Rep. Gosar Meets with Director Tuggle On Proposed Lake Havasu Boating Closures

Statement

Today, Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after meeting with Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Benjamin Tuggle and sending a letter to reiterate concerns about the draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination (CD) for Havasu National Wildlife Refuge announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on April 12, 2016, which threatens to close significant portions of Lake Havasu to recreational boaters:

"The CD falls on the heels of a closure made by the Service last May that restricted motorized boating within the Havasu reservoir in an area that had been utilized by recreational enthusiasts for several decades. The Service enacted the May 2015 restrictions two days before Memorial Day Weekend without engaging local stakeholders or providing any opportunity for public comment.

"Considering all of the restricted areas already in place, the cumulative impact of further restrictions proposed in the CD is significant to the recreating public. The Service should have gone through the normal scoping process given the magnitude of the proposed restrictions and because the agency knew the CD would likely generate significant controversy. This process includes issuing a notice of intent, preparing an environmental impact statement and fully complying with the National Environmental Policy Act. I truly appreciate Regional Director Tuggle taking the time to meet with me today and hear concerns about the Service's flawed proposal. I hope he gives serious consideration to my three primary requests."

Source