OVERVIEW

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Oregon State Office, as Lead Federal Agency, in partnership with the Forest Service – Mt. Hood National Forest (Forest Service, Cooperating Agency), and the Middle Fork Irrigation District (Project Sponsor, Owner, Operator), intends to prepare an EIS for the Clear Branch Dam Rehabilitation Project (Rehabilitation Project) in the proximity of Parkdale, unincorporated Hood River County, Oregon. The 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. There is a need to rehabilitate Clear Branch Dam to meet current dam safety and environmental compliance standards for NRCS, the Forest Service, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and other regulatory agencies. NRCS is requesting comments to identify significant issues and potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the proposed action from all interested individuals, Tribes, and Federal and State Agencies.