News Release Archive

Reclamation takes another step toward recreational development at five areas around Lake Berryessa

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: January 10, 2018

FOLSOM, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has finalized the documents that evaluate the installation of infrastructure that would make permanent recreational development possible at five sites around Lake Berryessa, Napa County.

A Final Environmental Assessment released, Wednesday, Jan. 10 authorizes conceptual site plans at the following recreation areas, from north to south: Putah Canyon, Monticello Shores, Berryessa Point, Spanish Flat and Steele Canyon.

The environmental assessment considered the effects of installing facilities such as wastewater treatment and disposal, electrical distribution and access such as roads and parking areas required for development of permanent recreation facilities not currently offered at these sites. The facilities considered were based on the core, essential infrastructure needed to support the management direction in the Lake Berryessa Reservoir Area Management Plan and subsequent Visitor Services Plan.

Future concessionaires would have opportunity to utilize this analysis and streamline the approval process should they propose to Reclamation similar designs, numbers and locations of entry stations, marinas, boat launches, campgrounds, lodging units, RV campsites, day use amenities and other conceptual elements associated with development of recreational facilities at the five areas or could propose other services. However, divergent service proposals outside of those analyzed in this EA may require some additional environmental analysis by the developers prior to site activity.

Reclamation considered various levels of development during its planning process and refined the conceptual site plans based on a market assessment, a financial feasibility evaluation and input received from the public during the planning process.

The Final EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=29586. For questions on this project or to request a copy of the document, please contact Bonnie Van Pelt at 916-537-7062 (TTY 800-877-8339) or bvanpelt@usbr.gov.

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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.