Wanapum Dam Reconfiguration and Reoperation Project

The Office of Columbia River (OCR) and Grant County Public Utility District (Grant PUD) are considering a project that would raise the maximum operating elevation of Wanapum Dam by 3.5 feet. The project would increase the Wanapum Pool’s storage capacity by approximately 70,000 acre-feet. The additional water would be put to both instream and out-of stream use.

SEPA EIS Process

OCR is beginning work on a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental impact statement (EIS) to study what effect the project will have on the environment. The SEPA process provides the public with many opportunities to provide input for the EIS.

Scoping the EIS

The first such opportunity, “scoping” for the EIS, occurs through Nov. 16, 2009. During this time, people may submit comments regarding what should be studied in the EIS. Comments may be sent to the following address:

Tom Tebb
Central Regional Director
Department of Ecology
15 W. Yakima Avenue, Suite 200
Yakima, WA 98902

Or emailed to: gteb461@ecy.wa.gov 

Please use “Wanapum Dam EIS” in the subject line.

Comments may also submitted in written or verbal form at a scoping meeting to be held

5:30-7:30 PM
October 22, 2009
Moses Lake Event Center
1475 Nelson Rd. NE Ste. C
(Go through the Christian school’s breezeway)
Moses Lake, WA
(Map)

Documents

Scoping Notice (Determination Of Significance And Request For Comments On Scope Of Environmental Impact Statement For The Wanapum Dam Reconfiguration And Reoperation Project)

More Information

• About Wanapum Dam http://www.gcpud.org/resources/resEnergy/wanapum.htm 

• Grant PUD FERC License Requirements & the Shoreline Management Plan http://www.gcpud.org/resources/resLandWater/resfaqs.html#faq8