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Department of Ecology News Release - March 23, 2007
07-058
YAKIMA - The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has released a final environmental report related to the proposed removal of Condit Dam on the White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Portland-based energy company PacifiCorp proposes removing the dam to enable the river to return to its natural, free-flowing condition. The dam has generated hydro-power since 1913.
The document primarily addresses water quality concerns and is a supplement to environmental studies prepared by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It outlines actions the company must take to lessen environmental harm during removal of the dam.
The state sought the additional information to determine whether the project meets state water-quality standards and other environmental mandates.
A Seattle consulting firm, URS Corp., was hired to independently evaluate the FERC document to determine whether it met state environmental regulations. The state must approve a Section 401 water-quality certification and issue a state construction stormwater permit before the dam can be removed.
"While the process has been lengthy, we've gained valuable information that will help us as we make our permit decisions," said Derek Sandison, central regional director for Ecology.
The supplemental document addresses both long-term and short-term water quality concerns, including how backed up sediments and debris would be managed as well as what effects dam removal would have on wetlands, endangered fish and fish passage.
PacifiCorp proposes draining the reservoir through a tunnel that would be constructed through the dam, and then removing the dam concrete and wood stave pipeline and other infrastructure at the powerhouse.
The White Salmon River has been identified by the Governor's Salmon Recovery Team as a candidate for reintroducing Chinook, Coho and steelhead salmon populations as there would be only one main-stem Columbia River dam (Bonneville) between them and the Pacific Ocean.
Restoring river flow without the dam would provide salmon and steelhead access to as much as 32 miles of river and tributary habitat, and restore areas for spawning, rearing and over-wintering for bull trout.
Since 1999, Ecology has worked with various stakeholders, held public meetings and received public comments to better understand PacifiCorp's proposal to remove Condit Dam.
A copy of the supplemental EIS is available online at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0706012.html. A hard copy may be obtained by calling (509) 575-2680.
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Contacts: Joye Redfield-Wilder, Ecology public information manager, (509) 575-2610
Dave Kvamme, PacifiCorp public affairs, (503) 813-7279
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
