[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8363-8364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-650]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Change of Use for the Mark Twain Recreation Area Lake Access, New 
Melones Lake, Tuolumne County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION:  Notice of change in use of public access.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation's New Melones Recreation Resource 
Office will change public use of the Mark Twain Recreation Area Lake 
Access, located within a special use area, near the Park Administration 
and Visitor Center at new Melones Lake. The public use will change from 
launching of trailered boats of any size to launching of small boats by 
hand only. Boats will be limited to canoes, kayaks, rowboats, skiffs, 
or small boats with up to a ten horsepower motor that can be hand 
carried. With this change in use, vehicles, including motorcycles, will 
no longer be permitted to drive to the water's edge to launch boats or 
for other purposes. The location of vehicle access will vary due to 
fluctuating water level of the lake, irregularity of the shoreline and 
eroded nature of the former roadway which is used for lake access. 
However, Reclamation intends to manage vehicle access to allow public 
vehicles to within approximately 100-200 feet of the water. Other 
authorized recreation activities will not be affected. This change in 
use will serve to enhance public safety and water quality, while 
providing for recreation and protection of cultural and natural 
resources in the area.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The change of use will become effective April 1, 2008 
and continue indefinitely.

ADDRESSES: A map of the proposed change is available at Reclamation's 
New Melones Lake Visitor Center, located at 6840 Studhorse Flat road, 
Sonora, California 95370. The Visitor Center is open to the public from 
10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The map is also on the 
New Melones Web site at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/field_offices/new_melones/index.html. To have a map mailed to you, fax your request 
to 209-536-9652 or send your request to the address above, Attention: 
Mark Twain Change of Use Map Request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific 
Region, Public Affairs Office, at 916-978-5100, or contact Peggi 
Brooks, Resource Manager, New Melones Recreation Resource Office via e-
mail at [email protected] or by telephone at 209-536-9094.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action is being taken under 43 CFR part 
423 to protect public safety and prevent additional resource 
degradation. Reclamation will change public use of the Mark Twain 
Recreation Area Lake Access, located within a special use area near the 
Park Administration and Visitor Center at New Melones Lake. The public 
use will change from launching of trailered boats of any size to 
launching of small boats by hand only. Boat launching will be limited 
to canoes, kayaks, rowboats, skiffs, or small boats with up to a ten 
horsepower motor that can be hand carried. With this change in use, 
vehicles, including motorcycles, will no longer be permitted to drive 
to the water's edge to launch boats or for other purposes. The location 
of vehicle access will vary due to fluctuation water level of the lake, 
irregularity of the shoreline, and eroded nature of the former roadway 
which is used for lake access. However Reclamation intends to manage 
vehicle access to allow public vehicles to within approximately 100-200 
feet of the water. Boats entering the Mark Twain cove from the lake 
will be required to comply with the posted ``No Wake'' zone to provide 
for public safety.
    Presently this area is being used for shoreline fishing, swimming, 
hiking and launching of boats of all sizes via trailers and by hand. 
These multi-use activities have caused visitor conflict issues in 
addition to health and safety hazards to the public. The narrow access 
roadway to the Mark Twain Recreation Area Lake Access is via old State 
Highway 49 which ends directly at the reservoir. Below gross pool 
level, the former road is severely degraded with uneven pavement, steep 
drop-offs, ruts and gullies making it unsafe for launching of trailered 
vessels. Unrestricted vehicle access to the water's edge has resulted 
in illegal dumping of refuse and hazardous materials into the lake, 
jeopardizing water quality, and public health. Cultural and natural 
resources in this area are also being damaged by vehicles traveling 
illegally off-road and wave erosion due to operation of boats at high 
speeds. In addition, during periods of peak use the design capacity of 
this area is often exceeded, making it unsafe to operate vehicles, 
restricting access for emergency medical services, and endangering 
visitors. This congestion is causing visitors to park on the adjacent 
State Highway 49 road shoulders in an unsafe manner.
    The Mark Twain Recreation Area Lake Access will remain open to 
other authorized public recreational activities including but not 
limited to fishing, had launching of boats under ten horsepower, 
wildlife viewing, hiking, and sightseeing. Public foot and bicycle 
access will not be impeded.
    Reclamation will implement the change of use by placing vehicle 
barriers across the roadway to restrict public vehicle access to 
approximately 100-200 feet away from the water's edge. The exact 
placement of barriers will vary depending on lake elevation and 
physical constraints which could impact public safety and/or resource 
protection. Removable locking posts will be installed at different 
elevations to allow for emergency access. The public will be notified 
of the changes

[[Page 8364]]

through signage, newspaper press releases, and website postings.
    This order is posted in accordance with 43 CFR 423.60. Violation of 
this prohibition or any prohibition listed in 43 CFR part 423 is 
punishable by fine or imprisonment of not more than six months, or 
both.

    Dated: January 14, 2008.
Robert Schroeder,
Acting Area Manager, Central California Area Office.
[FR Doc. 08-650 Filed 2-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-M