14-055 Corps seeks public input for Dworshak Reservoir Master Plan

Published July 30, 2014
AHSAHKA, Idaho – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District (Corps) seeks public input for updating the Dworshak Reservoir Master Plan and developing an associated environmental assessment (EA) for lands and waters at Dworshak Reservoir.

During the study scoping period for master plan’s environmental assessment -- July 30 through Aug. 30 -- the public is encouraged to submit ideas and comments regarding management of natural resources and recreational resources that should be included in the Dworshak Master Plan. Comments may be submitted via email at DworshakMasterPlan@usace.army.mil. To submit written comments via the U.S. Postal Service, mail them to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Walla Walla District
ATTN: Dworshak Master Plan
201 N. 3rd Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362

A master plan is a conceptual management plan for lands and natural resources of a Corps operating project. The original master plan for Dworshak was written in 1970. Since then, changes to site conditions and operations have resulted in a need to update management strategies.

In 2011, the Corps completed the Dworshak Public Use Plan as a way to address some of the changed conditions and new recreation demands. Updating the Dworshak Master Plan will build on work accomplished during development of that public use plan. A link to the 2011 Public Use Plan is available on the Dworshak Master Plan webpage at www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects/DworshakMasterPlan.aspx.

The planning team will rely heavily on previous efforts of working groups and interest groups, as well as the public input and collaboration used to develop the public use plan. The result will be a comprehensive, conceptual-level planning document to guide future use and development at Dworshak Reservoir. Finalization of the master plan will bring Dworshak into compliance with current Corps policy and facilitate future actions to support balanced management of resources at Dworshak.

The 2011 Dworshak Public Use Plan updated land use classifications which will allow the Corps to respond to changed conditions at Dworshak and accommodate a more diverse set of recreational activities. The master plan will refine resource objects and provide additional analysis required by Corps policy. The Dworshak Master Plan and EA are scheduled for completion in 2015.
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Contact
Public Affairs Office
509-527-7020
cenww-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-055