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Thompson Intoduces Legislation Transferring Management of Lake Berryessa to Bureau of Land Managment

Press Release

Date: Feb. 11, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) introduced the Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act (H.R. 4521), legislation to transfer recreation management at Lake Berryessa from the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

"I introduced this legislation to put the right federal agency in charge of managing recreation at Lake Berryessa," said Thompson. "As it is currently structured, BOR - an agency tasked with managing water resources - is managing recreation at Lake Berryessa. BOR shouldn't be responsible for recreation at the Lake because BOR 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."

BOR, a water management agency, is currently responsible for managing concessions and recreation at Lake Berryessa. Transferring recreational management authority 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. BLM, the agency charged with managing outdoor recreation on our 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.

The Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act gives BLM the ability to implement a management plan that is appropriate for the Lake. The bill also provides protections for recreational uses and water rights, while allowing BOR to continue managing the Monticello Dam and its related facilities.

The Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act is supported by the Napa County Sherriff, the County of Napa and has over 150 bipartisan cosponsors in the House of Representatives. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


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