Kachess Dam Safety of Dams Modification Project Environmental Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Aerial photograph of Kachess Dam and Reservoir taken by Reclamation.

1. Can you explain how this project is different from the Kachess Drought Relief Pumping Plant (KDRPP) in the area?

This project is completely independent of KDRPP. This project is solely related to modifying and improving the dam on the Kachess Reservoir.

2. What is the proposed federal action?

The proposed federal action is to modify and improve elements to reduce risk of internal erosion failure of the Kachess Dam. The Dam is an earthfill structure located on the Kachess River about 2 miles northwest of Easton and 14 miles northwest of Cle Elum. The Bureau of Reclamation owns and operates the Kachess Dam. Kachess Dam is a feature of the Yakima Project in Washington and was constructed by Reclamation between 1910 and 1912. The reservoir formed by the dam was built at the terminus of a natural lake and has an active storage capacity of 239,000 acre-feet at “normal water surface elevation” of 2,262 feet, or the top of active conservation pool. Kachess Dam has a structural height of 115 feet and a crest length of 1,400 feet at crest elevation 2,268 feet.

3. What will be included in the development of the EA?

The EA will include an analysis of the potential environmental effects of the proposed action, a no-action alternative, and a reasonable range of alternatives designed to respond to the project’s purpose and need.

4. Why is the proposed federal action necessary?

Internal erosion in the dam has led to seepage along the dam outlet tunnel. The risk of internal erosion is high enough (and with high enough confidence in the portrayal of risk) that it has earned a Dam Safety Priority Rating rating of DSPR 2, or “urgent” priority category. Permanent action to reduce risk is justified. Accordingly, the goal of these improvement projects would reduce deterioration of the dam and the safety risk that it imposes.

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

Improvements and modifications to the dam will effectively reduce the safety risks it imposes for the downstream public.

6. What are you studying in the EA, and why are you doing it?

Reclamation will use the EA to evaluate the impacts of the project on the natural and human environment within the area of the proposed action. Resources to be evaluated include, but are not limited to ESA–listed species, water quality, wetlands and riparian areas, land use, cultural resources, sacred sites, Indian Trust Assets and environmental justice.

The NEPA process begins when a federal agency develops a proposal to take a major federal action. Federal agencies may prepare an EA to determine if a proposed federal action will significantly affect the quality of the human environment. If no significant impacts are identified, Reclamation will issue a Finding of No Significant Impact with the final EA. Should significant impacts be identified, Reclamation will begin development of an environmental impact statement. 

7. How will you consider comments from the public?

Reclamation will collect comments from Tribes, the public, and other interested parties. The Reclamation team will review and consider every comment submitted and address substantive comments as appropriate. Comments received during the public scoping period will be summarized in a public scoping report that will be made available to the public before the preliminary EA is prepared. You can provide your comments here.

8. How will Reclamation engage the public during the scoping 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 participates in the NEPA scoping process by helping to identify EA issues and potential alternatives to the proposed action, and by evaluating the analysis of the proposed action and alternatives in the preliminary EA during the public review period for that document. All public substantive comments received are considered.

As the first step in the NEPA process, Reclamation conducted on-the-ground surveys for wildlife, wetlands, and cultural resources. The initiation of the scoping period began on July 26 with the release of a press release and other public notices. The public scoping comment period ended on Aug. 25, 2021. Reclamation issued a news release and a newspaper ad, and distributed flyers via email to announce the public comment opportunities.

As part of the public scoping process, Reclamation hosted two live, moderated video teleconference sessions on Aug. 10 and 12, 5-6:30 p.m. PDT, to talk about the proposed project and the NEPA process. Attendees had the opportunity to ask Reclamation staff questions during the session. More details are available here.

The public had the opportunity to submit comments through the virtual public scoping meeting website at any time during the scoping period.

Information also is available on Reclamation’s Kachess Dam Safety of Dams modification project environmental assessment.

9. How will Reclamation engage Native American tribes?

Reclamation has a duty to consult with Native American Tribes on the proposed project. Reclamation will engage the Tribes to identify sacred sites, Indian Trust Assets, and other concerns. The Tribes have a long history and deep cultural ties to Kachess. Consultation under Section 106 of the National Historical Protection Act and close coordination under NEPA will be the primary means of engagement.

10. Who are the cooperating agencies?

Reclamation is the lead federal agency under NEPA for development of the EA. While there are no formal cooperating agencies for this project, Reclamation anticipates close coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the NEPA and subsequent permitting process.

If you have more detailed questions about the Kachess Safety of Dams environmental assessment, please submit a comment here, or you may reach us by email or phone via the contact information below.

 

For more information on the Kachess Dam Safety of Dams modification project environmental assessment, please contact Jonathan Penman-Brotzman, Environmental Protection Specialist (BOR-SHA-KSODNEPA@usbr.gov).

To be added or removed from the mailing list, please contact Alli Yamnitsky (alli.yamnitsky@empsi.com).