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The Bureau of Reclamation, Provo Area Office (Reclamation) proposes to replace the concrete spillway structure at Scofield Dam, the principal feature of the Scofield Project. This construction project would be completed under the Safety of Dams (SOD) Act of 1978 (public Law 95-578, as amended). The proposed SOD modifications would correct safety deficiencies of the dam without affecting the purpose, or benefits of the dam. Reclamation also proposes to replace the existing gate house at its current position on the crest of the dam. This building is in poor condition and would be replaced with either a new concrete structure or a metal building.

Concurrent with Reclamation’s replacement of the spillway, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) proposes to remove and replace the bridge on State Highway 96 (SR-96) that crosses over the spillway of Scofield Dam. This bridge replacement would be funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). UDOT would also realign the roadway on either side of the bridge to improve the turning radius if funding becomes available. UDOT would need to obtain an easement from Reclamation for the new road alignment.

Scofield Dam and Reservoir are located approximately 22 miles northwest of Price, Utah, on the Price River, a tributary of the Green River. The first dam at this location was constructed by the Price River Water Conservancy District from 1925 through 1926. This original dam was determined to be unsafe, and could not be economically repaired. The existing dam was authorized by the Water Conservation and Utilization Act of 1939. Construction began in 1943. The dam was completed in June 1946. Scofield Dam was constructed for the purpose of providing water for Municipal and Industrial (M&I) and agricultural water use, recreation, flood-control, and fish and wildlife benefits.

Reclamation and FHWA are jointly preparing this environmental assessment (EA) as required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1960 (NEPA) as amended, P.L. 91-90, and the Council on Environmental Quality, U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Transportation regulations implementing NEPA. UDOT is assisting in the preparation of this EA as a cooperating agency.

This EA analyzes the potential impacts of the proposed SOD modifications and bridge replacement. If potentially significant impacts to the human environment are identified, a Notice of Intent to prepare a draft EIS would be published in the Federal Register and an environmental impact statement would be prepared. If no significant impacts are identified, Reclamation and FHWA would each issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Each FONSI would include the decision to proceed with a selected alternative.