News Release Archive

Draft EIS for Cle Elum Pool Raise Project Released

Media Contact: Annette Ross, (208) 378-5322, 09/23/2014 08:14
Joye Redfield-Wilder, jred461@ecy.wa.gov

For Release: September 23, 2014

YAKIMA, Wash - The Bureau of Reclamation and Washington State Department of Ecology have released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Cle Elum Pool Raise Project for public comment. The proposed project is a component of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan.

The Draft EIS evaluates five alternatives:

  • Alternative 1 - No Action Alternative.
  • Alternative 2 - Additional Stored Water Used for Instream Flow with Rock Shoreline Protection.
  • Alternative 3 - Additional Stored Water Used for Instream Flow with Hybrid Shoreline Protection.
  • Alternative 4 - Additional Water Used for Total Water Supply Available with Rock Shoreline Protection.
  • Alternative 5 - Additional Water Used for Total Water Supply Available with Hybrid Shoreline Protection.

Common components to all alternatives are:

  • Modifying the radial gates at Cle Elum Dam to provide an additional 14,600 acre-feet of storage capacity in Cle Elum Reservoir;
  • Providing for shoreline protection of Cle Elum Reservoir; and
  • Accomplishing necessary environmental mitigation.

The purpose of the Cle Elum Pool Raise is to increase the capacity of the reservoir and improve aquatic resources for fish habitat, rearing and migration in the Cle Elum and upper Yakima Rivers. The project was authorized under Title XII of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project. The Draft EIS satisfies National Environmental Policy Act and Washington State Environmental Policy Act requirements.

Questions or comments on the Cle Elum Pool Raise Draft EIS will be accepted until November 25, 2014. Comments may be submitted to cepr@usbr.gov, by mail to the Bureau of Reclamation, Attn: Ms. Candace McKinley, Environmental Program Manager at 1917 Marsh Road, Yakima, WA, 98901; by telephone to (509) 575-5848, ext. 613; or by facsimile to (509) 454-5650. Hearing impaired citizens may dial 711 to obtain a toll free TTY relay.

Oral comments may be presented at one of two public meetings from 4 to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
October 21, 2014
Hal Holmes Center
209 N. Ruby Street
Ellensburg, WA 98926

 October 22, 2014
U.S. Forest Service
Cle Elum Ranger District
803 W. 2nd Street
Cle Elum, WA 98922

Reclamation and Ecology offices and local libraries will have copies available for viewing. Or view online at: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/eis/cleelumraise/index.html.

The public meeting facilities are physically accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for special assistance should be made by October 10 to Ms. McKinley at the contact information above.

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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/pn/programs/eis/cleelumraise/index.html