|
National Park Service LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA News Release SERVICES TO CONTINUE AT ECHO BAY BEYOND FEB. 1 BOULDER CITY, Nev. - Land-based services will remain open at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Echo Bay under a contract amendment that was signed Feb. 1. The trailer village, RV site, land-based fuel, dry boat storage and administrative building were scheduled to close Feb. 1 after the temporary contract they operated under expired. By amending another contract within the park, these services will now remain open. "We're very pleased that we're going to be able to continue operations at Echo Bay. Nearly 200,000 people visit this area of the park every year," said Bill Dickinson, park superintendent. The park issued a prospectus for a new contract, seeking a concessioner to operate both the land-based commercial services and the marina and water-based fuel dock, but no proposals were submitted. The newly signed amendment with Forever Resorts allows land-based operations to continue, but the marina docks and water-based fuel services closed Feb. 1. "Although the marina is closed, the launch ramp and courtesy dock will remain open," said Dickinson. "Echo Bay is not closed. We encourage people to come on out and enjoy boating and fishing in the peaceful Overton Arm." Park officials are working to restore water-based fuel sales, but the process could take a few months. "Our goal is to have water-based fuel available at Echo Bay before the busy summer season," said Dickinson. "In the meantime, people are reminded to know their boats' limits. "Fill up before you head out on the water and have a communication source like a marine-band radio, in case you need to call for help," he said. The National Park Service is currently making $4.5 million in improvements to the Echo Bay Access Road to make the four-mile road safer. Crews are removing and replacing asphalt, installing new guardrail, extending drainage culverts, adding rip rap and installing new tortoise fencing. The project was funded by the Federal Lands Transportation Program. The contractor is Las Vegas Paving, and improvements are scheduled to be complete in May. Another $250,000 in improvements is being made to the water and wastewater system to replace underground piping. Photos of the facilities at Echo Bay can be viewed and downloaded at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjDtich1 . -NPS- |
Last updated: February 28, 2015