U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo has called a meeting at Lake Lowell on Saturday on the future of boating and other recreation at the lake, a national wildlife refuge. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is in the process of creating a new comprehensive management plan that could threaten some traditional uses, including power boating. “Recreation is a vital part of our lifestyle and our economy, as well as a historical use of Lake Lowell,” Crapo said.  “I am encouraged by the strong response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s call for public comment, but the comment period for the new management plan is scheduled to close in mid-September.  Now is the time for recreationalists and residents to weigh in and let our elected leaders, as well as the Service, know their feelings about the future use of Lake Lowell.”

The meeting will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the west end of Lake Lowell, at Lower Dam, south of Nampa. Crapo noted local irrigators helped create Lake Lowell, which is fed by canals supplying water to local agricultural users and property owners.  Irrigators, recreational groups and elected officials will all be in attendance for the lake meeting.  County commissioners, members of the Idaho House and Senate, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Officials, boaters and recreational interests and businesses will attend.