News Release Archive

Reclamation Waives Day Use Fees and Invites Volunteers to Help Beautify New Melones Lake on Sept. 27 in Celebration of National Public Lands Day

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: September 12, 2014

SONORA, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation’s Central California Area Office, in celebration of the 21st anniversary of National Public Lands Day, will waive day use fees at New Melones Lake for all visitors on Saturday, Sept. 27. New Melones Lake is located about 8 miles/13 km north of Sonora and 6 miles/9 km south of Angels Camp, Calif.

As part of the NPLD celebration, Reclamation will host an invasive plant removal and native plant beautification event at the New Melones Lake Recreation Areas from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers may also visit the lake’s new greenhouse where some of the native plants were grown and learn about New Melones’ efforts to promote ecosystem conservation, reduce waste, expand recycling, conserve energy, and develop partnerships and children’s programs.

Reclamation is seeking volunteers to assist with this event. Volunteers will receive a “fee-free day” coupon, which provides free entry to any federal public land for one day, no matter which agency. Free California native plant seeds and zebra and quagga mussel prevention gifts will also be available for volunteers. The public, organizations, and local businesses are invited to participate. To register as a volunteer, please contact Park Ranger Cindy Watson or Park Ranger Sarah Corpening at 209-536-9094 (TTY 800-877-8339). Participants who require special accommodations should contact Reclamation as far in advance as possible.

On-site registration and check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the New Melones Visitor Center, 6850 Studhorse Flat Road, Sonora, off Highway 49. Volunteers should dress for summer heat; bring lunch, water, and work gloves; and wear sturdy shoes.

NPLD is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Begun in 1994 with three sites and 700 volunteers, it is typically held on the last Saturday in September. In 2013, about 175,000 volunteers worked at 2,237 sites performing a variety of services, including building and maintaining an estimated 1,500 miles of trails; planting an estimated 100,000 trees, shrubs, and native plants; and removing about 500 tons of trash. For additional information, please visit the NPLD website at http://www.publiclandsday.org/.

Reclamation is focusing on the connections between outdoor recreation and health. With the growing concern about childhood obesity and children's lack of time spent enjoying nature, NPLD is a perfect opportunity for families to get outdoors and experience what our public lands have to offer. As part of this effort, Reclamation continues to support the Department of the Interior's Let's Move Outside! initiative. To learn more about this initiative, please visit www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside.

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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.