SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service Sequoia National Forest, released the draft recreation report for the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project today and is welcoming public input as part of the initial scoping process.
The purpose of the draft report and scoping process is to further explore and identify options to offset adverse effects on recreation resulting from construction of the Isabella Lake Dam project. Comments received on the draft recreation report will be considered by the Corps and Forest Service for development of the draft environmental assessment, outlining proposed recreation changes, which is scheduled for release in fall 2014. The Corps will continue to collaborate with the Forest Service to identify options that offset adverse effects on recreation.
The report is a working draft and the Corps and Forest Service welcome input from the public.
The draft recreation report may be viewed at: http://1.usa.gov/1fx4tyb
Written comments, referencing the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Plan - Draft Recreation Report, can by submitted by mail to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Study
1325 J Street, Room 1513
Sacramento, CA 95814
Comments can also be submitted by email to: isabella@usace.army.mil
The deadline for all comments will be announced when the draft recreation EA is released in fall 2014.
The public and media are encouraged to contact the district's public affairs office with additional questions at 916-557-5100 or spk-pao@usace.army.mil
Completed in 1953, Isabella Lake Dam is located approximately 42 miles northeast of Bakersfield. The reservoir is impounded by two earthen dams on the Kern River and Hot Springs Valley. Today, Isabella Lake and its dams help reduce flood risk for Bakersfield and the surrounding region, and are a primary water source for water users throughout Kern County. The Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project looks to address overtopping, seismic and seepage issues identified with Isabella Lake’s main and auxiliary dams to reduce the likelihood of dam failure. In 2013, the Corps entered the pre-construction engineering and design phase of the project. Construction of the dam modifications is scheduled to begin in 2017.
For more on the Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project visit: http://bit.ly/IsabellaDam
Release no. 14-006