Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan, Napa County, CA, 67191 [05-22025]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Reclamation
• Reclamation Bureau

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 67191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22025]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan, Napa County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability (NOA) of the final environmental impact 
statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, the Bureau of Reclamation has prepared a Final EIS for the Lake 
Berryessa Visitor Services Plan (VSP). The Final EIS outlines the 
proposed project alternatives that seek to address issues related to 
the VSP, including the type and level of facilities and services that 
are appropriate for future uses on Federal land. Of the seven 
concession contracts at Lake Berryessa, six contracts expire in 2008/
2009 and one interim contract expires in 2007. The VSP will be used as 
a basis for future concession contracts.

DATES: Reclamation will not make a decision on the proposed action 
until at least 30 days after release of the Final EIS. After the 30-day 
waiting period, Reclamation will complete a Record of Decision (ROD). 
The ROD will state the action that will be implemented and will discuss 
all factors leading to the decision.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a compact disc or paper copy of the Final EIS, 
please e-mail Ms. Janet Sierzputowski at jsierzputowski@mp.usbr.gov or 
write Ms. Sierzputowski at Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way (MP-
140), Sacramento, CA 95825. The Final EIS may be viewed on the Region's 
Web site at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project--
ID=41. Copies of the Final EIS are available for review and inspection 
in public libraries in the project area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Pete Lucero at 707-966-2111 x106, 
fax 707-966-0409, or e-mail: plucero@mp.usbr.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Lake Berryessa was created as part of the Solano Project with the 
completion of Monticello Dam in 1957. In 1958, Reclamation and the 
County of Napa entered into an agreement for Napa County to assume 
recreational management responsibilities for the lake. A Public Use 
Plan (PUP) was developed by the National Park Service in 1959 to guide 
Reclamation and Napa County in the development of recreational 
facilities at the lake. In 1975, Reclamation resumed direct management 
of Lake Berryessa as a result of Title VI of the Reclamation 
Development Act of October 27, 1974 (Pub. L. 93-493), which authorizes 
Reclamation to provide for the protection, use, and enjoyment of the 
aesthetic and recreational values at Lake Berryessa. In 1987, a new 
planning process began to develop an updated management document for 
the lake. A Reservoir Area Management Plan (RAMP) was developed to 
provide guidance for Reclamation in management issues which were not 
mentioned in the PUP and to assist Reclamation in administering the 
lake and concession areas. Reclamation completed a Final EIS for the 
RAMP in 1993.
    Presently there are seven concessionaires authorized by Reclamation 
to provide commercial support services to Lake Berryessa visitors. 
These seven concession contracts have been in effect since the late 
1950s. One of the contracts will expire in 2007 and the other six will 
expire by 2009. Reclamation also administers two day-use areas and a 
public boat launching facility as well as numerous roadside turnouts 
and trails. The east side of the lake has been designated a State 
Wildlife Area and is managed cooperatively by Reclamation and the 
California Department of Fish and Game.

Visitor Services Plan (VSP)

    The VSP will identify and develop the types and levels of 
recreation support services and facilities to be provided both 
commercially and by the government at Lake Berryessa. Some of the 
issues to be addressed in the VSP include day use needs, long-term and 
short-term recreational vehicle and trailer sites, retention or 
elimination of exclusive long-term trailer sites as presently operated, 
campground development, marina development, consolidation or expansion 
of existing commercial operations, new services development and 
construction, retention or removal of existing facilities, food and 
beverage service needs, overnight lodging facilities, and support for 
marine-based activities such as fishing (individual and tournament), 
swimming, water skiing, etc.

Additional Information

    Additional information is available at the Web site: https://
www.usbr.gov/mp/berryessa.
    A Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS was published in the 
Federal Register on October 31, 2003 (68 FR 62097). Notices to extend 
the comment period were published on February 13, 2004 (69 FR 7261) and 
on May 4, 2004 (69 FR 24668). The last extension of the comment period 
ended on April 22, 2004. The Final EIS contains responses to all 
comments received and reflects comments and any additional information 
received during the review period.
    Reclamation's practice is to make any communication related to 
proposed projects, including names and home addresses, available for 
public review. Individual respondents may request that we withhold 
their home address from public disclosure, which will be honored to the 
extent allowable by law. There may be circumstances in which a 
respondent's identity may also be withheld from public disclosure, as 
allowable by law. If you wish to have your name and/or address 
withheld, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your 
communication. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and 
from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials 
of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public 
disclosure in their entirety.

    Dated: September 30, 2005.
Alan R. Candlish,
Acting Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 05-22025 Filed 11-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P