The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Draft New Melones Lake Area Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for a 60-day public review and comment period.  Located in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties, New Melones Lake is managed by the Central California Area Office, part of Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region. 

The Draft RMP/EIS evaluates current and future resource conditions at the New Melones Lake Area and analyzes alternative management actions.  These alternatives provide for public health and safety, recreational and land use, traffic and transportation, cultural and archaeological resources, and sensitive species and habitats.  Reclamation will be selecting an alternative that will be used to guide the management of the lake's natural, cultural, and recreational resources. 

Reclamation will hold two Open House sessions to provide project information and receive comments on the Draft RMP/EIS.  The public is welcome any time during the two Open Houses to visit with Reclamation staff at information stations, ask questions, and provide comments:

The Draft RMP/EIS may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=2536.  If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mpPublicAffairs@usbr.gov. 

Written comments on the Draft RMP/EIS are due by close of business Monday, January 4, 2010.  Comments may be submitted at the Open Houses or mailed to Ms. Melissa Brockman-Vignau, Project Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA  95630, or faxed to 916-989-7109, or e-mailed to mbrockman@usbr.gov.

For additional information, please visit the project website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/rmp.html or contact Ms. Brockman-Vignau at 916-989-7182, TDD 916-989-7285, or e-mail mbrockman@usbr.gov.