September 21, 2001
John Redding
(208) 378-5212
Dave Kaumheimer
(509) 575-5848 ext. 232

Final Keechelus Report Issued

Regional Director J. William McDonald announced today the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Keechelus Dam Safety of Dams Modification, Yakima Project, Washington.

The Final EIS describes and analyzes the impacts of four alternatives that would correct safety deficiencies at Keechelus Dam, as well as the "no action" alternative which is the water level restriction implemented in November 1998 to protect public safety. The preferred alternative of modifying the existing dam would provide for the safe operation of Keechelus Dam and also maintain benefits from Keechelus Lake, including meeting existing contractual commitments for storage space for irrigators within the Yakima Project and controlling seasonal downstream flooding.

Reclamation issued a Draft EIS for the project on December 7, 2000. Public hearings were held on January 18, 2001. The 60-day comment period ended on February 9, 2001. The Final EIS includes responses to all comments received on the Draft EIS and revisions and additions to the analysis as a result of those comments, including an appendix addressing fish passage concerns.

Copies of the Final EIS are available for public inspection at Reclamation’s offices in Yakima, Boise, Denver, and Washington, DC, and at local libraries: Carpenter Memorial Library, 302 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Cle Elum WA 98922; Central Washington University Library, 700 East 8th Avenue, Ellensburg WA 98926; Ellensburg Public Library, 209 North Ruby, Ellensburg WA 98926; Yakima Valley Regional Library, 102 North 3rd Street., Yakima WA 98901; and University of Washington Campus, Suzzallo Library, Government Publications Division, Seattle WA 98195. The FEIS is also available on the Internet at: http://www.pn.usbr.gov.

A Record of Decision will be completed no sooner than 30 days after the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register. The Record of Decision will state the action that will be implemented and will discuss all factors leading to the decision. It is scheduled to be issued in October 2001.

For additional information, please contact DaveKaumheimer at the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Columbia Area Office, 1917 Marsh Road, Yakima WA 98901 or telephone (509) 575-5848, extension 232.

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