The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE), invites community members to participate in shaping the future of land management at Foster and Green Peter lakes.
In-person public meetings will be held on Nov. 14 and 16, and virtually on Nov. 19. These public meetings are opportunities for individuals to voice their opinions, share their insights regarding the Master Plan (MP) and the Environmental Assessment (EA) for these public use lands.
The Foster and Green Peter Lakes Master Plan and Integrated Environmental Assessment will guide the comprehensive management and development of all recreational, natural, and cultural resources at Foster and Green Peter lakes, which are part of the Willamette Valley Project (WVP) that consists of 13 multi-purpose dams constructed between 1940 and 1969.
Master plans for these lakes were completed in 1987 and need to be updated due to changes in land use (for example, new information may indicate the need to designate environmentally sensitive areas), environmental conditions (for example, drought conditions may impact water levels), laws and regulations (for example, some plants and animals may now have protected status), and/or recreation use (for example, the use of larger RVs and boats and the popularity of paddle sports may need to be addressed).
A master plan addresses strategies for protection and management of all resources including: fish and wildlife, vegetation, mineral resources, cultural resources, interpretation, and recreation. Although master plans may touch on the following topics as they relate to land use, master plans do not directly address the following: regional water quality, water supply, lake level management, hydropower, navigation, and flood risk management.
Examples of updates to the plan include two specific areas that have been identified for potential future development as regulated boat-in camping sites, and expansion of Calkins Park at Foster Lake to include an area east of the current boat ramp that could be used for launching paddle craft such as kayaks, canoes, and SUPs. These changes, however, would require their own Environmental Assessment, and Linn County Parks would need to obtain additional funding and resources to build and manage the new recreation facilities.
As part of the Willamette Valley Project, Foster and Green Peter lakes play a critical role in the region’s natural and cultural heritage. This master plan is not only a roadmap for the comprehensive management of recreational, natural, and cultural resources, but also an essential platform for community engagement.
In-person meetings will be held: Thursday, Nov. 14, from 1-3 p.m. at the Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. SE, Albany; Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6-8 p.m. at the Linn-Benton Community College Healthcare Occupations Center, 300 Mullins Drive, Lebanon; and Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sweet Home City Hall, 3225 Main St., Sweet Home.
The virtual meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 1-2:30 p.m., accessible from the project website at www.FGPL-MasterPlan.com.
The public comment period will run from Nov. 9 to Dec. 10, 2024. Written comments can be submitted via email at [email protected].
This revised Master Plan is a significant update, replacing plans developed for Foster Lake in 1981 and Green Peter Lake in 1987. It addresses contemporary needs and challenges, while the EA evaluates potential impacts of the proposed management strategies and outlines measures to mitigate them.
Please note that while this Master Plan focuses on land management strategies, it does not cover water management issues, including water quality, supply, reservoir drawdowns, or flood risk management. Community involvement is vital in ensuring that the Master Plan reflects the values and priorities of those who enjoy and depend on these areas.
USACE encourages everyone to participate and make their voices heard in the stewardship of Foster and Green Peter lakes. For more information, or to access the draft MP, EA, and Finding of No Significant Impact, visit www.FGPL-MasterPlan.com. The plan is now posted and available to be downloaded from https://fgpl-masterplan.ageiss.com/.