News Release Archive

Supplemental Draft EIS for Kachess and Keechelus projects public comment period continues

Media Contact: Erika Lopez, 208-378-5101, 05/29/2018 10:57
Joye Redfield-Wilder, jred461@ecy.wa.gov

For Release: May 29, 2018

YAKIMA, WA – The Bureau of Reclamation and Washington State Department of Ecology released a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (SDEIS) for projects at Kachess and Keechelus reservoirs being developed under the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (Integrated Plan) April 13, 2018.

Comments continue to be accepted on the SDEIS for the Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant (KDRPP) and Keechelus Reservoir-to-Kachess Reservoir Conveyance (KKC) projects through July 11, 2018. Comments received will be carefully reviewed and responded to in the final EIS. “Recently, Reclamation and Ecology held public meetings in Cle Elum and Ellensburg, and we had a good turnout,” said Tom Tebb, director of Ecology’s Office of Columbia River. “We want to keep the conversation going and remind folks that we are still accepting comments until July 11.”

In 2013, Reclamation and Ecology published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to prepare the KDRPP and KKC draft EIS followed by a joint National Environmental Policy Act and State Environmental Policy Act scoping process. The draft EIS for the projects was issued in 2015. Following public input, Reclamation and Ecology determined a supplemental environmental review was required for the KDRPP and KKC projects. The SDEIS considers proposals to improve water supply reliability, including a floating pumping plant alternative at the Kachess Reservoir.

The SDEIS evaluates seven alternatives:

  • Alternative 1 – No Action
  • Alternative 2 – KDRPP East Shore Pumping Plant
  • Alternative 3 – KDRPP South Pumping Plant
  • Alternative 4 – KDRPP Floating Pumping Plant
  • Alternative 5A – KDRPP East Shore Pumping Plant with KKC North Tunnel Alignment
  • Alternative 5B – KDRPP South Shore Pumping Plant with KKC North Tunnel Alignment
  • Alternative 5C – KDRPP Floating Pumping Plant with KKC North Tunnel Alignment
The purpose of these projects is to restore and enhance instream flows and aquatic habitat for fish, improve water supply reliability during drought years, improve the ability of water managers to respond and adapt to potential changing hydrology, and contribute to the vitality of the regional economy and riverine environment in the Yakima River basin.

Questions or comments on the SDEIS will be accepted until July 11, 2018. Comments may be submitted by email to kkbt@usbr.gov; by mail to the Bureau of Reclamation, Attn: Ms. Candace McKinley, Environmental Program Manager, 1917 Marsh Road, Yakima, WA, 98901; by telephone at (509) 575-5848, ext. 603; or by fax to (509) 454-5650. Hearing impaired citizens may dial 711 to obtain a toll-free TTY relay.

The SDEIS is available at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/eis/kdrpp/index.html and https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/eis/kkc/index.html. Reclamation and Ecology offices, and local libraries have copies available for viewing.

Additional information regarding the Integrated Plan may be found at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/yrbwep/2011integratedplan/index.html.

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Relevant Link:

https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/yrbwep/2011integratedplan/index.html

https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/eis/kdrpp/index.html