News Release

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED LOW WATER AMENDMENT TO LAKE MEAD GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

Date: October 3, 2017

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA News Release

For Immediate Release: October 3, 2017
Release No.: 2017-56
Contact: Christie Vanover, 702-293-8691

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED LOW WATER AMENDMENT TO LAKE MEAD GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

BOULDER CITY, Nevada – Lake Mead National Recreation Area officials have been developing a plan to address operational needs for Lake Mead in the event that water elevation decreases below 1,050 feet. The purpose of this plan is to provide a long-term strategy for addressing operational needs to maintain lake access and to provide safe and diverse recreational opportunities.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area has been operating under a Low Water Amendment to its General Management Plan since 2005 because of persistent drought that has lowered the water level of Lake Mead. The current plan addresses management down to a lake elevation of 1,050 feet. The current water elevation at Lake Mead is 1,081 feet. Bureau of Reclamation projections over the next 24 months suggest levels could decline to 1,069 feet.

An environmental assessment is being prepared for a second General Management Plan Amendment to guide operations down to a lake elevation of 950 feet. There are no projections that indicate the lake will reach 950 feet, but park officials are preparing the planning document to identify steps necessary for continued operation at each of the lake’s access sites at various elevations. The location and size of lake access facilities will be consistent with the zoning and density goals and the objectives of the Lake Management Plan.

The environmental assessment will provide a decision-making framework that analyzes all reasonable alternatives to meet the objectives of the proposal; evaluate potential issues and impacts to resources and values; and identify mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of these impacts.

Because public participation is essential to the success of the planning process, the National Park Service encourages the public to comment during the 30-day public scoping period. Public meetings will be held Oct. 11 and 12 to present preliminary alternatives and to outline the planning process.

The meetings will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the following locations:

• Oct.11, Mohave County Library, Kingman Branch, 3269 North Burbank Street, Kingman, Arizona
• Oct. 12, Henderson Heritage Park Senior Facility, 300 South Racetrack Road, Henderson, Nevada

Comments and recommendations regarding the scope of the environmental assessment will be accepted through Nov. 5. They may be submitted by U.S. Mail to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Compliance Office, 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 89005 or online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/.

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