News Release Archive

Public Comment Sought for Proposed Shoreline Protection Systems on Lake Roosevelt

Media Contact: Lynne Brougher, (509) 633-9503, 08/28/2014 14:13
Mike Williamson

For Release: August 28, 2014

GRAND COULEE, Wash. – The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public comment to identify issues to be addressed in an Environmental Assessment for the proposed construction of two shoreline protection systems to be located at Moonbeam Bay and Redford Canyon on Lake Roosevelt.

The purpose of the projects is to protect the shorelines from degradation by reducing the impacts caused by reservoir operations, recreation and natural or boat induced wave action.

Information obtained during the scoping period from September 1 through October 1 will bring focus to the concerns, issues and analyses that should be included in the draft environmental assessment. Completion of a final Environmental Assessment is anticipated in the winter of 2015.

Three proposed alternatives include:

• No Action -- Under the No Action alternative, Reclamation will not install shoreline protection systems at either location.

• Alternative A -- Install log boom systems at Moonbeam Bay and Redford Canyon to reduce environmental and human impacts to the shoreline and critical resources.

• Alternative B -- Install buoys and signage at Moonbeam Bay and Redford Canyon to deter recreational boat traffic, likely reducing impacts to the shoreline and critical resources.

Download a map of the proposed locations of the log booms: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/news/moonbeambaymap.pdf

A draft environmental assessment is scheduled to be available for public review in October 2014.

Written comments can be sent to Lon Ottosen, Bureau of Reclamation, Grand Coulee Power Office, P.O. Box 620, Grand Coulee, WA 99133 or emailed to lottosen@usbr.gov.

Comments must be received by October 1, 2014 to be considered in the draft environmental assessment.

Grand Coulee Dam was completed in 1941 and serves as a multipurpose facility providing water for irrigation, hydroelectric power production, flood control, recreation, fish and wildlife.

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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:

Log Booms Location Map