Pennsylvania -- Authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1938, Shenango River Lake is one of 16 flood-control projects in the Pittsburgh District. The project mitigates flooding for the Shenango River Valley as well as for the Beaver and upper Ohio rivers. Since its completion in 1965, Shenango Dam has prevented more than $252 million in flood damages. The project has the capability to store the equivalent run-off of 10.5 inches of precipitation from its 589 square mile drainage area. Shenango River Lake’s flood-control benefits were demonstrated during the June 1972 flooding resulting from Tropical Storm Agnes when over $1.8 million in damages were prevented. Shenango also provides water releases during dry periods to improve water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, recreation and aquatic life.
What is a master plan?
A master plan is the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of recreation, natural and cultural resources at Corps reservoirs now and into the future. The master plan is a land use management document and does not address water management operations, associated prime facilities (dam, spillway etc.), or shoreline management as those operations are outlined in separate documents. After a master plan is revised, the operational management plan and shoreline management plan would both be revised to be consistent with the goals identified in the master plan.
Why update a master plan?
Changes in Corps regulations and community needs necessitate a revision to master plans. To ensure the master plan reflects the needs and interest of the communities they serve the needs and are adaptive to changing environmental needs, master plans are meant to be updated approximately every 25 years. Many of Pittsburgh District’s master plans have exceeded the 25 year planning horizon for which master plans are built. The master plan revision will classify the government lands around the lake based on environmental and socioeconomic considerations, public input, and an evaluation of past, present, and forecasted trends.
What does updating a master plan mean for the future of a project?
A master plan provides a set of recommended actions (e.g. trail extension, development of equestrian area, leasing, concessions, etc.). Recommended actions included in the master plan are quicker and easier to carry out. In essence, a master plan provides pre-approval for future actions under the assumption that they have already been analyzed and found to be appropriate for Federal land. Engineer Regulation 200-2-2, 9.d. provides categorical exclusion from further analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act for "All Operations and Maintenance grants, general plans, agreements, etc. necessary to carry out land use, development and other measures proposed in project authorization documents, project design memoranda, master plans are reflected in the project NEPA documents." Master plans also detail the responsibilities pursuant to Federal laws to preserve, conserve, restore, maintain, manage, and develop lands, waters, and resources. For example, if a project has active bald Eagle nests, the master plan will identify areas that must be avoided and the methods of mitigating impacts to the species.
What are the objectives of a master plan update?
A master plan revision's main objectives are to:
- Conserve the resources of the lake within the current policies and guidelines of the Corps of Engineers
- Accommodate current and projected use patterns with maximum efficiency
- Identify and protect cultural and natural resources
- Attract maximum participation by the general public and local government