News Release Archive

Public Meetings Scheduled on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan

Media Contact: Jeffrey S. McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: November 14, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan (VSP).  Reclamation has completed the required National Environmental Policy Act compliance.  A final decision will be documented in a Record of Decision (ROD) that will be released at least 30 days after publication of the Notice of Availability for the FEIS in the Federal Register.  The ROD will state the action that will be implemented and discuss the factors leading to the decision.  Four action alternatives are analyzed in the FEIS.  Reclamations Preferred Alternative remains Alternative B which would increase short-term public use opportunities on and around the lake.

Extensive public comment was received in the development of the FEIS.  The Draft EIS was released for two public review and comment periods, from October 31, 2003, to April 22, 2004, and again from February 16 to April 4, 2005.  Presentations on the VSP were given in 2003, 2004, and 2005 to Tribal, county, and city officials; congressional representatives and staff; the media; and community groups.  Public open houses were held in March 2001, November 2003, and January and March 2004.  Two public hearings were held on January 21, 2004.  Reclamation held information meetings at four of the lake resorts on November 12, 2005. 

The public is invited to attend any of the six public informational meetings being held to learn more about the FEIS:

  • Napa - Tuesday, November 15, 2005, 11:00 a.m.-Noon, City Hall, Council Chambers, 955 School St.
  • Winters - Saturday, November 19, 1 p.m., Winters High School Gym, 101 Grant Avenue
  • Fairfield - Tuesday, November 22, 9 a.m., Solano County Board of Supervisors, Solano County Government Center, 675 Texas Street
  • Vacaville - Tuesday, November 29, 11:00 a.m.-Noon, Solano Irrigation District, Board Room, 508 Elmira Road
  • Vallejo - Thursday, December 1, 3-4 p.m., Best Western Inn Marine World,  Hillside Room, 1596 Fairgrounds Drive
  • Davis - Thursday, December 1, 8-9 p.m., Davis Branch Library, Blanchard Room, 315 E 14th Street

These meetings will be held before all elements of a final Record of Decision are determined.

The Final EIS may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/berryessa.  Please contact Pete Lucero at 707-966-2111 x106 or e-mail plucero@mp.usbr.gov for questions on the FEIS.  To request a paper copy or CD, contact Janet Sierzputowski at 916-978-5112 or e-mail jsierzputowski@mp.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.

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Public Meetings Scheduled on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan