The main purpose of the Draft EA is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with implementing the proposed pipeline, fish passage, and habitat restoration project.

Reclamation is proposing to share the costs of constructing two pipelines and removing three diversion dams by matching federal dollars with non-federal dollars. Federal funds will be provided through a Secretarial Challenge Grant Program; “Water 2025: Preventing Crisis and Conflict and the West,” and Reclamation’s Water Conservation Field Services Program.

As a result of implementing the proposed project, Larson Creek would no longer be used to transport irrigation water, three fish passage barriers would be removed opening up 3 miles of stream habitat to aquatic species, and 94 acre-feet of water would be conserved annually.

The Draft EA will be made available for a 30-day review and comment period. The Draft EA can be viewed on Reclamation’s website www.usbr.gov/pn or at the Medford public library. To receive a paper copy or a CD-ROM of the Draft EA, please contact Tanya Sommer, Natural Resource Specialist, at (503) 872-2846, at tsommer@pn.usbr.gov, or at Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Columbia Area Office, 825 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 1110, Portland OR 97232.

Reclamation will accept public comment on the Draft EA until September 3, 2004. Please send written comments to Tanya Sommer, with contact information as provided above.