Lake Mead National Recreation Area Superintendent William K. Dickinson announced the extension of the diving restriction of the portion of the Lower Overton Arm until January 20, 2007:

This area remains closed to SCUBA and all forms or underwater diving unless a permit has been issued by the Chief Ranger’s Office.

The restriction is necessary to protect a sensitive archaeological resource, the submerged B-29 aircraft, while the National Park Service completes a resource protection plan for the area. The B-29, and the site upon which it rests, are managed by the National Park Service under the National Historic Preservation Act. Permits for scuba diving in this area may be obtained by contacting the Chief Ranger’s Office at 702.293.8908. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The National Park Service, working with its concession partners and members of the local dive community, are working on a site stewardship plan. Once the plan is completed and approved, the diving restrictions will be lifted.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park Service.