POMEROY, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District (Corps) is revising the Master Plan (MP) for the Lower Granite Project.
Public scoping for this effort will take place from March 22 through April 22 2017. The Corps invites comments from the public regarding management of natural resources and recreational opportunities that should be considered for the Lower Granite Master Plan. Public comments received during this process will be considered during development of the draft MP. The Corps will also prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to address potential effects associated with MP revision. The Corps will consider all comments received.
The Master Plan is the strategic land-use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all recreational, natural and cultural resources on Corps-managed land associated with Lower Granite Lock and Dam, throughout the life of the water resource project.
Lower Granite’s existing 1974 MP and other associated documents are available for review on the Corps’ website http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Locks-and-Dams/Lower-Granite-Master-Plan/.
Comments may be submitted via email at LowerGraniteMP@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: OD-T Lower Granite Master Plan
201 N. 3rd Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Two open-house-style public scoping meetings are also scheduled:
Wednesday, March 22, 2017, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Formal presentations at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Multipurpose Room, Clarkston Campus, Walla Walla Community College, Clarkston, WA
Thursday, March 23, 2017, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Formal presentations at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Sterling Room, Holiday Inn Express Hotel, Pullman, WA
What is a Master Plan?
A master plan is the guidance document that describes how the resources of the project will be managed in the future and provides the vision for how the project should look in the future. It’s typically updated every 20 years. The master plan does not address issues such as flood risk management (levees/dams/channels/etc.), operational areas (dam, navigation lock, fish passage facilities, power house, etc.) and water level management, which are addressed in other guidance documents.
Development of the revised master plan will include consideration of regional and ecosystem needs as well as public interests and desires.
The Lower Granite Master Plan Revision’s main objectives is to create a Master Plan that balances public use of federal lands and waters with the conservation and protection of natural resources to ensure a sustainable future for the project.
Lower Granite Master Plan was last completed in 1974, and a lot has changed since then:
• The 1974 Master Plan focused on initial recreational development and less on natural resources and fish and wildlife.
• Original land classifications do not meet current Corps regulations.
• There are new invasive and ESA-listed species to be considered in the management of project lands and waters.
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