• The primary purpose of the Rehabilitation Project is to provide a clean dependable water supply for the Upper Hood River valley in Hood River County, Oregon, as authorized in the 1962 Middle Fork Hood River Watershed Work Plan. An assessment of Clear Branch Dam was performed by NRCS and the Project Sponsor in 2015 to evaluate the condition of the dam. Results of the assessment indicated that modifications to Clear Branch Dam are needed to extend its service life. To meet the purpose of providing a clean dependable water supply, there is a need to rehabilitate Clear Branch Dam to meet current dam safety and environmental compliance standards for NRCS, the Forest Service, FERC, and other regulatory agencies. Action to rehabilitate the dam is necessary because the dam reached the end of its original service life and requires structural modifications to extend its service life another 50 to 100 years.

  • In 2016, NRCS, the Forest Service, and the Project Sponsor initiated scoping for an Environmental Assessment for the rehabilitation of Clear Branch Dam. A public scoping meeting was conducted on August 15, 2016, in Parkdale, Oregon. Since scoping for the Environmental Assessment (EA) was completed in 2016, NRCS, the Forest Service, and the Project Sponsor have completed additional investigations and studies to evaluate the condition of the dam. As a result of the new information obtained during the EA process, the rehabilitation needed is more extensive than anticipated during scoping in 2016. Estimated federal funds required for the construction of the proposed action may exceed $25 million and the proposed action will therefore require congressional approval per the 2018 Agriculture Appropriations Act amended funding threshold. In accordance with 7 CFR 650.7(a)(2), an EIS is required for projects requiring congressional approval.

  • The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is expected to be issued in late 2024, and a Final EIS in early 2025. A draft Record of Decision (ROD) will be issued approximately two months after the Final EIS, and a final ROD approximately 6-8 weeks after.

  • Following the completion of the Draft EIS, a 45-day comment period will commence. Following the completion of the Final EIS, a 30-day comment period will commence, with the possibility for extension if needed. Note that the United States Forest Service, the cooperating agency for the project, holds a 45-90 objection period between the draft and final RODs that is open for individuals who have previously commented on the EIS.

  • The Lead agency for the project is United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The cooperating agency for the project is the USDA Forest Service (Mt. Hood National Forest), and the Project Sponsor is the Middle Fork Irrigation District (MFID).

  • The Natural Resources Conservation Service is proposing to fund the project with congressionally-approved funding.

  • Individuals may provide comments via the project website, via U.S. mail, or via email during public comment periods. For information or questions about this project please email contact@clearbranchdam.com.

  • Anticipated permits/authorizations are anticipated to include:

    • Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

    • Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification (Oregon Department of Environmental Quality)

    • Clean Water Act Section 402 Permit (1200-C) (Oregon Department of Environmental Quality)

    • Fish Passage Plan (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)

    • Special Use Permit (United States Forest Service)

    Tribal/Agency Consultation is anticipated to include:

    • National Historic Preservation Act Section 106

    —   Tribal Consultation (Executive Order 13175)

    —   Oregon State Historic Preservation Officer

    • Endangered Species Action Section 7

    —   U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    —   National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service