meeting administration and objectives the partnership understanding the study area what we heard ...

Meeting Administration and Objectives The Partnership Understanding the Study Area What We Heard Alternatives to be Evaluated Participant Discussion Next Steps Adjourn to Open House

Pagers and Cell Phones Restrooms Meeting Breaks–You’re not glued to

your seat! Critique ideas, not people… show

respect for the views of others Ask honest questions- make clear

comments

Avoid Side Conversations Listen with an open mind Focus on functional, constructive

comments Thirty second soapbox? Communicate effectively by actively

listening Enjoy our time together

Introduce the Partners & the NEPA Process

Present the Alternatives to be Evaluated for the Environmental Assessment (EA)

Take comments or questions related to the study area and/or the Proposed Alternative

Understand the Next Steps and How You Can Continue to Provide Input

Reclamation

Reclamation’s Role in this Project• Land Owner of Lake Pleasant Regional

Park• Maricopa County operates the Park

under the Recreational Management Agreement of 1990

• Reclamation must approve the Recreation Management Plan, triggering NEPA

• The NEPA Process (National Environmental Policy Act)

Lake Pleasant Regional Park is surrounded by BLM, Arizona State Trust Land, and private land.

Management actions taken within Lake Pleasant Regional Park potentially affect adjacent lands.

The goal is seamless recreational opportunities for you.

“Partners” approach first used in developing the Agua Fria Conservation Area Management Plan.

The Partnership

• Reclamation• Bureau of Land Management• Prescott National Forest• Arizona State Land Department• Arizona Game & Fish Dept• Yavapai County Planning• Maricopa County Parks & Recreation

Dept• Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office• City of Peoria

• Your input is essential to the NEPA Process

• As land managers, we are responsible for balancing recreation with protection of sensitive resources.

Public Input

Maricopa County Parks & Recreation Department

• Manage Lake Pleasant Regional Park (LPRP)

• Lake Pleasant Master Plan Completed in 1995 – 4 years of multi-agency planning and extensive public input.

• Master Plan determined: A Conservation Area is Limited access and development which will preserve riparian areas.

• These areas will have Class III or Class IV accessibility.

Class III – Facility access requires assistance from staff or companion. Terrain is rugged.

Class IV – Facility is not accessible due to rough terrain. 

• Increased Use Advanced Area Planning

Bureau of Land Management

Castle Hot Springs Special Recreation Management Area

(SRMA)

Black Canyon SRMA (motorized and non-motorized)

Table Mesa Recreation AreaBlack Canyon National Recreation Trail (corridor)Wickenburg-Lake Pleasant Regional Park-Black Canyon Trail Corridor

Open space scenic & visual High quality trail system

• Hells Canyon Wilderness

• Maricopa Co. Trail System

• Humbug Mining Resource protection Legal public access

Bureau of Land Management

• Designate roads and trails

• Identify long-distance corridors

• Emphasize recreational opportunities

• Connect to LPRP and other recreational areas

Castle Hot Springs SRMAKey Decisions

Understanding the Study Area

Study Area – Land Ownership

Study Area – Sensitive Habitat

Study Area – Wildlife Corridors

Study Area – Tortoise Habitat

Study Area – Bald Eagle Closure

A desire to recreate in the area and have some type of “legal” access to the water

A desire to have more connectivity in trails, and to long-term routes (i.e., Wickenburg, Table Mesa)

A desire to keep the area somewhat primitive in nature

All comments were compiled and considered for alternative analysis

Current Legal Routes –BLM inventoried routes (2001), and Park Castle Hot Springs and Cow Creek roads

Conservation – BLM conservation concept and implement Park 1995 Master Plan

Proposed Management Plan – Balance recreation and protect sensitive areas

Receive Public Comments by July 22nd

Review Public Comments and Evaluate Alternatives for Consideration

Draft the Environmental Assessment (EA)

EA Available Tentatively late 2011/early 2012 – for public comment

By Mail: • Bureau of Reclamation, 6150 W

Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, AZ, 85306-4001, ATTN: PXAO-1500/NLP

By E-Mail: NLPRec@blm.gov For Info:

• www.maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant/nlp.aspx

• Sandra Eto, Reclamation – 623.773.6254