RAYSTOWN LAKE, Pennsylvania — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Raystown Lake invites the surrounding communities to participate in open house meetings Aug. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Raystown Lake Visitor Center (6993 Seven Points Rd. in Hesston) to provide input on the Raystown Lake Master Plan revision.
The format for both meetings will be the same, and the open house setting allows the public to participate in information sharing sessions at their convenience.
“The constructive and valuable feedback we received in April has helped the team shape the way forward, and the public feedback gained at the August meetings will continue to assist us in developing a draft master plan for the public,” said Col. John Litz, Baltimore District commander.
Each open house will offer members of the public time to discuss their input regarding the Raystown Lake Master Plan revision as well as ask questions and hold small group discussions with Army Corps project team members. All comments and feedback gathered during these open house meetings will be used as official feedback for the master plan revision.
About the Raystown Lake Master Plan Revision
The Raystown Lake Master Plan serves as the land-use document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all recreational, natural and cultural resources throughout the life of the lake. A Master Plan serves as the lake’s guide for future recreation activities, development, preservation and cultural resources.
Master Plans have no set timeframe for revisions, but they are developed to have an effective lifespan of 15 to 25 years. The current Master Plan for Raystown Lake dates back to 1994. Legislation contained in the 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvement for the Nation Act (WIIN), Section 1309, requires the Master Plan for the Raystown Lake be updated. The revision is also a part of a larger, Corps-wide effort to bring master plans up to date across the country.
The primary goals of the Raystown Lake Master Plan revision are to prescribe an overall land-use management plan, resource objectives, and associated design and management concepts for the Raystown Lake Project.
The revised Master Plan will be a project-centered document designed to provide a framework for consistent, responsible decision-making for the next 15 - 25 years for Raystown Lake. The Master Plan revision will not change the technical operations of the lake as related to its primary missions of flood risk management, downstream low-flow augmentation for water quality, and hydroelectric power generation.
The Master Plan revision process is anticipated to take place during the next two years and will include data collection, resource analysis, National Environmental Policy Act requirements, and a public comment period.
The current 1994 Raystown Lake Master Plan, along with other project information and materials, can be found on the project’s web page at: www.nab.usace.army.mil/Raystown-Master-Plan-Revision/
Comments will be accepted until September 30, 2018, and can be sent digitally to RaystownMPrevision@usace.army.mil or via mail to the following address:
Raystown Lake Office
6145 Seven Points Road
Hesston, PA 16647