PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will host an open house on October 10, 2024, to kick off a process to revise the 1971 Beltzville Lake Master Plan. The open house will be held from 4-6 p.m. at the Towamensing Township Volunteer Fire Company, 105 Firehouse Road, Palmerton, PA 18071.
During the open house session, there will be no formal presentation or public comment session. The public is invited to visit at any point during the 4-6 p.m. timeframe to interact with USACE team members. Team members will be stationed around the room and can share information about the revision process, provide the general schedule, and gather initial feedback from the public.
Master Plan Overview
The Master Plan is defined as the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the life of the water resource development project. It defines "how" USACE will manage the resources for public use and conservation.
The current Beltzville Lake Master Plan, last approved in 1971, needs revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and the USACE management policy. Key topics to be discussed in the revised MP include revised land use classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs, and special issues such as invasive species management and threatened and endangered species habitat.
The Master Plan revision WILL NOT address the technical and operational aspects of the lake related to flood risk management or the water conservation missions of the project.
Initial Comment Period
An initial 30-day comment period will begin October 10, 2024, and end November 9, 2024; however, there will be future comment periods associated with the draft document. The public can send comments, suggestions, and concerns during this time. Comments must be submitted in writing at the open house or digitally via the comment form on the Master Plan Revision webpage:
https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Beltzville-Dam/Beltzville-Dam-Master-Plan/
The webpage also contains a presentation which will be available during the open house. The presentation provides a schedule as well as details on an additional comment period after the draft report is released (currently scheduled for October 2025).