1. John Martin Reservoir Master Plan Revision
Karen Downey
Operations Project Manager
John Martin Reservoir
10/27/2016

2. Purpose of this Meeting
-Describe Purpose of Master Plan
-Describe the Revision Process
-Explain Why Revision is Needed
-Seek Your Participation & Input
-Answer Questions individually at
map stations
Bullet 4: How is public input collected?
Bullet 5: Once this presentation is finished, ACOE staff and CPW staff will be available to answer questions at informational booths setup around the room.

3. Purpose of Master Plans
The Corps defines a Master Plan as…
“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 resource development project.”
Source: Chapter 3 of EP available at
This definition is included in a national Corps guidance document, EP This document is available online at the site noted on the slide.
The key terms are land use management, recreational, natural and cultural resources. Cultural resources is a collective term used to describe archeological sites, historical sites and artifacts. The term “Project” is used interchangeably with the term “Lake” or “Lake Project”

4. What Master Plan’s DO
Guides the comprehensive management and development of all project recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the life of the water resource project.
Informs the efficient and cost-effective management, development, and use of project lands.
Vital tool for the responsible stewardship and sustainability of project resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

5. Key Points Regarding Master Plans
Main focus is stewardship of natural and cultural resources and operation of quality outdoor recreation areas
Proposed effective life of a Master Plan is 25 years
Recreational use of the water surface is addressed
Public participation is key throughout the revision process
Talking points:
Place emphasis on the land and recreation management focus of the Master Plan.
May want to state that land and recreation management programs must be implemented in ways that do not conflict with primary project missions of flood risk management and water conservation.

6. Additional Key Points Key sections of the Master Plan Revision include
resource management objectives
revised land use classifications
management plan for each land classification
Potential outcomes could be designation of lands for utility corridors, environmentally sensitive areas…
Protection of environmentally sensitive areas is given priority
Stakeholder and Public Input is Important
Examples of Resource Management Objectives will be provided in later slides
Land Use Classifications will be defined in later slides

7. A Master Plan is Not Is not intended to address the specifics of
regional water quality
specific management and operations issues
water level management
*These areas are covered in other plans and policies for the operation and management of the lake, lands, and resources.

8. Why Revise the John Martin Lake Master Plan?
Current Master Plan is dated November 1974 and has exceeded its useful life. The way the lake is managed today is different from the way it was managed in
Recreational trends and Federal Policy have changed in the past 40 years requiring a fresh look at land use designations.
The Master Plan must be revised to address current and future growth and changes in human and ecological factors in the region balanced with economic realities.

9. Facts about John Martin Reservoir
Construction of the John Martin Dam and Reservoir began in August 1940, but work was suspended in the spring of due to World War II. Construction resumed in the spring of and the project was completed in October 1948.
The dam was built for the purposes of flood control and irrigation.
The reservoir has a capacity of 603,500 acre-feet with 261,000 acre-feet for flood storage.
The dam is a concrete gravity structure with a spillway of 1,174 feet and 16 tainter gates, each weighing 73 tons.

10. Master Plan Guiding Policy (Chapter 3 of EP 1130-2-550)
Provide the best management practices to respond to regional needs
Protect and manage project natural and cultural resources
Provide public outdoor recreation opportunities that support project purposes and public demands
Recognize the particular qualities, characteristics, and potentials of the project
Provide consistency and compatibility with national objectives and other state and regional goals and programs
Provide the best management practices to respond to regional needs, resource capabilities and suitability and expressed public interests consistent with authorized project purposes
Protect and manage project natural and cultural resources through sustainable environmental stewardship programs
Provide public outdoor recreation opportunities that support project purposes and public demands created by the project itself while sustaining project natural resources
Recognize the particular qualities, characteristics, and potentials of the project
Provide consistency and compatibility with national objectives and other state and regional goals and programs

11. Scope of Master Plan The scope for the John Martin MP revision is to:
review the entire current 1974 Master Plan
collect data on issues affecting current and future land uses
focus on updating land classifications to better serve current and future needs and recognize regional trends and priorities
develop broad resource objectives for recreation, natural resources, cultural resources, public safety, and other topics
*The scope does not include specific management issues

12. Master Plan Next Steps
Typical lake master plan update will take 18 to 24 months to finalize. John Martin Reservoir Master Plan update is in the early stage of development
First 30 day public comment is 28 October thru 27 November
Draft MP document: months (July 2017)
Draft MP / EA public review in October of 2017, followed by another 30 day Public/Agency comment period
Final document: months (December 2017)

13. How Can I Participate? Attend Meetings
Visit our website at: Works/Recreation/John-Martin-Reservoir/Master-Plan/
Send us an
Visit with Corps personnel
Tell your friends
Fill out a comment card now or take it home and send later (30 days)
Tell folks we must have written comments for ideas to be considered
Encourage comments on:
- Land Classification
- Management Objectives

14. The End Please feel free to visit with staff members, view the
maps, ask questions and help us produce an excellent Master Plan