News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Record of Decision for the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area Resource Management Plan/General Plan

Media Contact: Louis Moore, 916-978-5100, wmoore@usbr.gov

For Release: May 02, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. ­-- Reclamation has signed a Record of Decision for the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report Resource Management Plan/General Plan. The SLRSRA consists of more than 27,000 acres owned by Reclamation.

The area includes the water surfaces of San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, Los Banos Creek Reservoir, and adjacent recreation lands managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation in Merced County, California. 

The RMP/GP will guide recreation and resource management at the SLRSRA in a way that maintains and enhances public and resource benefits, and is consistent with Reclamation’s core mission of delivering water and generating power. The EIS/EIR describes the SLRSRA’s existing setting, alternatives for future management under the RMP/GP, and potential environmental impacts of each alternative. 

Reclamation selected Alternative 3, the Preferred Alternative, which provides for moderate new access and development, and balances the need for future visitor facilities with resource management.  This alternative anticipates increased future visitation by providing for physical additions and visitor use modifications, but concentrates them in and around existing developed areas. The decision will allow the continued operation and maintenance of recreational lands and activities by the state parks department, as well as the execution of a new management agreement at SLRSRA.

The ROD and EIS/EIR were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=548.  If you encounter any difficulties assessing the documents online, please e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov or call 916-978-5100 (TTY 916-978-5608).

For more information, please contact Dave Woolley, Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area Office, at 559-487-5049 (TDD 559 487-5933) or e-mail dwoolley@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.