On Sept. 16, 2022, the Bureau of Reclamation released the final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact for the Kachess Dam safety project. Reclamation analyzed cost-effective measures to reduce long-term risks, per Reclamation’s Public Protection Guidelines, to maintain water deliveries throughout the Yakima basin, minimize impacts to the environment, and continue water flows for endangered species. The project area is located in Kittitas County, two miles north of Easton.  

Reclamation invited the Tribes and the public to identify issues or alternatives for consideration in the development of the EA during a 30-day public scoping period. The scoping period occurred from July 26, 2021, to Aug. 25, 2021. Reclamation considered all comments received during the scoping period and published a scoping report. A 30-day public comment period of the draft EA was open Feb. 28, 2022 through March 30, 2022.

Visit the Kachess Dam Safety of Dams Modification Project Environmental Assessment website for more information on the project.

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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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