, Portland, and Boise Offices. For questions about the EA, or to request a copy of the document, please contact: Vicki Kellerman, Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise, ID 83706-1234 (208) 378-5326. Or by Email:vkellerman@pn.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.