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Public Notice

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The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) has applied for a High Hazard
Potential Dam grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
to fund the Wallowa Lake Dam Rehabilitation in Wallowa County, Oregon; with
matching funds provided by the OWRD. Pursuant to 44 CFR Part 9.12, FEMA gives
notice under Executive Order (EO) 11988, Floodplain Management or EO 11990,
Wetland Protection; since this action is located in or affects the floodplain or may affect
wetlands.

The project site is located in or affects the floodplain with potential short-term impacts
due to construction to wetlands of the Wallowa River Watershed. The purpose of the
project is to mitigate the potential flood risk posed by the Wallowa Lake Dam’s
categorization as a high hazard dam as assessed by the OWRD in 1996. The proposed
action includes construction of long-term improvements to critical dam safety structures
specific to rehabilitating the dam structure to reduce hazards. FEMA will provide funding
to OWRD to complete construction of an upstream mass concrete block which will
reinforce the dam and provide structure for the new spillway openings and two gates.
Additionally, the project will upgrade the downstream spillway walls, replace the existing
wooden operating deck with concrete, and upgrade five low-level outlet gates and liners,
as well as all the associated gate operating mechanisms and hardware.

Comments concerning the proposed action will be accepted from the affected public;
local, state and federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and
evaluate alternatives and the environmental impacts of the proposed action. Comments
should be made in writing, sent to the point of contact listed below, and postmarked
within 30 days of publication of this notice.

Additional information about the project, including a project area map, can be obtained
from the applicant contact below (https://www.mcmillen.com/projects/wallowa-lake-
rehabilitation).

Responsible Official: For Additional Information:

Science Kilner
Regional Environmental Officer
FEMA Region 10
130 228th St SW
Bothell, WA 98021-9796
fema-r10-ehp-comments@fema.dhs.gov

 

Mark Merklein, P.E., S.E.
Principal Structural Engineer
208-985-1543
1471 Shoreline Dr. Ste 100
Boise, ID 83702
merklein@mcmillen.com

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Given the nature of the proposed action, if no public comments are received, no further
public notice will be conducted for this project.