News Release Archive

Record of Decision Signed for the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area General Plan/Resource Management Plan

Media Contact: Shane Hunt, 916-978-5100, shunt@usbr.gov

For Release: October 29, 2015

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has signed the Record of Decision for the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (Folsom Lake SRA) and State Historic Park (SHP) General Plan/Resource Management Plan (GP/RMP) Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR). The GP/RMP is a joint effort between Reclamation and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) that will guide recreation and resource management at Folsom Lake SRA in a way that maintains and enhances both public and resource benefits and is consistent with Reclamation’s core mission of delivering water and generating power.

The EIS/EIR described Folsom Lake SRA’s existing setting, alternatives for future management under the GP/RMP and potential environmental impacts of each alternative. Reclamation selected Alternative 2, the Preferred Alternative, which provides for outdoor recreation opportunities and facilities while protecting and managing natural and cultural resources. The Alternative was designed to manage the changing conditions that continuously transform the environment while providing opportunities for a wide spectrum of day use and recreational activities.

The California State Park and Recreation Commission approved and certified the GP and EIR components in October 2009. Reclamation is finalizing the Record of Decision for the RMP and EIS components following execution of a 25-year Managing Partner Agreement (MPA) signed by the two agencies in January 2012. The MPA provides for the administration, operation, maintenance and development of recreation use and facilities at the Folsom Lake and Auburn SRAs by State Parks. The MPA provides the roles, responsibilities, constraints and guidelines for how Reclamation and State Parks will implement this decision.

Folsom Lake SRA includes approximately 19,500 acres of land and water centered on Folsom Reservoir and Lake Natoma. Of this, 17,300 acres are owned by Reclamation and managed by State Parks as part of the Folsom Lake SRA through a long-term agency agreement. About 2,200 acres of state-owned land are within Folsom Lake SRA, which extends across the boundaries of El Dorado, Placer and Sacramento counties, the city of Folsom and the communities of Orangevale, El Dorado Hills and Granite Bay. Attendance at Folsom Lake SRA averages about 1.5 million visitors annually.

Folsom Powerhouse SHP includes 35 acres situated next to Folsom Lake SRA along the southern shoreline of Lake Natoma and adjacent to the historic district of the city of Folsom. The Folsom Powerhouse SHP includes both federal and state-owned lands. The Powerhouse was part of Folsom Lake SRA until 1995 when it was classified as a separate unit to acknowledge the special historical significance of the site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Folsom Lake SRA and Folsom Powerhouse SHP were managed by State Parks under a 50-year lease agreement with Reclamation from 1956 until 2012 when the current 25-year MPA took effect. During this time period, State Parks has developed several planning documents to guide the development and management of the park units.

The GP/RMP is intended to provide a vision for the future, allowing managers the opportunity to incorporate newly emerging technologies, improved management concepts and potential development proposals that provide solutions to current issues and direction for resolving future issues that may arise. The GP/RMP will allow for the continued operation and maintenance of recreational lands and activities by State Parks.

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=543. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov or call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339).

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Dyer with Reclamation’s Central California Area Office at 916-989-7256 or elizabethdyer@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.