Yellowstone Releases Lake Area Plan For Public Review

A plan to chart the future of the Lake area of Yellowstone National Park has been released for public review.

This section of the northwest shore of Yellowstone Lake is known for its spawning streams and grizzly bear habitat. It is also home to iconic historic structures such as the Lake Hotel and the Fishing Bridge Museum.

The Lake Area Comprehensive Plan Environmental Assessment addresses and puts limits on what kind, where, and how much future development could occur at Lake Village, Fishing Bridge, and Bridge Bay.

This plan addresses changes in resource conditions, recently identified needs, and aging infrastructure such as 70 year old water and sewer lines.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) and an electronic form to submit comments on the internet can be found on the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/lakecompplan.

A hard copy of the EA is available upon request by writing to the Lake Comprehensive Plan EA, National Park Service, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190.

Park staff members will hold a series of public meetings during the 30-day public review period to answer questions about the plan:

-Wednesday, Feb. 8 in Cody WY: Holiday Inn, 1702 Sheridan Ave.
-Wednesday, Feb. 15 in Bozeman, Montana: Hilton Garden Inn, 2023 Commerce Way
-Thursday, Feb. 16 in Jackson, WY: The Lexington (Formerly the Trapper Inn), 285 N. Cache

Each public meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a short presentation, and will continue with an open house format until 8:00 p.m.

Written comments may be submitted through the PEPC web site, in person, or by mail. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax, or e-mail. All public comments must be received or postmarked by midnight, March 2, 2012.

Once comments are analyzed, the National Park Service will make a decision on the final plan. Details of the decision will be contained in the decision document signed by the Regional Director of the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service. The decision document will be made available on the previously mentioned website.