COME TO LAKE MEAD JULY 4 WEEKEND TO COOL OFF, BUT LEAVE YOUR GLASS,

Date: July 2, 2009
Contact: Andrew Munoz, 702-293-8691

COME TO LAKE MEAD JULY 4 WEEKEND TO COOL OFF, BUT LEAVE YOUR GLASS,
STYROFOAM AND FIREWORKS AT HOME

LAS VEGAS – The National Park Services is expecting Lake Mead National
Recreation Area to be busy over the 4th of July holiday. The hot and sunny
weather forecasted this weekend, make Lake Mead and Lake Mohave a perfect
place to cool off. As visitors pack for their fun weekend on the lake, park
rangers would like to remind visitors to bring plenty of water, sunscreen
and their life jackets, but leave fireworks and glass and styrofoam
containers at home.

Park rangers are encouraging visitors to purchase "lake friendly" products
made of paper, plastic, and aluminum.

The superintendent of Lake Mead National Recreation Area prohibited glass
and styrofoam containers in the entire park in new closures released in
March 2009.

Glass containers had previously been permitted in most of the park, except
certain areas such as Boulder Beach. The closure to styrofoam is new. Both
rules have been instituted to reduce litter and make beaches safe from
broken glass.

“We will be focusing our efforts this summer on informing visitors of the
new rules, and encouraging them to purchase more lake friendly products
such as paper, plastic, and aluminum. Visitors can also help by cleaning up
after themselves and throwing away their trash.” said Chief Ranger Mary
Hinson.

What this means for visitors is no more glass bottled wine or beer.
Alternatives are now available with plastic bottles and cans and boxed
wine. The classic styrofoam ice chest and even traditional instant
cup-of-noodles are no longer welcome.

The Placer Cove area on Lake Mohave, near Nelson, Nev. has also been closed
to alcoholic beverages in the new rules.
This according to Hinson is to make the area more family friendly.

The alcohol closure is in effect within a one-mile radius of the cove.

“Our goal with these new rules is to keep visitors safe and to keep the
recreation area clean so that they can enjoy their time here.” said Hinson.

Fines begin at $100, but won’t go into effect for the new glass and
styrofoam rules in areas where they were previously permitted until January
2010. Park rangers hope the education effort this summer will keep them
from having to issue fines.

A full compendium of park designations, closures, permit requirements, and
other restrictions can be found at:
http://www.nps.gov/lame/parkmgmt/docs.htm.

- NPS -