Senator Spearheads Lakes Initiative

Boat/US Magazine, Nov, 2000

The shortage of launch ramps and marina slips at some federal lakes and the dilapidated or over-used boating facilities at others could be headed for history if Congress moves ahead on the National Recreation Lakes Act of 2000.

Sen. Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-AR) has drafted a bill that would put recreation on equal footing with other water uses like power generation and irrigation in the management of nearly 1,800 man-made federal lakes. It would also create a pilot program in which various agencies would develop recreationfriendly management policies and find ways to address chronic maintenance problems. About 20 lakes would be included.

Lincoln, a life-long boater and an avid water skier since childhood, announced the legislation in August while touring two lakes in her home state managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"In Arkansas we don't think twice about getting away to the lake for a weekend of boating and fishing," Lincoln said at a press conference on the shore of Ouachita Lake. "Our federal lakes and reservoirs have immense recreational value and the best way to capitalize on this potential is to ensure that recreation has a higher priority in their management."

Lincoln noted that many lakes operate under outdated policies established as long as 70 years ago. Her bill and its House companion, H.R. 4299, introduced by Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA), grew out of the recommendations made by a presidential commission last year.

The National Recreation Lakes Study Commission documented a steadily growing demand for water sports and other recreation at federal lakes. But the commission also found that declining budgets, maintenance backlogs and conflicting management policies often thwart recreation. The commission also found that while recreation is a congressionally authorized purpose for nearly all of the 1,782 lakes studied, it often takes a back seat to commercial lake uses or is ignored altogether.

Lincoln said her bill would not alter the authorized purposes of any lakes but would require the 11 federal agencies that manage them nationwide to re-emphasize recreation in their management plans.

At the demonstration lakes proposed, agencies will have the ability to cut red tape that now discourages private investment in marinas, campgrounds and resorts. It would also make it easier for state agencies to enter into partnerships to promote recreation at federal lakes.

A coalition of recreation organizations, including BoatU.S., is actively promoting both bills in Congress.