Huntington District, WV -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, announces the public of the release of the 2025 Draft Burnsville Lake and Sutton Lake Regional Master Plan and Integrated Environmental Assessment. This draft Master Plan is the culmination of over two years of dedicated work, during which public opinion was gathered and incorporated early in the process. The purpose of this Plan is to serve as the strategic land use management document, guiding comprehensive management and development of all recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the Burnsville Lake and Sutton Lake Project Areas. The draft Regional Master Plan and Integrated Environmental Assessment will be available for a 30-day public comment period beginning on May 1, 2025, and ending on May 31, 2025. The link to the full draft Master Plan is below. The public and stakeholders are invited to provide any comments to this email address: BurnsvilleSuttonMP@usace.army.mil
Written comments can be mailed to:
Ms. Rebecca A. Rutherford, Chief
Environmental Analysis Section, Planning Branch
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
502 8th Street
Huntington, West Virginia 25701-2070
Normally, USACE would conduct a face-to-face public workshop to announce the start of the revision and to request comments from the public. However, precautions associated with the COVID-19 virus have made it necessary to conduct the public involvement process online instead of hosting a face-to-face workshop.
Some older Master Plan documents and maps are available to download at the bottom of the page. You will also find a fillable comment form to submit comments regarding the Regional Master Plan. Provided below is the public presentation.
About Burnsville Lake and Sutton Lake
Burnsville Lake is a 962 acre reservoir located southeast of the town of Burnsville in Braxton County, West Virginia. Burnsville was authorized by the U.S. Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1938. Project purposes are, flood risk management, fish and wildlife conservation, recreation, low flow augmentation and water quality control. Land includes 13,219 fee acres and 98 easement acres. There are ten recreation areas on the project, including Corps operated campgrounds and day use areas.
Sutton Lake is a 1,520 acre reservoir on the Elk River in Braxton and Webster counties, West Virginia. Sutton Lake was authorized by the U.S. Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1938, construction was c completed in Jun 1960 and serves a drainage area of 537 square miles. Project purposes are flood risk management, fish and wildlife conservation, recreation, and enhanced recreation. Land includes 13,154 fee acres and 208 easement acres. There are ten recreation areas on the project; including Corps operated campgrounds and day use areas.
What is a Master Plan?
The Master Plan is the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all project recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the life of the water resources project. Revision of the Master Plan will not address in detail the technical operational aspects of the reservoir related to the water supply or flood risk management missions of the project. As both projects are in close proximity to each other, the revision will result in a single document addressing both projects in the form of a Regional Master Plan.
Why Revise the Burnsville Lake & Sutton Lake Master Plans?
The current Master Plan at Burnsville Lake and Sutton Lake are outdated and do not comply with current USACE guidance regarding master plans. Changes have occurred over time and need to be captured to reflect the current and future management of the projects. The current master plans and land classifications are in need of revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and USACE management policy. Key topics to be addressed in the revised Regional Master Plan include revised land classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs, and special topics such as invasive species management and protection of sensitive wildlife habitat. Public participation is critical to the successful revision of the Master Plan.