Lake Mead National Recreation Area Sustainable Low Water Access Plan and Environmental Assessment

This document is the Sustainable Low Water Plan (plan) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Lake Mead National Recreation Area and accompanied Programmatic Agreement (PA) Amendment under Section 106. This document and the PA will be open for comment through August 4th, 2023. This latest release is the next step in planning around access for future motorized boat launching and related activities at Lake Mead. The plan/EA 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 possible.

The NPS is seeking public comments on this project in compliance with both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The NPS seeks comments on effects on historic properties from the proposed work in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The identification and evaluation of historic properties and determinations of effect cannot be completed prior to the completion of the environmental assessment (EA) needed for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), making the execution of a Programmatic Agreement (PA) for this Project an appropriate course of action under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, pursuant to 36 CFR 800.14(b)(1)(ii). The PA is necessary as the NPS needs to complete the NEPA process, but cultural compliance cannot be completed due to existing water levels. The NPS seeks public comments on the draft PA. Consultation with Tribal Nations and the Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer and the Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer for this PA is ongoing.

To be most helpful, your comments should address: 1) the purpose and need for action; 2) the environmental issues/impact topics analyzed; 3) your opinions on the alternatives, including mitigation measures which could reduce potentially harmful effects; and 4) the information used to describe the affected environment and environmental consequences.

Comments which are not helpful include those which: 1) vote for or against a potential management strategy or alternative without giving reasons why; 2) agree or disagree with laws, regulation, or National Park Service policy; 3) discuss other projects or other areas that are not related to the plan; and 4) contain vague language or open-ended questions or statements.

A public meeting took place on July 10, 2023 to share information about this project. The link to the recording is shared in the document list.

Topic Questions Instructions:

To be most helpful, your comments should address: 1) the purpose and need for action; 2) the environmental issues/impact topics analyzed; 3) your opinions on the alternatives, including mitigation measures which could reduce potentially harmful effects; and 4) the information used to describe the affected environment and environmental consequences. Comments which are not helpful include those which: 1) vote for or against a potential management strategy or alternative without giving reasons why; 2) agree or disagree with laws, regulation, or National Park Service policy; 3) discuss other projects or other areas that are not related to the plan; and 4) contain vague language or open-ended questions or statements.

Topic Questions:

1. Please leave your comments for the plan/EA here:

2. Please leave your comments for the draft programmatic agreement (PA) amendment here:

Document Content:

LAKE SLWAP EA 508_July 2023.pdf   (8.1 MB, PDF file) DRAFT SLWAP EA PA Amendment.pdf   (248.6 KB, PDF file) https://youtu.be/XAFo9r-9b1M    Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.