MP-16-198

Media Contact: Louis Moore, 916-978-5100, wmoore@usbr.gov

For Release: Oct. 14, 2016

Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Long-Term Plan to Protect Adult Salmon in the Lower Klamath River; Open House/Public Hearing Scheduled

SHASTA LAKE, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation has made available for public review and comment the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Long-Term Plan to Protect Adult Salmon in the Lower Klamath River (LTP). The Draft EIS describes the environmental effects of the No-Action and Action Alternatives to augment flows in the Lower Klamath River to reduce the likelihood and the severity of any Ich epizootic event that could lead to an associated fish die-off in future years (2017 – 2030).

An open house and public hearing to solicit comments will be held on:

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016
Open House from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5 p.m.)
Public Hearing from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn, 1900 Hilltop Drive, Palomino Room
Redding, CA

Crowded holding conditions for pre-spawn adults, warm water temperatures, and the presence of disease pathogens are the likely major factors contributing to the adult salmon mortalities. The proposed increased flows would be provided primarily from releases of water stored in Trinity Reservoir on the main stem of the Trinity River.

The Draft EIS 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=22021. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

Please email comments by close of business Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, to BOR-SLO-sha-ltpeis-public-comments@usbr.gov or mail comments to Julia Long, Bureau of Reclamation, Northern California Area Office, 16349 Shasta Dam Blvd., Shasta Lake, CA 96019.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EIS, please contact Long at 530-276-2044 or jlong@usbr.gov. The document may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Northern California Area Office at the above address and at the Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Regional Library, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825.

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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. Follow us on Twitter @USBR and @ReclamationCVP.