The Bureau of Reclamation announces that New Melones Lake will change the public use of the Mark Twain Recreation Area Lake Access, located near the Park Administration Office and Visitor Center, beginning Tuesday, April 1, 2008. The public use will change from launching trailered boats of any size to launching small boats by hand only.

Boats will be limited to canoes, kayaks, rowboats, skiffs, or small boats with up to a 10-horsepower motor that can be hand-carried. With this change in use, public vehicles, including motorcycles, will no longer be permitted to drive to the water's edge to launch boats. Vehicle access will only be allowed up to 100-200 feet from the lake at varying water levels. Other authorized recreation activities will not be affected.

This change in use will serve to enhance public safety and water quality, while providing for recreation and protection of cultural and natural resources in this area.

For detailed information on the change of use at the Mark Twain Recreation Area, visit the website http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/field_offices/new_melones/news_info/index.html. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

To view a map or gather more information regarding the change of use, visit the New Melones Visitor Center at 6850 Studhorse Flat Road, Sonora, CA 95370. The Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

To contact the New Melones Lake Administration staff, please call 209-536-9094. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.