SACRAMENTO,
California
– The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District released its Finding Of
No Significant Impact, or FONSI, today for proposed relocations of U.S. Forest
Service administration and recreational facilities at Isabella Lake Dam in Kern
County.
The
FONSI states that relocations required to construct safety modifications to the
main and auxiliary dams would have no significant effects on environmental,
social or cultural resources. The determination is based on findings and
analyses presented in the final supplemental environmental assessment, which
was also released today.
The
environmental assessment proposes mitigation plans to address recreation
aspects that would be affected by the Corps’ dam safety modification project
including loss of recreation facilities, such as boat launches or parking, and
administrative offices that are located within the footprint of the authorized
project.
Examples
of relocation actions addressed include construction of a Forest Service administration
building and warehouse at the Kernville Work Center in Kernville, a fire
station and interim visitor center at Lake Isabella, and recreation facilities
that would be constructed at Main Dam Campground and Auxiliary Dam Recreation
Area, among other locations around the lake.
The
FONSI and Final SEA are available on the project web page at http://bit.ly/IsabellaDam.
To
learn more about the authorized dam safety modification project, copies of the
Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision are also available on the
project web page or by contacting the Sacramento District Public Affairs
Office, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814; Phone (916) 557-5100; email: isabella@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 reduce flood risk for Bakersfield and the
surrounding region, and is a primary water source for water users throughout
Kern County. The Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project will 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.
Relocation construction work is scheduled to begin in 2016. Construction of the
dam modifications is scheduled to begin in 2017.