Corps of Engineers invites public comment
SUBJECT: Public Scoping Meetings for the Foster and Green Peter Lakes Master Plan and Integrated Environmental Assessment
Dear Interested Stakeholder,
In February 2023, the Corps will hold four public meetings to better understand how users view the resources at Foster and Green Peter lakes. The Corps is collecting feedback regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each area, the challenges facing each area, and opportunities for improvement. This valuable feedback will inform the development of the master plan and resource objectives.
Three in-person scoping meetings and one virtual scoping meeting will be held as follows:
Lebanon
Thursday, February 23, 2023 | 6-8 p.m.
Linn-Benton Community College
Lebanon Center Annex, Room LCX103
44 Industrial Way, Lebanon, OR 97355
Albany
Friday, February 24, 2023 | noon-2 p.m.
Riverfront Community Center
Room Riverview
489 Water Ave NW, Albany, OR 97321
Sweet Home
Saturday, February 25, 2023 | 10 a.m.-noon
Sweet Home Senior Center
880 18th Ave, Sweet Home, OR 97386
Virtual
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 1-3 p.m.
Virtual
www.FGPL-MasterPlan.com
In addition to this invitation to the public meetings listed above, the Corps would also like to engage with stakeholders for their input on land management concerns as they pertain to recreation and environmental stewardship at the lakes. This is a great opportunity to identify future goals, opportunities, and issues that will affect management of the area. Please feel free to provide your thoughts to be considered during plan development and provide comments on upcoming draft documents when they become available in June 2024.
The Corps encourages and appreciates your participation and feedback. Written comments may be submitted during the scoping meetings, or by mail to:
AGEISS Inc.
1401 Marvin Rd. NE, Suite 307, #517
Lacey, WA 98516
or electronically by:
Online: www.FGPL-MasterPlan.com
What is a Master Plan and why is it important?
Master plans are required for civil works operating projects administered by the Corps of Engineers. These plans provide natural resource management planning strategies and ensure adherence to federal regulations and national goals in a comprehensive and consolidated manner. They establish a vision for future natural resource management and guide responsible stewardship and sustainable use of resources for the benefit of present and future generations. The master plan will include an integrated environmental assessment for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. For more information on master plans, please visit https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects-and-Plans/Master-Plans/.
Although master plans may touch on the following topics as they relate to land use, master plans do not directly address regional water quality, water supply, water level management, hydropower, navigation, shoreline management, or flood risk management.
The goals of this master plan include the following:
- Provide the best management practices to respond to regional needs, resource capabilities and suitability, and expressed public interests consistent with authorized purposes for the next 20 years.
- Protect and manage natural and cultural resources through sustainable environmental stewardship programs
- Provide outdoor recreation opportunities that support project purposes and public demands created by the project itself while sustaining project natural resources
- Recognize the qualities, characteristics, and potentials of the project
- Provide consistency and compatibility with national objectives and other state and regional goals and programs
How can you help?
Public involvement is key to these updates. The Corps would like to understand the information and levels of engagement that you may be interested in for participating in the master plan process. If you would like to be involved in this process, please make plans to attend our public meetings or reply to this email and include the ways you would like to be involved.
If you know anyone else who would like to be involved, please forward our request, or reply to this email with their contact information so that the Corps can reach out to them.
Thank you for your consideration.
