News Release Archive

Draft EA Issued for Savage Rapids Dam Removal

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 08/23/2005 06:00
Robert Hamilton, rhamilton@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: August 23, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation has issued a Draft Environmental Assessment evaluating the impacts of installing pumping facilities and subsequently removing of Savage Rapids Dam located near Grants Pass, Oregon. The purpose of the action is to improve fish passage, while also maintaining a water diversion for the Grants Pass Irrigation District.

Although these actions were evaluated by Reclamation in a planning report and final Environmental Impact Statement in 1995, the revised preferred alternative presented in this current EA includes the following actions:

Keeping a portion of the existing dam structures in place; Constructing a single, large pumping plant on the south side of the river; Installing a pipe bridge to convey water to the north side of the river.

Comments on the EA will be accepted through September 26, and should be sent to: Bureau of Reclamation, Attn: Mr. Robert Hamilton, 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise ID 83706-1234. Comments can also be sent via email to savage_rapids@pn.usbr.gov.

A copy of the Draft EA may be obtained at the Grants Pass Irrigation District office at 200 Fruitdale Drive in Grants Pass, Oregon, or by contacting Mr. Robert Hamilton at (208) 378 5087 or via email at savage_rapids@pn.usbr.gov. The Draft EA and the PR/FES are accessible on the internet at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/.

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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:

DRAFT Savage Rapids Dam Environmental Assessment