Lake Mead National Recreation Area resumes public engagement on low water access management planning Public meetings to be held the week of July 10
BOULDER CITY, Nev. – Lake Mead National Recreation Area today released an environmental assessment (EA) as part of its Sustainable Low Water Access Plan (SLWAP) for Lake Mead. The EA will be open for comment through August 4.
This latest release is the next step in planning around access for future motorized boat launching and related activities at Lake Mead.
In addition to the release of the EA, the public is invited to attend a second round of public meetings to discuss the preferred alternative for motorized boat operations. Public comments on the park’s SLWAP were previously compiled during public scoping during the winter of 2022 and have been released for public review.
During the public scoping session, Lake Mead received 1,049 public comments submitted to the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site by email to staff, as well as written comments sent to the park’s administrative offices. Park officials sought public input to better understand concerns about the future of motorized boating access to the lake. This public feedback informed the selection of the preferred alternative and management direction to ensure launch ramps and other park facilities and services stay operational where feasible in 2023 and beyond.
“We are excited to move forward with the next phase of public engagement with our local communities and stakeholders,” said acting Superintendent Mike Gauthier. “We have received critical feedback to date, we have carefully considered what we have heard from you, and we look forward to working together to find the best path forward for preserving boating access.”
The SLWAP focuses on maintaining visitor services, marinas, and launch ramps at Hemenway Harbor, Callville Bay Marina, Echo Bay, Temple Bar Marina, and South Cove to the extent feasible.
The public scoping meetings will include a presentation on the preferred action alternative that allows the NPS to maintain recreational motorboat access in the event water declines to 950 feet.The presentation will also include other management alternatives for the public’s consideration and discussion. Detailed information about the management alternatives being considered is available on the project website. Meetings will be held at the following times and locations:
- Virtual – Monday, July 10, 2023: 5-6 p.m., Pacific Standard Time
- Boulder City, NV -- Tuesday, July 11, 2023: 5-7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time at Boulder City Recreation Center; 900 Arizona St., Boulder City, NV
- Kingman, AZ – Wednesday, July 12, 2023: 5-7 p.m., Pacific Standard Time at the Beale Celebrations Building, 201 N. 4th Street, Kingman, AZ.
While unexpected high snowpack has increased runoff and water levels at Lake Mead in 2023, the NPS must be prepared to adjust and respond if water levels decline below roughly 1,000 feet in the subsequent years.
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