Thank you for visiting the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation virtual public meeting website for the Kachess Dam Safety of Dams modification project environmental assessment.

On Sept. 22, 2022, the Bureau of Reclamation released the final environmental assessment for the Kachess Dam safety project. Reclamation analyzed cost-effective measures to reduce long-term risks per Reclamation’s Public Protection Guidelines, to maintain water deliveries throughout the Yakima basin, minimize impacts to the environment, and continue water flows for endangered species. The project area is located in Kittitas County, two miles north of Easton, Washington.  

Reclamation selected the proposed action to reduce long-term risks by constructing an access road; preparing the site to develop staging areas to support construction and long-term maintenance; extend and line the conduit; and install a filter and stabilization berm.

Reclamation invited the Tribes and the public to identify issues or alternatives for consideration in the development of the EA during a 30-day public scoping period. The scoping period occurred from July 26, 2021, to Aug. 25, 2021. Reclamation considered all comments received during the scoping period and published a scoping report. A 30-day public comment period of the draft EA was open Feb. 28, 2022 through March 30, 2022.

The final EA and FONSI are available at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/sod/kachess/index.html.