October 23, 2001
John Redding
(208) 378-5212
Carolyn Stone
(208) 378-5395

Final Environmental Assessment Issued for Lake Cascade

The Bureau of Reclamation issued the Final Environmental Assessment for the updated Lake Cascade Resource Management Plan which will serve as a blueprint for management of the popular recreation site over the next 10 years.

The main purpose of the EA is to evaluate any potential environmental impacts to implementing the updated management plan for Lake Cascade which is located on the North Fork of the Payette River near Cascade, Idaho.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, a range of alternatives was examined by Reclamation prior to choosing the Preferred Alternative. The EA proposes Reclamation implement the Preferred Alternative as a means to protect, enhance and manage the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of Lake Cascade.

The Final EA also includes a Finding of No Significant Impact, indicating that implementing the Preferred Alternative would not result in significant impacts to the natural and human environment.

To facilitate public comment, Reclamation hosted two public hearings as part of a 60-day public review and comment period. Those hearings were held in Boise on January 31, 2001, and Cascade on February 1, 2001.

The RMP document is scheduled to be released in mid December 2001. A digital version of the Final EA can be accessed on Reclamation’s website at www.pn.usbr.gov. The Final EA is also available at public libraries in Cascade, Boise, Nampa, McCall, Caldwell, and Parma, as well as at Reclamation’s Boise and Cascade offices.

Hard copies of the EA may be requested by writing to: Steve Dunn, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 214 Broadway Avenue, Boise ID 83702-7298, or by calling (208) 334-9844.

- DOI -
Visit our web site at http://www.pn.usbr.gov