News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents for Camp Nine Whitewater Events

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

For Release: December 07, 2016

FOLSOM, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released the final environmental documents for a program to issue Special Event Permits (SEP) to local outfitter companies to conduct commercial whitewater boating operations on the main stem Stanislaus River between the Camp Nine area and Mark Twain Day Use Area at New Melones Lake. The whitewater boating program was identified in the 2010 New Melones Lake Area Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement.

As water-level conditions allow, Reclamation would issue SEPs to up to four local outfitter companies (permittees) to conduct whitewater boating operations at New Melones Lake. The permittees would use existing roads to transport customers, outfitter staff, and equipment along Highways 4 and 49, Parrotts Ferry Road, and Camp Nine Road, including the access route to Mark Twain Recreation Area on former Highway 49. The Camp Nine Road extends about nine miles from Parrotts Ferry Road to the Collierville Power Plant. The put-in would be located below Camp Nine Road near Mile 8 and the former Camp Nine Bridge. The former bridge and an adjacent weir were removed in 2008.

The Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) 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=25758. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Final EA/FONSI, please contact Sarah Perrin at 916-989-7173 (TTY 800-877-8339). Copies of the Final EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Central California Area Office, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630.

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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.