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McNary Why We’re Updating the Plan Most of the shoreline on McNary Dam’s reservoir (Lake Wallula) is federally managed. As a good environmental steward, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, manages public shorelines around Lake Wallula, including both the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Tri-Cities area (Pasco, Richland, Kennewick) of Washington. The McNary Shoreline Management Plan was last revised in 1983. Environmental and cultural resource requirements have changed significantly, thus necessitating management updates and a review of the permitting process for private boat docks permitted or licensed on public land, and modifications to vegetation located on federally managed lands. Purpose of the Plan The McNary Shoreline Management Plan provides guidance for managing the McNary (Lake Wallula) shoreline. This plan addresses rules and regulations, shoreline allocations and requirements for permitting private use of public lands managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Process
The
Corps conducted a public meeting on Sept. 18, 2006, in Pasco, Wash., to
present an overview of the existing plan and discuss present
requirements. The meeting was designed to receive public input on
updates to the McNary Shoreline Management Plan. Nearly 100 people
participated in the meeting, which provided them with the opportunity to
ask questions, discuss concerns and provide ideas for future management.
In 2011, the Corps completed formal Endangered Species Act consultation with National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal government's experts regarding endangered salmon, steelhead trout and bull trout. The final updated 2011 Shoreline Plan addresses policies and procedures regarding private docks on public lands and the modification of vegetation on federal property. The updated plan provides criteria for design and construction of private docks (including grandfathered docks) and vegetation modification as part of the District’s efforts to balance environmental stewardship and legal requirements with the public’s desires for recreation.
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