March 9, 2001
John Redding
(208) 378-5212
Carolyn Burpee Stone
(208) 378-5395

Extended Public Comment Period For Lake Cascade RMP

The Bureau of Reclamation has extended the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Assessment of the Lake Cascade Resource Management Plan to allow additional comments on the issue of re-opening a nearby airstrip.

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 main purpose of the Draft EA is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with implementing the updated RMP.

Reclamation’s Draft EA was released for public review on December 20. The 60-day public review period closed on February 22. During that time, Reclamation received numerous written comments and heard public testimony. A large number of comments were in favor of reopening the airstrip which lies on Reclamation land and located adjacent to Lake Cascade.

The proposed modification to the preferred alternative would re-open the airstrip for recreational fly-in, boat-in, and camping day use. However, environmental issues would still have to be addressed, such as monitoring the nearby bald eagle nest as well as other bald eagle habitat in the Lake Cascade area.

The additional comment period runs until March 28. Reclamation requests that comments be limited to this airstrip issue only, as 60 days has already been provided for comments on other aspects of the Draft EA.

To send written comments or to obtain more information, contact Carolyn Burpee Stone at the Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise ID 83706-1234. Comments may also be faxed to (208) 378-5305.

 

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