Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the proposed federal action?

2. Why is the proposed federal action necessary?

3. What are the benefits of the proposed federal action?

4. How did Reclamation engage the public during the scoping period?

5. How will Reclamation engage the public during the public comment period?

6. How will Reclamation engage Native American Tribes?

7. Who are the cooperating agencies?

Additional Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the Conconully Safety of Dams website.

1. What is the proposed federal action?

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Safety of Dams program is focused on ensuring long-term stability of dams to protect lives and property. Results of Reclamation’s studies and analyses show the dam and foundation have a potential to liquefy during infrequent, high-magnitude earthquakes. Reclamation proposes to reduce the risk of dam failure by constructing a stability berm on a foundation of deep soil mixing reinforcement columns on the downstream face of Conconully Dam. To provide improved operational functionality and compatibility with the proposed stability berm, Reclamation also proposes to upgrade the outlet works by extending, lining, and reinforcing water conveyance components and installing contemporary water control systems and facilities (such as, multiple state-of-the-art valves and valve house). These modifications would be performed primarily downstream (dry or stream side) of the dam, with limited activities upstream (wet or reservoir side) of the dam.

2. Why is the proposed federal action necessary?

Evaluations of the risk of seismic failure associated with liquefaction of the dam’s embankment and foundation materials began in 1990s. The geotechnical and risk analyses indicated that existing risks were at an unacceptable level based on Reclamation’s Public Protection Guideline values and justified additional work to better define or understand the risks. Subsequent geotechnical evaluations, field explorations, and risk analyses have shown that the dam requires modifications to reduce the seismic risks to the dam to acceptable levels based on Reclamation standards.

The need for the proposed project is to comply with Reclamation's Safety of Dams’ requirements and bring static, seismic, and hydrologic risks at Conconully Dam below Public Protection Guidelines, improve control of water flows through the outlet works, and increase the reliability and longevity of the dam and water conveyance system.

3. What are the benefits of the proposed federal action?

The Conconully Safety of Dams Modification project would reduce the seismic risks of dam failure, provide water deliveries and flows for irrigators and endangered species, and maintain additional benefits for recreation and fish and wildlife habitat. Improvements and modifications to the dam would effectively reduce the safety risks it imposes for the downstream public.

4. How did Reclamation engage the public during the scoping period?

Reclamation initiated the scoping period on Aug. 9, 2024. A news release, newspaper ad, mailed postcards to potentially affected local residents, emails to interested public and stakeholders, and flyers posted in the local community were issued to announce the public scoping opportunities.

The agency held two in-person scoping meetings that included an open house, presentation, and opportunities for the public to submit comments.

• In-person meeting: Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT at the 12 Tribes Omak Casino Hotel, Conference Room, 28968 US-97, Omak, WA 9884.

• In-person meeting: Aug. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. PDT at the 12 Tribes Omak Casino Hotel, Conference Room, 28968 US-97, Omak, WA 9884.

The public scoping comment period ended on Sept. 8, 2024. Comments received during the scoping period are summarized in a public scoping report.

5. How will Reclamation engage the public during the public comment period?

Reclamation is committed to an open and inclusive NEPA process. All substantive comments will be carefully considered in our review and decision(s) on meeting the agency’s NEPA responsibilities and other applicable laws in this process.

The public comment period began on June 10, 2025. A news release, newspaper ad, mailed postcards to potentially affected local residents, emails to interested public and stakeholders, and flyers posted in the local community were issued to announce the public comment opportunities. The public scoping comment period ends on July 10, 2025.

During the comment period, the public can provide input and participate in the NEPA process through two in-person public meetings. The meetings will include an open house, presentation, and opportunities for the public to submit comments. Reclamation subject matter experts will be available to answer questions. The public can submit comments through a variety of methods at any time during the public comment period.

• In-person meeting: June 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT at the Community Hall of Conconully, 19 N. Main Street, Conconully, WA 98819.

• In-person meeting: June 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. PDT at the Okanogan County PUD Auditorium, 1331 2nd Ave. N., Okanogan, WA 98840.

The public can participate by evaluating the analysis of the alternatives in the draft EA during the public comment period. All substantive comments received will be considered.

Comments received during the public comment period will be summarized in a public comment report that will be made available to the public and considered in the final EA. You can provide your comments here.

6. How will Reclamation engage Native American Tribes?

Reclamation has engaged the Tribes to identify sacred sites, Indian Trust Assets, and other concerns. Reclamation has been consulting with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation on Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and has offered the opportunity for Government–to–Government consultation with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Tribal representatives were invited to actively participate in project coordination and offer expertise and Tribal perspective. The Tribes have a long history and deep cultural ties to the area. Consultation under Section 106 of the National Historical Protection Act and close coordination under NEPA will be the primary means of engagement.

7. Who are the cooperating agencies?

Reclamation is the lead federal agency under NEPA for the development of the EA. While there are no formal cooperating agencies on the project at this time, Reclamation has been working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Washington State Department of Ecology, and Okanogan County during the NEPA process and plans on continued engagement during subsequent permitting efforts.

If you have more detailed questions about the Conconully Safety of Dams Modification project EA, you may reach us by email or phone via the contact information below.

For more information on the Conconully Safety of Dams Modification project EA, please visit the project website or contact Jason Sutter, Bureau of Reclamation NEPA lead at bor-sha-consod@usbr.gov.

To be added or removed from the mailing list, please contact Val Stanson at val.stanson@aecom.com.

Individuals who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services.