Mid-Pacific Region Sacramento, Calif.

MP-15-129

July 31, 2015

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Document to Supplement Flows in the Lower Klamath River with Trinity Reservoir Water

REDDING, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Draft Environmental Assessment for using Trinity Reservoir-stored water to supplement flows in the lower Klamath River to lessen the likelihood of a fish disease outbreak and a die-off of adult salmon during the late summer of 2015.

Continued dry hydrologic conditions and the recent discovery of the presence of Ich, the fish disease thought primarily responsible for the fish die-off in 2002, has prompted Reclamation to consider supplementing flows to the lower Klamath River in 2015. The Proposed Action includes supplemental flows to prevent a disease outbreak and a contingency volume to be used on an emergency basis to avoid a significant die-off of adult salmon. Real-time environmental and biological monitoring by federal, state and tribal biologists would be used to determine if and when to implement supplemental flows.

The Draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=22309. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments by close of business, Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, to sha-slo-krff2015@usbr.gov, or mail comments to Kylene Lang, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-152, Sacramento, CA 95825, or email comments to 916-978-5055.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA, please contact Paul Zedonis at 530-275-1554 (TTY 800-877-8339). Copies of the Draft EA may also be viewed at Reclamation's Northern California Area Office, 16349 Shasta Dam Boulevard, Shasta Lake, CA 96019.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov.