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Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan, Napa County, CA

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: October 31, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 211)]
[Notices]
[Page 62097-62098]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31oc03-82]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
[DES 03-56]
 
Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan, Napa County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) and notice of public hearings.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, the Bureau of Reclamation has made available for public review 
and comment the DEIS for the Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan 
(VSP). The DEIS outlines the proposed project alternatives that seek to 
address issues related to the VSP, including the type

[[Page 62098]]

and level of facilities and services that are appropriate for future 
uses on Federal land. The current concession contracts at Lake 
Berryessa expire in 2008/2009. The VSP will be used as a basis for 
future concession contracts.

DATES: An open house will be held on November 22, 2003, from 1 to 4 
p.m.
    Two public hearings will be held on January 21, 2004, from 1 to 4 
p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Requests for special assistance at the public 
hearings should be made as far in advance of the hearings as possible, 
but not later than January 7, 2004.
    Comments on the DEIS will be accepted on or before February 4, 
2004. (See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for additional information 
on the open house, public hearings, submitting comments, and special 
assistance.)

ADDRESSES: The open house and public hearings will be held at the 
Solano County Fairgrounds, Exposition Hall, 900 Fairgrounds Drive, 
Vallejo, CA 94589.
    Send comments on the DEIS to Ms. Janet Sierzputowski, Bureau of 
Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way (Attn: MP-140), Sacramento, CA 95825. A 
copy of the Executive Summary, DEIS, and/or the technical appendices 
may be obtained by calling Ms. Sierzputowski at 916-978-5112.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Rodgers at 707-966-2111 
x106, fax 707-966-0409, or e-mail: srodgers@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 the County to assume 
management responsibilities for the lake. A Public Use Plan (PUP) was 
developed by the National Park Service in 1959 to guide Reclamation and 
the 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. All the contracts 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.

Special Assistance

    If special assistance is required, please call Janet Sierzputowski 
at 916-978-5112. If a request cannot be honored, the requester will be 
notified. A telephone device for the hearing impaired (TDD) is 
available at 916-978-5608.

Open House

    The open house will be held to provide the public with an 
opportunity to study the environmental issues addressed in the DEIS. It 
will consist of informational displays staffed by project team members 
who will be answering questions.

Public Hearings

    The public hearings will be held to provide the public with an 
opportunity to comment on the DEIS. Oral comments will be taken by a 
certified court reporter. Comments will also be taken via comment 
sheets.

Comments

    Comments will be accepted in the following formats:
    Written--Written comments should be addressed to Ms. Janet 
Sierzputowski at the address above.
    Comment Cards--Comment cards will be available to all that attend 
the public hearings. They can be returned at the public hearing, faxed 
to Janet Sierzputowski at 916-978-5114, or mailed to Ms. Sierzputowski 
at the address above.
    Electronic--Comments may be submitted electronically by e-mailing 
the project team at: jsierzputowski@mp.ubsr.gov.

Additional Information

    Additional information is available at the Web site: 
http://www.usbr.gov/mp/berryessa. Exit Disclaimer
    Comments, including the names and home addresses of respondents, 
will be available for public review. Individual respondents may request 
that their home address be withheld from public disclosure, which will 
be honored to the extent allowable by law. If they wish their name and/
or address withheld, they must state that prominently at the beginning 
of their comment. Submissions from organizations or businesses, and 
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of 
organizations or businesses, will be available for public disclosure in 
their entirety.

    Dated: September 25, 2003.
Susan Ramos,
Assistant Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 03-27497 Filed 10-30-03; 8:45 am]

 
 

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