The Draft EA identifies the concerns, issues, and analyses related to the modernization effort. The document addresses issues obtained during the July 6 - August 15, 2011, public scoping period. The comment period ends on Jan. 31, 2012. A final EA is expected in March 2012. The purpose of the modernization project is to increase the plant's operational reliability by replacing and repairing components that are exhibiting substantial age-related wear. The core operation of the plant depends on six pumps and six pump-generating units that require frequent maintenance and challenging repairs due to their age.

The John W. Keys, III Pump-Generating Plant provides irrigation water to about 670,000 acres of farmland in the Columbia Basin Project. It has a hydroelectric generating capacity of 314 megawatts and has been in operation since the early 1950s.

The Draft EA describes three alternatives, including a preferred alternative:

- No Action: Reclamation would continue operating the John W. Keys, III Pump-Generating Plant's pump and pump-generating units under the existing maintenance program.

- Plant Modernization: Reclamation would overhaul and modernize the pump and pump-generating units. This would include work on the unit controls, transformers, circuit breakers, and the fire protection equipment.

- Preferred Alternative - Plant Modernization with Left Powerhouse Decoupling (Disconnecting): Reclamation would overhaul and modernize the pump and pump-generating units. The pumps will be disconnected from the Grand Coulee left powerhouse and directly linked to BPA's transmission grid.

A Draft EA is available at the Grand Coulee Public Library, 225 Federal Road, Grand Coulee, Wash. The Project Summary is posted at www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/wash/jkpgp/index.html For more information contact Keith McGowan, Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, Columbia Cascades Area Office, 1917 Marsh Road, (CCA-1607), Yakima, WA 98901-2058 or by email at kmcgowan@usbr.gov .