Army Corps Seeks Public Input on Fern Ridge Master Plan Update

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced outreach Jan. 19 as part of an effort to update the nearly 40-year-old master plan for the Fern Ridge lake and recreation area near Veneta. The Corps says the update will proceed through the National Environmental Policy Act process and is asking lake users to help identify data gaps, resources of concern and alternatives to consider.

Two opportunities for public participation are scheduled this week: a virtual session on Wednesday, Jan. 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., and an in-person meeting on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Veneta Community Center from 9 to 11 a.m. The Corps has posted project materials on its project web page and is accepting comments via the contact email provided on that site for additional information and formal submissions.

For Lane County residents, Fern Ridge functions as a daily destination for anglers, boaters, birdwatchers and families who use the reservoir and its trails, boat ramps and picnic areas. A master-plan update can influence where the Corps invests maintenance dollars, how shoreline and habitat are managed, and which recreation amenities are prioritized. It also shapes long-term operational decisions that affect water levels, public access and maintenance scheduling.

The NEPA framework means the Corps will evaluate environmental effects and weigh alternatives before settling on a preferred course. Public input at this stage is intended to help fill gaps in local data, highlight resources of special concern and suggest alternatives the Corps should analyze. That local knowledge can include user patterns, wildlife observations, erosion or access issues, and priorities for future improvements.

The Corps manages many federal water resources projects, and master plans provide the blueprint for balancing multiple uses with environmental stewardship and safety. For communities around Fern Ridge, an updated plan could affect day-to-day experiences at the lake as well as longer-term planning by Lane County and nearby municipalities that coordinate on recreation and conservation.

Residents who want to participate should attend one of the scheduled sessions or submit comments through the Corps project web page or the contact email listed there. The Corps will incorporate public feedback into its NEPA process as it develops and evaluates alternatives.

This outreach is the first formal step in a process that will determine priorities at Fern Ridge for years to come; local voices will help shape how the lake balances recreation, wildlife and infrastructure needs moving forward.