News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Use of Trinity Reservoir Water to Supplement Flows in the Lower Klamath River

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: July 17, 2013

SHASTA LAKE, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for using Trinity Reservoir-stored water to supplement flows in the Lower Klamath River to lessen the likelihood of a fish disease outbreak and fish mortalities during late summer.

Projections of a large run of adult Chinook salmon to the Klamath River Basin and dry hydrologic conditions have prompted federal staff and Yurok and Hoopa Valley tribal staff to consider supplementing flows to the Lower Klamath River between August 15 and September 21. Reclamation estimates that up to 62,000 acre-feet of water could be used to supplement Lower Klamath River flows. Use of the water would be informed by real-time environmental and biological monitoring by federal, state and tribal biologists.

The Draft EA/FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=14366. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Written comments on the Draft EA/FONSI must be received by close of business Wednesday, July 31, and should be sent to Don Reck, Bureau of Reclamation, Northern California Area Office, 16349 Shasta Dam Blvd., Shasta Lake, CA 96019, or faxed to 530-276-2005 or emailed to sha-slo-klamathflows@usbr.gov.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/FONSI, please contact Reck at 530-275-1554 (TTY 530-275-8991). Copies of the documents may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Northern California Area Office at the above address.

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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:

http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=14366