ANNOUNCEMENTS
We continue strong efforts to gain support and obtain federal funding for updates to the Corps of Engineers Lake Texoma 1976 Environmental Impact Statement, 1978 Master Plan and1996 Shoreline Management Plan and to address other issues and improvements indicated on this web site.
  • Texas and Oklahoma federal, state and local representatives and officials.
  • Lake Texoma area businesses and organizations.
  • Boaters, fishermen, hunters, other recreational and wildlife enthusiasts and their organizations.
  • Be involved, you can make a difference!

HOT ISSUES
Go button

Oklahoma Lake Texoma State Park (Oklahoma Land Conveyance) EIS Scoping Report Summary, See Appendices for project descriptions and public comments.
Go button Eagles at Lake Texoma
Witness the evolution of a cove under development.
Supplement to Lake Texoma Environmental Impact Statement is Required
Why We Are Losing Prime Boating, Fishing, Hunting and Outdoor Recreation Areas?
What Can We Do About the Issues?
Who to Write to?
Little Mineral EIS (Denison Land Conveyance) Scoping Report Summary, See Appendix D for proposed development drawings and Public Scoping Comments in Appendix F.

Overview Lake Texoma Plans, Economy and EIS

Lake Texoma Master Plan and Operational Management Plan

Lake Texoma is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District and Lake Texoma Office using a set of federal plans for Lake Texoma a Civil Works Project. The top level plans are the Master Plan and the Operational Management Plan that work in tandem. The master plan covers all resources, including but not limited to fish and wildlife, vegetation, cultural, aesthetic, interpretive, recreational, mineral, commercial, and outgranted lands, easements, and water. Objectives and implementation plans are established for each area of emphasis: Natural Resources Management and Park Management. The Operational Management Plan carries out the objectives in the Master Plan.

In Operational Management Plans, emphasis is given to achieving environmental mandates and other environmental considerations of a national, regional or ecosystem nature. Emphasis shall also be given to achieving economy in planning, designing, constructing, and managing recreational facilities.

The Lake Texoma Master Plan provides for “onshore” zoning and land use for all covered federal lands. The zoning or land classification is stated in Corps of Engineers document, Recreation, Operations and Maintenance Guidance and Procedures, EP 1130-2-55, paragraph 3.5g. A balance is established and maintained for public recreation and protection of the environment, fish and wildlife. The Master Plan zoning covers onshore federal lands down to the lakes water edge.

High-Density zoning is established for onshore recreation land that is developed for intensive recreational activities by the visiting public, including developed recreation areas and areas for concession, resort, and quasi-public development, e.g. hotels, lodges, cabins, RV camp grounds, marinas (including boat houses and docks), parks, golf courses.

Low-Density zoning is established for limited public recreation use such as hiking, primitive camping, wildlife observation, hunting or similar low density recreational activities.

Environmentally sensitive areas zoning is for areas where scientific, ecological, cultural or aesthetic features have been identified. Normally limited or no development of public use is contemplated on land in this classification. No agricultural or grazing uses are permitted on this land.

Lake Texoma Environmental Impact Statement

The Lake Texoma Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) establishes and maintains the foundation for the Lake Texoma Master Plan, Shoreline Management Plan and other Lake Texoma plans using a structured public participation process. The Lake Texoma EIS is comprehensive, in depth, must consider the cumulative effects for the entire lake and establishes a professional basis for required future planning and development. It differs greatly from an EIS for a specific construction proposal on the lake. The key to the EIS is to balance the concerns for public use, recreation and the environment.

The Lake Texoma EIS should include but not be limited to; Human Environment, Air Quality and the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act/Waters of the U.S., Cultural Resources,  Endangered and Threatened Species, Essential Fish Habitat, Fish and Wildlife Coordination,  Floodplain Management, Invasive Species, Migratory Birds,  Natural Areas, Prime and Unique Farmlands, Riparian Areas, Scenic Beauty, and Wetlands.

The EIS provides essential information that can be used to update the other plans such as onshore and shoreline zoning of Corps of Engineers managed federal land and economic development around the lake. For example, the Lake Texoma EIS (1976) must be updated first in order to update the Shoreline Management and Master Plans.

Additional EIS information is provided in “Why do we need an Environmental Impact Statement?” and “Briefing, Lake Texoma Economic Engine and EIS” in this section.

Shoreline Management Plan

The purpose of the Shoreline Management Program is to protect and manage shorelines of all Civil Works water resource development projects under Corps jurisdiction in a manner that promotes the safe and healthful use by the public while maintaining environmental safeguards to ensure a quality resource for use by the public. The objective of all management actions is to achieve balance between permitted private uses and resource protection for general public use.

The Lake Texoma Shoreline Management Plan provides zoning of the lake shoreline and waters and for certain permitted uses such as “private” boat houses and docks and vegetation control. The shoreline, coves and land up to the high water lake level for the proposed areas have a shoreline allocation of one of the following classifications.

Protected or Aesthetic Areas are those areas designated to maintain or restore aesthetic, fish and wild life, cultural or other environmental values. Shoreline may also be so designated to prevent development in areas that are subject to excessive siltation, erosion, rapid dewateringr or exposure to high wind, wave, or current action and/or in areas in which development would interfere with navigation. No Shoreline Use Permits for floating or fixed recreation facilities will be allowed in protected areas. Some modification of vegetation by private individuals, such as clearing a narrow meandering path to the water, or limited mowing, may be allowed only following the issuance of a permit if the resource manager determines that the activity will not adversely impact the environment or physical characteristics for which the area was designated as protected. In making this determination the affect on water quality will also be considered.

Limited Development Areas are those areas in which private facilities and/or activities may be allowed consistent with paragraph 8 (Existing facilities under Permit) and Appendix A (Guidelines for Granting Shoreline Use Permits) of Corps of Engineers document ER 1130-2-406. Modification of vegetation by individuals may be allowed only following the issuance of a permit.

Public Recreation Areas. Are those areas designated for commercial concessionaire facilities, federal, state or other similar public use. No private shoreline use facilities and/or activities will be permitted within or near designated or developed public recreation areas (example private boat houses). The term “near” depends on the terrain, road system, and other local conditions, so actual distances must be established on a case by case basis in each project Shoreline Management Plan. No modification of land forms or vegetation by private individuals or groups of individuals is permitted in public recreation areas.

Prohibited Access Areas. Prohibited Access areas are those in which public access is not allowed or is restricted for health, safety or security reasons. These could include hazardous areas near dams, spillways, hydro-electric power stations, work areas, water intake structures, etc. No shoreline use permits will be issued in Prohibited Access Areas.

Lake Texoma Plan Updates
 
Essential Lake Texoma plans require funding for updating as soon as possible. The Lake Texoma Master Plan is dated 1978, the Environmental Impact Statement 1976 and the Shoreline Management Plan 1996. All of these plans are required to be updated every five years according to Corps policy and regulations.

Strong recommendations have been made to the Texas and Oklahoma congressional delegations and other organizations. Reference “Letter to Congressional Delegations” on EIS in this section.

Resolutions have be unanimously passed by the Lake Texoma Association, a chamber of commerce organization for the lake, and the Lake Texoma Advisory Committee sponsored by the Corps of Engineers and comprised of representatives from the Red River states of  Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Quality of Life

Lake Texoma contributes greatly to a quality way of life and environment.

It attracts businesses, employees, full/part-time residents, retirees and visitors.

 

Future Planning and Development for Lake Texoma

Joint long-range planning should be completed based upon the updated Lake Texoma EIS, Master Plan and Shoreline Management Plan.

We continue to support compatible land and economic development around Lake Texoma.