Game and Parks delays consideration of Lake McConaughy camping changes

OGALLALA - Changes to camping regulations at Nebraska's biggest lake near Ogallala are being put on hold. For now.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission plans to delay the consideration of the "Lake McConaughy Visitor Management Plan" at a meeting on Wednesday. They will also meet with staff about public feedback and provide a report on input received.

Hundreds of people reviewed the proposed changes at an open house Thursday at the Visitor and Water Interpretive Center.

“We have listened to local citizens, officials and business owners regarding proposed changes, and we heard you. We are going to respond,” Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas said. “We realize we still have important problems to solve, but we are going to take pause in the adoption of the current recommendations to consider the full array of suggestions.”

The plan calls for changes to camping regulations to "help ensure public safety and address over-crowding and over-burdened infrastructure." The Commission will create an advisory committee to continue to develop recommendations.

“Nebraskans are passionate about outdoor recreation because it is an important part of our quality of life," Douglas said. "We appreciate the inputs we have received thus far, and we will continue to ask for suggestions on how to best move forward with the many inputs we have to achieve our common goals."

For more information, or to comment, about the proposed plan, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/LakeMacChanges.

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