Aerial photograph of Kachess Dam and Reservoir taken by Reclamation.

The NEPA Process

Reclamation prepared the EA and FONSI according to the National Environmental Policy Act guidelines. NEPA requires that federal agencies engage the public during preparation of an EA. Reclamation is using the EA to evaluate the environmental and related social and economic effects of the Kachess dam safety project.

Engaging the Public

This virtual public meeting website was accessible 24 hours a day during the public scoping period and public comment period for the draft EA.

Scoping

Scoping is the process that continues throughout the planning and early stages of an EA preparation. Agencies use scoping to engage various stakeholders, including state, local, and Tribal governments and the public in the early identification of affected resources, issues to be considered, and potential alternatives. While not required during preparation of an EA, Reclamation chose to engage the public in a 30-day scoping period (July 26 to Aug. 25, 2021) as they developed the draft EA, which was the initial opportunity for the public to provide comments. Reclamation considered all comments and published a scoping report.

Two live virtual public meetings were recorded and are available for viewing by clicking the video thumbnails below. Additionally, the presentation and transcripts from the meetings are available as a zip file download.

Next Station: Project Overview

For more information on the Kachess Dam Safety of Dams modification project environmental assessment, please contact Candace McKinley, supervisory environmental protection specialist at BOR-SHA-KSODNEPA@usbr.gov.

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