Colusa, California - California State Parks will be hosting a public workshop to discuss the future of the Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area (SRA). The public is invited to participate and give their input at this second public workshop, which will be held on Thursday June 19, 2014 at the City of Colusa’s Boy Scout Cabin, 901 Parkhill Street, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

California State Parks will be presenting three alternatives for the future development of the SRA, which are being considered for the Colusa-Sacramento River SRA General Plan with comments and ideas received during previous outreach efforts with interested stakeholders and the public.

The alternatives include:

• Alternative 1: Minor Recreation / Habitat Focus
• Alternative 2: Moderate Recreation Use
• Alternative 3: High Recreation Use

Two of these alternatives provide for State Park facilities that would complement the City of Colusa’s proposed boat ramp project in Colusa Levee Scenic Park, with parking spaces, restrooms, camping and picnic sites. The third alternative considers options if the boat ramp project is not implemented.

The General Plan process revealed the public’s desire for multiple activities to be accommodated in the more developed southeast area of the park. Additional facilities in the southeast area could include an outdoor event center with interpretive/educational features. Potential recreational facilities in the rest of the park may include dispersed parking, multiple bicycle and walking trails, a human-powered boat launch, more fishing access points, a primitive campground, and a new RV campground. Public access to the 243-acre northern area, which was acquired in 2007, is proposed for each of the alternatives at varying levels.

Additional information and suggestions about what park resources should be studied for preservation and/or enhancement are also being sought.

"This plan will set the stage for investments that will bring recreational boaters and anglers back to Colusa, draw more visitors and improve the area’s economic vitality," said Cheryl Essex, California State Parks’ project planner. "Providing more recreational facilities will also give Colusa residents more options for engaging in healthy outdoor recreation."

The General Plan process first involves the public, scientists, technical experts and land managers in documenting and understanding the park’s important natural, cultural and recreational resources, existing uses and visitor needs. Then, plans are developed that include resource preservation and land use strategies that will best serve the public in the long term. Once a preferred plan is selected, an analysis of the potential environmental impacts of plan implementation is conducted as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Finally, the preferred plan is presented to the California Park and Recreation Commission for review and adoption. This process is expected to take about two-and-a-half years.

See the Agenda for the Public Workshop here.

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California State Parks Mission: To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.