News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft EA for W.C. Austin Project, Safety of Dams Modification

Media Contact: Precious Braggs, (405) 470-4825

For Release: September 08, 2015

ALTUS, Okla. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released a Draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed W.C. Austin Project, Safety of Dams Modification Project, for public review and comment. The comment period closes on Friday, October 9, 2015.

The purpose of the proposed action is to maintain authorized W.C. Austin Project purposes while reducing the risk of dam or dike failure, thereby reducing risk to downstream property and public safety.

The proposed project involves backfilling the drainage trench at Lugert Dike and East Dike B and raising all dikes to elevation 1,573 mean sea level. This action is necessary to correct unsafe conditions and to prevent possible loss of life, property, water storage and other project purposes. Reclamation invites public comments concerning this EA and our preliminary determination that no significant impacts would be associated with the proposed action. The Draft EA will be open for public comment for 30 days. To view the Draft EA and submit comments online, visit www.usbr.gov/gp/otao/altus/index.html.

The Draft EA can be viewed at the following locations:

Bureau of Reclamation
Oklahoma Texas Area Office
5924 NW 2nd Street, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73127-6514

Lugert-Altus Irrigation District
1421 West Ridgecrest
Altus, OK 73522

Altus Public Library
421 N. Hudson St.
Altus, OK 73521

Quartz Mountain Nature Park
43393 Scissortail Road
Lone Wolf, OK 73655

Comments on the Draft EA may also be sent via email to: pbraggs@usbr.gov; or via postal mail to: Precious Braggs, Bureau of Reclamation, 5924 NW 2nd Street, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73127; or faxed to 405-470-4807.

Comments will be accepted until midnight on Friday, October 9, 2015. For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA, please contact Precious Braggs at 405-470-4825 or pbraggs@usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Oklahoma-Texas Area Office Home Page