Panel says 'fake lakes' have untapped potential

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The nation's 1,782 man-made federal lakes, created to boost power, grow crops and control floods, have great untapped potential for fishing, boating and other recreation, a presidential commission has concluded.

Congress and federal agencies, however, pay little attention to recreation and provide insufficient funds to maintain facilities now deteriorating, the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission said in a study coming out Tuesday. Lake managers often make recreation their lowest priority because of laws, agency policies and a "corporate culture" that values traditional uses of reservoirs such as navigation and irrigation, commission members said. "In a lot of cases, it appears (recreation) is being ignored," said Richard Davies, commission vice chairman and director of the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. But as the population rises and outdoor amusement becomes more popular, the lakes' potential for holiday recreational activities has become as important as the traditional uses, the commission found. "They're great national treasures," said Tom Strickland, U.S. attorney for Colorado and a commission member. "They generate enormous social benefits in terms of recreation and just play opportunities." The lakes, found in 47 states, resulted from massive public works projects primarily from the 1950s through the 1970s. The commission, authorized by Congress in 1996 to assess lake recreation and look for ways to improve it, made 16 recommendations to address the problems, including:n Federal agencies should make recreation a higher priority, with appropriate funding and attention. - Congress should authorize a permanent fee structure at the lakes and allow more agencies to collect fees.

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