Posted on August 10, 2022
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, has released the new Alvin R. Bush Dam Master Plan (“2022 Master Plan”) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) that will serve as the guiding document for decision making at the lake for next 15 to 25 years.
This revision is a part of a larger, USACE-wide effort to bring all master plans up to date across the country.
The 2022 Master Plan will provide guidance for stewardship of natural resources and management for long-term public access to, and use of, the natural resources at Alvin R. Bush Dam, including the land classification of the USACE-managed lands.
The 2022 Master Plan reflects changes in land management classifications to align with current USACE regulations and guidance that have occurred since the 1964 original Master Plan was drafted. It also incorporates community input related to enhancements and opportunities at the project site. The draft plan was available for public comment from March 22 to April 20, 2022.
The 2022 Master Plan also refines land classifications to be consistent with authorized project purposes and current resource objectives. This includes a mix of natural resource and recreation management objectives compatible with recreation trends and regional goals established by stakeholders and USACE during the master planning revision process.
The 2022 Master Plan does not change the technical operations of the lake as related to its primary mission of flood risk management; it provides a management framework that balances the stewardship of natural resources and provision of high-quality recreation activities. It also provides a discussion of factors influencing resource management and development, including descriptions of existing development, and considerations of future development activities.
It is important to note that the 2022 Master Plan does not appropriate money to enhancements discussed in the plan, but effectively portrays where projects could be authorized if funding or a strategic partnership were to become available for implementation.
The final Master Plan, previous master plan and additional information can be found on the project website: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dams-Recreation/Alvin-R-Bush/ARB-Master-Plan-Revision/
About Alvin R. Bush Dam
The Alvin R. Bush Dam project has prevented an estimated $293.8 million in flood damages for the local community since its construction was completed in 1962. Alvin R. Bush Dam is located in Clinton County on Kettle Creek, approximately 8.4 miles above the mouth of the creek and about 15 miles above Renovo, Pennsylvania. Alvin R. Bush Dam is an earth and rockfill dam structure. The project controls a drainage area of 226 square miles or about 92 percent of Kettle Creek. The project reduces flood heights of Kettle Creek below the dam and of the West Branch below the mouth of Kettle Creek. The recreational facilities are operated and maintained by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These recreation facilities include an 1,800-acre park with a boat launch, picnic areas and campgrounds.
Baltimore District celebrates 175 years of Service to our Nation in 2022
Since the Nation’s fight for independence, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has played a vital role in developing our Nation. The Baltimore District has a long and storied history that extends as far back as the early 1800s when USACE constructed Fort McHenry, successfully shielding Baltimore against British attacks in the War of 1812. And when the threat of coastal attack diminished in the 1820s, Baltimore District turned its attention to developing roadways, railways, canals, and more, marking the beginning of the District’s Civil Works mission. Baltimore District delivers vital engineering solutions in collaboration with its partners to serve and strengthen the Nation, energize the economy, and reduce disaster risks. Baltimore District has an extensive flood risk management program, inspecting nearly 150 miles of levee systems and operating 16 dams, translating to the prevention of more than $16 billion of flood damages to date. The district maintains 290 miles of federal channels, including dredging the Baltimore Harbor, which material is beneficial mainly for restoration missions, such as the expansion of Poplar Island in the Chesapeake Bay. The district has vast ecosystem restoration missions that include restoring native oyster populations in the Bay. Baltimore District is the only district to operate a public utility — the Washington Aqueduct — that produces an average of 135 million gallons of drinking water per day at two treatment plants for approximately one million citizens living, working, or visiting the National Capital Region. The district also cleans up formerly used defense sites, decommissions and deactivates former nuclear power plants, and performs cleanup of low-level radioactive waste from the Nation’s early atomic weapons program. Baltimore District executes a robust military construction program and provides real estate services. These civil and military missions and diverse engineering services support communities and warfighters while addressing the ever-growing list of emerging national security requirements and ultimately protecting the Nation.
For more information, please visit www.nab.usace.army.mil/.
