Dayton, Wash. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District (Corps) is revising the Master Plan (MP) for the Little Goose Project.
Public scoping for this effort will take place from Aug. 12 through Sept. 13, 2019. The Corps invites comments from the public regarding management of natural resources and recreational opportunities that should be considered for the Little Goose 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 Little Goose Lock and Dam, throughout the life of the water resource project.
Documents and other information related to the Little Goose Master Plan revision are available for review on the Corps’ website https://www.nww.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Locks-and-Dams/Little-Goose-Lock-and-Dam/Little-Goose-Master-Plan/
Comments may be submitted via email at LittleGooseMP@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: Little Goose Master Plan
201 N. 3rd Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Two open-house-style public scoping meetings are also scheduled:
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Formal presentations at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Best Western Plus Dayton Hotel and Suites, Dayton, WA
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Formal presentations at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
Silver Room: Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center, Pasco, 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 Little Goose Master Plan Revision’s main objective 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.
Little Goose Master Plan was last completed in 1969, and a lot has changed since then:
• The 1969 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.
For more information about the open house meetings or the Little Goose Master Plan revisions, contact: Ms. Leigh Cranmer, Master Planner, at (509) 527-7137, or via email at LittleGooseMP@usace.army.mil.
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