News Release Archive

Final EA Issued for Yakima-Tieton Vehicle Access Bridge Installation

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Candace McKinley, cmckinley@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: August 09, 2004

The Bureau of Reclamation issued the Final Environmental Assessment for Yakima-Tieton Vehicle Access Bridge Installation with a Finding of No Significant Impact.

The project area is located near the Tieton Diversion Dam, approximately 16 miles west of the City of Naches, Washington.

Under the Preferred Alternative, Reclamation will install a vehicle access bridge on the Tieton River to ensure access to the dam, fishscreen facility, and the headworks of the canal, as well as prevent potential aquatic impacts to the Tieton River.

Currently, access to the south side of the river is restricted to using a concrete slab ford located on the river bed, or a cable foot bridge. Crossing the river is vital to the operation and maintenance of the Tieton Diversion Dam and Yakima-Tieton Fishscreen, as well as the Yakima-Tieton Main Canal headworks. Periods of high river flows make crossing the ford extremely hazardous and ultimately impossible.

Additionally, vehicles and machinery using the ford are required to drive directly through the live flow of the river. This activity causes potential aquatic impacts including increased turbidity, and the release of contaminants associated with vehicles or equipment.

Questions about the EA, or to request a copy of the document, please contact: Candace McKinley, Bureau of Reclamation, 1917 Marsh Road, Yakima WA 98901, (509) 575-5848, ext. 276, or email:cmckinley@pn.usbr.gov.

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