NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) has introduced the Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act, H.R. 4521, legislation to transfer recreation management at Lake Berryessa from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Bureau of Land Management.
“I introduced this legislation to put the right federal agency in charge of managing recreation at Lake Berryessa,” said Thompson.
He said that, as it is currently structured, the Bureau of Reclamation – an agency tasked with managing water resources – is responsible for managing concessions and recreation at Lake Berryessa.
However, Thompson said the Bureau of Reclamation shouldn’t be responsible for recreation at the lake because that agency doesn’t do recreation, BLM does.
“This legislation has strong support in the local community and has over 150 bipartisan cosponsors in Congress because transferring management to BLM is the right thing to do,” Thompson said.
Transferring recreational management authority from the Bureau of Reclamation to BLM will allow for more effective management of concessions and recreation activities, which is needed to enhance the visitor experience, increase tourism and revitalize the local economy, Thompson said.
BLM, the agency charged with managing outdoor recreation on public lands, has extensive experience managing outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, fishing, camping and boating. BLM is the federal agency best-suited to manage recreation at Lake Berryessa, according to Thompson.
The Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act gives BLM the ability to implement a management plan that is appropriate for the lake. Thompson said the bill also provides protections for recreational uses and water rights, while allowing the Bureau of Reclamation to continue managing the Monticello Dam and its related facilities.
The Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act is supported by the Napa County Sheriff's Office and the county of Napa, and has more than 150 bipartisan cosponsors in the House of Representatives. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
REGIONAL: Thompson introduces legislation to transfer Lake Berryessa management to BLM
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On