SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District will host a series of public meetings next week, giving the public an opportunity to provide their comments on potential Isabella Dam fixes identified in the draft environmental impact statement released March 16.
The Corps will host three public meetings April 17-19 to present the findings of the draft EIS, explain the environmental review process and ongoing associated environmental studies, and to solicit comments on the project.
The Isabella Dam Safety Modification Study is looking to address seepage, seismic and overtopping risks identified with Isabella Lake’s main and auxiliary dams to reduce the risk of dam failure or catastrophic downstream flooding during a large storm.
The draft EIS outlines proposed actions to address known risks at Isabella Lake’s two dams and evaluates those actions’ effects on the environment, natural resources and daily life of affected residents.
The draft EIS is published on the district’s website at www.spk.usace.army.mil, under “In the news” on the left side of the page. It was also published in the Federal Register March 23, officially starting the 45-day public comment period, which closes May 7.
In addition to providing comments at the upcoming public hearings, written comments can be submitted through the postal mail or by e-mail to the addresses listed in the draft EIS.
A final environmental impact statement is tentatively scheduled to be released in fall 2012.
Completed in 1953, Isabella 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 Reservoir 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.
Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Study Public Meetings
Kernville
April 17, 2012
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Odd Fellows Hall
50 Tobias Street
Kernville, CA
Lake Isabella
April 18, 2012
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Kern River Valley Senior Center
6409 Lake Isabella Blvd
Lake Isabella, CA
Bakersfield
April 19, 2012
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Kern County Board of Supervisors Chambers,
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 1st Floor
Bakersfield, CA