News Release Archive

Reclamation Issues Draft Environmental Assessment For Prineville Reservoir Repeater Tower

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Tanya Sommer, tsommer@pn.subr.gov

For Release: March 31, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public review and comment on a proposal to construct a communications tower at Prineville Reservoir, located on the Crooked River near Prineville, Oregon. The Prineville Reservoir Repeater Tower Draft Environmental Assessment was released March 31, 2005.

The main purpose of the Draft EA is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with placing and constructing a radio repeater tower near Prineville Reservoir. Public comment will be accepted until April 25.

Reclamation is proposing to grant the Crook County Sheriff's Office and other managing partners, the right to use federal land to construct a 100-foot repeater tower designed to improve emergency communications. The tower will be located on the north side of the reservoir, above the canyon near Reclamation's boundary with Bureau of Land Management property.

"The topography of the canyon inhibits radio contact at some locations at the Reservoir, causing inadequate communication capabilities," said Ron Eggers, Reclamation's Lower Columbia Area Office Manager. "Reliable communication between staff working around the reservoir and with emergency services in Prineville is essential to public safety."

The managing partners include Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Ochoco Irrigation District, Crook County Sheriff's Office, Crook County Fire Department, and Crook County Road Department.

The Draft EA can be viewed on Reclamation's website www.usbr.gov/pn or at the Prineville Public Library. To receive a copy or a CD-ROM of the draft EA, contact Tanya Sommer, Natural Resource Specialist, at (503) 872-2846, or e-mail at tsommer@pn.usbr.gov. Written requests can be mailed to Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Columbia Area Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 750, Portland OR 97232.

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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.