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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is steward of lands and waters at projects it manages for the nation.

 

 

Libby Dam Master Plan 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Seattle District is working to update and revise the Libby Dam Master Plan.

The Master Plan update effort follows guidance provided in Engineer Regulation (ER) and Engineering Pamphlet (EP) 1130-2-540, Natural Resources Stewardship, Chapter 2, and ER/EP 1130-2-550, Project Operations – Recreation Operations and Maintenance Policies, Chapter 3.

This project is a coordinated effort involving team members from Libby Dam, USACE Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Real Estate, Geospatial Section and Planning, Program, and Project Management Division. The proposed Master Plan is anticipated to be released in Fall 2026.

The current Master Plan was approved approximately 25 years ago and must be brought up to date.  While the dam's overall purpose, operations and lands have not changed, the Master Plan is a tool that guides responsible stewardship of the natural and cultural resources within the dam's area of responsibility. 

Over the past few decades, there have been natural changes to the existing project conditions, the zone of influence, new special issues and unique concerns identified.  Revising the Master Plan reflects the current project conditions while providing projected future project conditions.

What is a Master Plan?

A Master Plan is a strategic planned land-use management document that guides the management and development of all project recreational, natural and cultural resources throughout the life of a project.
  • It is developed, updated or revised to cover changing conditions at the project
  • Covers broad management objectives and land classification on project lands whether managed by USACE or others
  • Ensures compliance with federal law, policy and regulation applicable to environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation management
  • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires public involvement

Why are Master Plans important?

Plans provide consistency in a world of frequently changing leadership, and:
  • Help direct project use and development to support environmental sustainability and compatible outdoor recreation
  • Position the project to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities
  • Support projects under intense pressure of competing interests
  • Prevent uninformed reactions to proposals for short-term economic gain that are incompatible with project missions

What are the goals of a Master Plan?

The primary goals are to prescribe an overall land-use management plan, resource objectives, and associated design and management concepts. Goals include:
  • Provide best management practices that can respond to regional needs, resource capabilities and suitabilities, and expressed public interests consistent with authorized project purposes
  • Provide public outdoor recreation opportunities that support project purposes and public demands created by the project itself while sustaining project natural resources
  • Protect and manage project natural and cultural resources through sustainable environmental stewardship programs
  • 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

Master Plan Maps

Libby Dam Overview
Libby Dam - Dam Site
Libby Dam - Dam Site (Topographic)
Libby Dam - Easement Lands
Libby Dam - Easement Lands (Topographic)
Libby Dam - Murray Springs and Tobacco River
Libby Dam - Murray Springs and Tobacco River (Topographic)
Libby Dam - Reregulation Lands
Libby Dam - Reregulation Lands (Topographic)

How to submit comments

The focus of the Libby Dam Master Plan revision is tied to the Natural Resources Management Program of the Corps of Engineers.  We are accepting public comments on our Recreation, Cultural/Historic Resources and Natural Resources Management programs at Libby Dam.   
 
Here are just a few of the topics of interest that will be covered in our revisions to our Master Plan.  If you have comments about any of the items below or other comments to share, please send them to libbydam.masterplan@usace.army.mil .
 
This public scoping comment period will be open from October 18 to December 2, 2022.
 
Topics in the master plan include:
  • Visitor Center
  • Recreation Management
  • Cultural/Historic Properties Management
  • Public Use
  • Partners
  • Special events
  • Special use permits
  • Facilities

Libby Dam