January 11, 2001
John Redding
(208) 378-5021
Carolyn Stone
(208) 378-5395

Reclamation Seeks Public Comment for
Lake Cascade Resource Management Plan

The Bureau of Reclamation will hold public hearings in Boise and Cascade, Idaho, to receive public comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment for its update to the Lake Cascade Resource Management Plan.

Hearings will be held at the following locations and dates:

Boise Date: January 31 (Wednesday) Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. - Open House 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. Presentation 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. - Hearing Place: BLM Conference Room 1387 South Vinnell Way Boise, Idaho (Across from Wal-Mart)

Cascade Date: February 1 (Thursday) Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. - Open House 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. Presentation 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. - Hearing Place: American Legion Hall 105 East Mill Street Cascade, Idaho

The updated RMP will serve as a blueprint for the future use, management, and site development of Reclamation lands and resources surrounding Lake Cascade for the next 10 years. The EA document's main purpose is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with a proposed federal action – in this case, implementing the updated RMP.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Reclamation has examined a range of alternatives to implement the RMP, including a no action alternative which basically maintains the status quo. Preliminary alternatives were presented to the public at public meetings and workshops held in Boise and Cascade in February, 2000. Public input received at those meetings helped shape the preferred alternative as presented in the Draft EA.

Each meeting will begin with an hour-long open house followed by an informative presentation summarizing the contents of the document. After the presentation, a formal public hearing will be held, providing an opportunity for verbal comment on the contents of the Draft EA. Speakers will be called in order of their requests. Requests to comment may also be made at each hearing and speakers will be scheduled to follow the advanced requests. Comments will be limited to 3 minutes and will be recorded by a court stenographer to be included in the hearing record. The locations, dates, and times of the public hearings are listed above.

The meetings will be conducted in facilities that meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special accommodations to attend, participate in, or understand the meetings please contact Connie Wensman, PN Region Accessibility Coordinator at (208) 378-5317 at least 10 days before the scheduled meeting. TDD # 1-800-377-3529.

Copies of the Draft EA can be obtained from Reclamation at the contact listed at the end of this announcement, or accessed via Reclamation's website at www.pn.usbr.gov. The document is also available for review at public libraries in Cascade, Boise, Nampa, McCall, Caldwell, and Parma, as well as at Reclamation's Boise and Cascade offices. In addition to accepting verbal comments at the public hearing, Reclamation will accept written comments through February 22.

Reclamation recently prepared and distributed its sixth Newsbrief, which presents more information on the status of the RMP Update process, key issues being addressed, the public involvement process, and the Draft EA alternatives. A copy of the Newsbrief can be viewed on Reclamation's website at www.pn.usbr.gov/project/rmp/cascade_pub/pdf/Cnewsbr6.pdf, obtained at the public meetings, or by contacting Carolyn Burpee Stone, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise ID 83706-1234, by phone: (208) 378-5395, fax: (208) 378-5305, or e-mail:CSTONE@pn.usbr.gov.

Questions about the RMP Update are welcome, and press briefings can be arranged as requested.