 |
United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT California State Office 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W1834 Sacramento, CA 95825-1886 |
 |
MAR 22 2001
2000(P)
CA-912
Mr. Lester Snow
Regional Director
Mid-Pacific Region
Bureau of Reclamation
2800 Cottage Way
Sacramento, California 95825
Dear Lester:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has had the pleasure of working with your staff over the last year on a management analysis study regarding the future of Lake Berryessa. While a draft of that report has not yet been completed, we have been kept informed of the Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) ongoing work concerning concession contract compliance and the proposed Visitor Services Plan (VSP). We are also aware that your agency is planning an upcoming open house to discuss a wide array of management issues at the Lake with permittees. In discussions with your staff, BLM and Reclamation have mutually agreed to the following:
- BLM strongly supports Reclamation's efforts to improve existing conditions in the concession areas and the planning direction for future concession contracts. Both agencies agree that the sanitation, visitor access, day use, and other management problems at the Lake must be corrected.
- BLM will continue to work cooperatively with Reclamation on the Visitor Services Plan, as well as ongoing regional resource projects.
- While these efforts are underway, BLM and Reclamation agree that the Management Analysis Study examining various future management options should be put "on hold" and not finalized pending further progress on the areas ongoing health and safety infractions, development of mitigation plans and eventual compliance. We also believe that the current efforts towards completion of VSP efforts should be finalized prior to any change in management structure.
We have also discussed this issue with Representative Mike Thompson and he has informed us he concurs with this approach. While I will encourage our staff in the Ukiah Field Office to stay in touch with your staff regarding this issue, I propose revisiting the management analysis in eighteen months and determining at that time the best way BLM can work with you and all those who are interested in Lake Berryessa's future.
Sincerely, // s //
Mike Pool
State Director