The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland District (Corps) will host a series of public meetings Feb. 23-28 to gather input that will help inform the agency’s long-term plan for resource management at Foster and Green Peter lakes, located near Sweet Home.
Referred to as master plans, the documents the Corps is updating for the two project locations essentially serve as blueprints that outline strategies for overseeing and protecting all recreational, natural, and cultural resources within the managed area of land. They also ensure that government agencies follow federal regulations and national goals in a comprehensive and consolidated manner.
The Corps last updated its master plan for Foster and Green Peter in 1987. The new plan, which the agency expects to finalize in fall 2024, will guide management of non-water resources at the two lakes for 20 years.
"We're excited to bring our communities to the table as we revise our plan for long-term public use and land management for Foster and Green Peter reservoirs," said Erik Petersen, the Corps’ Willamette Valley operations project manager. “These two gems are ultimately here for the public. And that's what we do—serve the public—so the only right way to define the path ahead is to collaborate with our neighbors."
The plan for the two sites will include an Integrated Environmental Assessment to ensure the Corps complies with the National Environmental Policy Act. Environmental assessments identify potential impacts of the proposed implementation of a master plan and specify measures to help mitigate those impacts.
The Corps encourages public participation during the development of this plan. Those interested can learn more about the master plan process and how to provide comments at the public meetings or by visiting www.FGPL-MasterPlan.com.
The Corps will offer four public meetings at the following locations:
LebanonThursday, Feb. 23, 6-8 p.m.Linn-Benton Community College, Lebanon Center Annex, Room LCX10344 Industrial Way, Lebanon, OR 97355
AlbanyFriday, Feb. 24, noon to 2 p.m.Riverfront Community Center, Room Riverview I489 Water Ave NW, Albany, OR 97321
Sweet HomeSaturday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to noonSweet Home Senior Center880 18th Ave., Sweet Home, OR 97386
VirtualTuesday, Feb. 28, 1-3 p.m.To get the link for the meeting, visit www.FGPL-MasterPlan.com.Interested parties may find additional information and submit written comments on the Foster and Green Peter Master Plan website at www.FGPL-MasterPlan.com
The Corps is welcoming public comments by email to FGMP@ageiss-inc.com or in writing to the following address:AGEISS Inc.1401 Marvin Rd, Suite 307, #517Lacey, WA 98516The deadline for submitting comments is March 24.
Background: Foster and Green Peter lakes are part of the Corps’ Willamette Valley System of 13 dams and reservoirs, which span from Detroit to Cottage Grove. Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938, the Willamette Valley System was built between 1940 and 1969. In 1944, Congress authorized the Corps to add recreational amenities to its reservoir sites, which brought recreation opportunities to Corps-owned lands across the valley. Today, the Corps is the largest provider of water-based outdoor recreation in the nation. The Portland District, which built and maintains the Willamette Valley System, manages 184,000 acres of public lands and water and welcomes 4.5 million visitors to its recreation sites annually. Master plans guide the Corps’ responsible management of lands and natural resources at these sites. For more information about Portland District master plans, visit www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects-and-Plans/Master-Plans/
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