The Office of Inspector General investigated an anonymous complaint that the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) intended to award a noncompetitive 30-year concession contract to John and Linda Frazier to operate the Markley Cove Marina on Lake Berryessa in Napa Valley County, CA, potentially violating USBR and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) regulations. The complainant stated that USBR's former Mid-Pacific Region director may have arranged this contract and that high-level USBR and DOI executives may also have been involved.
At the time of our investigation, the Fraziers were operating the marina under a short-term interim contract intended to provide uninterrupted public services on Lake Berryessa after a contract with another concessioner was terminated. USBR awarded the interim contract in accordance with its directives and standards.
The USBR officials we interviewed stated that USBR intended to open the bidding process for a competitive contract when the Fraziers' interim contract ended. We did not find any mismanagement or unlawful involvement by the former director or any other USBR or DOI executives or officials.