News Release Archive

Reclamation Schedules Public Open House Scoping Session on Lake Berryessa Long-Term Concession Development

Media Contact: Janet Sierzputowski, 916-978-5100, JSierzputowski@usbr.gov

For Release: January 07, 2014

NAPA, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office, is planning long-term concession development at Lake Berryessa, the reservoir for Reclamation’s Solano Project. This scoping session will initiate the environmental review process that will take place under the National Environmental Policy Act. Reclamation is looking for suggestions and ideas to assist in the evaluation of resources and recreation needs at Lake Berryessa and ensure that the Solano Project will continue to provide flood protection for Winters and other downstream communities; high-quality water for Vacaville, Suisun City, Vallejo, and Fairfield; irrigation water; and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Reclamation will hold an Open House to present the public with preliminary planning information for long-term concession development and solicit input on topics to be addressed in the environmental review process, including significant issues/concerns and the types of facilities/services visitors would want. The information provided will assist with the preparation of a prospectus to plan, authorize and manage future commercial concession services at Lake Berryessa. The Open House will be held:

Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014: The public may drop by any time between 4-7 p.m. at the Napa Elks Lodge #832,
2840 Soscol Avenue, Napa, CA 94558

In December 2012, Reclamation terminated the former concessionaire’s contract for their failure to comply with their contract terms. As part of Reclamation’s continued implementation of the 2006 Record of Decision for Future Recreation Use and Operations of Lake Berryessa (http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/documentShow.cfm?Doc_ID=2745), Reclamation is involved in a commercial services planning process that will culminate in the development and management of necessary and appropriate long-term recreation facilities and services at five Lake Berryessa concession areas. The planning process is identifying the appropriate mix of services and facilities that will be financially feasible and sustainable over the term of new long-term concession contracts.

Written suggestions and/or ideas on the scope of the planning must be received by close of business Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, and sent to Jeff Laird, Bureau of Reclamation, Lake Berryessa Field Office, 5520 Knoxville Road, Napa, CA 94558, or emailed to jlaird@usbr.gov, or faxed to 707-966-0409. For additional information, please contact Laird at 707-966-2111 ext. 0 (TTY 1-800-877-8339).

To request special assistance to attend the Open House or to be added to the Lake Berryessa email or mailing lists, please contact Janet Sierzputowski, Public Affairs Office, at 916-978-5112 (TTY 1-800-877-8339) or jsierzputowski@usbr.gov. For additional information on Lake Berryessa, please visit the project website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/index.html.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.