August 24, 2005

Lake Berryessa 2003 VSP Resort Owners Plan (ROP)

July 15, 2005
     
Dear Congressmen and Interested Parties: (Summary)

The future of Lake Berryessa is at a critical juncture. Bureau of Reclamation submitted the Draft Environmental Impact Study [DEIS] October, 2003 with Alternatives A, Preferred Alternative B, Alternative C and Alternative D. In the comment period numerous responses were made. It is important that decisions regarding the fate and future use of the lake are made based on accurate information. To assist you in grasping the situation we are including the key related documents. The documents include:

1] 1959 Public Use Plan [PUP]
2] 1980 Public Law 96-375
3] 1992 Recreation Area Management Plan [RAMP]
4] 1993 Record of Decision [ROD]
5] 2004 Rancho Monticello Resort /The Whites response to the DEIS
6] 2005 Resort Owners Plan [ROP] response to the DEIS
7] 2004/2005 Summers+Summers Economic Analysis Alternative B

Conclusion

The premise of this document is to create a viable plan, as H.R.4818 VIII – Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act recognizes fees should be commensurate with the benefits and services provided to the visitor. Concessionaires and Reclamation are mandated to provide facilities and services to the public for recreational use. The ROP represents the interests of all parties for the greatest benefit to the American public.

Resort Owners Plan for the Future of Lake Berryessa
The Resort Owners Plan uses the development that has occurred over the last 46 plus years and creates the format for positive future use and development that protects the resources and recreational uses of Lake Berryessa for generations to come. ROP represents a synthesis of Alternative A and Alternative C, in contrast to Reclamation’s Preferred Alternative B. The ROP is a representation of the goals of this Administration and American principles.
– ROP page 64-65

Summers & Summers Economic Analysis

 “Long-term use (or “trailer”) site rental fees alone account for approximately 40% of concessionaire revenues.  If other concession expenditures by trailer owners are included, these lake users account for between 50% and 60% of total revenues.  Eliminating this revenue source by requiring the removal of all trailer sites thus represents a dramatic change in the concessionaire business model.  It additionally would force the new concessionaire to rely upon less profitable concessions.  The claim that the new concessionaire would achieve greater revenue on these less profitable ventures (net of the current revenue from trailer site rental fees) despite a dramatic reduction in facilities is pure fantasy.” - 2004 Summers & Summers Economic Analysis / Executive Summary

Robert White
Lake Berryessa Resort Owners Association