News Release Archive

Public Scoping for Makah Community Water Source Study Begins

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Dave Nelson, dnelson.1lcao001@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: April 26, 2006

Reclamation Lower Columbia Area Office Portland, Oregon

Media Contact: John Redding (208) 378-5212 jredding@pn.usbr.gov Dave Nelson (503) 872-2801 dnelson.1lcao001@pn.usbr.gov TTY/TDD: 711

For Release: April 26, 2006

Public Scoping for Makah Community Water Source Study Begins

The Bureau of Reclamation is evaluating the water supply needs of the Makah Indian Reservation, located at the northwest point of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, about 66 miles west of Port Angeles, Wash.

The Makah Community Water Source Project Feasibility Study will identify the most effective methods of providing a safe and reliable water supply to meet the Reservations commercial and domestic demands through the year 2050.

Meeting the water supply needs of the Reservation may have adverse impacts to environmental and cultural resources. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts of its proposals and actions.

An Environmental Assessment is being prepared to determine whether adverse impacts would result from implementation of the proposed solutions. The results of the EA will be considered by Reclamation in deciding whether to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact or to require additional environmental analysis.

The EA will present an analysis of the physical, biological, social, and economic effects of the project. Any mitigation needed to reduce impacts will be identified. As part of the process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed in the EA and for identifying the important issues related to the proposed action, Reclamation invites public comments on these and other issues identified as important.

Written comments and/or requests for the draft EA when it becomes available can be mailed to Dave Nelson, Lower Columbia Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 750, Portland OR 97232. Comments may also be sent by fax to (720) 544-0612 or by email to makah@do.usbr.gov. Scoping information is also available on Reclamations website, www.usbr.gov/pn. Mr. Nelson may be reached by phone at (503) 872-2801. Comments and requests must be received by May 26.

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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.