Condit Dam Removal Condit Dam Removal - Access Washington

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Condit Dam Hydroelectric Project Final Supplemental EIS 4.11 PUBLIC SAFETY This section evaluates public safety, which could be affected as a result of the Proposed Action. A related section, Public Services (Section 4.12), also includes relevant public safety discussions. 4.11.1 Affected Environment The Proposed Action extends over an area including Northwestern Lake (reservoir) to the Condit Dam and along the White Salmon River from the dam to the Underwood (in-lieu) site adjacent to the Columbia River (see Figures 3-1 through 3-6 in Section 3). This would include not only the area, but all points of access (state and local roads). In addition to PacifiCorp, the public service providers to the area would be involved in coordination of proposed safety plans and measures. The providers include the Klickitat and Skamania County Sheriff’s departments, Fire District No. 3 (Klickitat County side), the Underwood Fire Department (Skamania County side), and the Washington State Patrol (state roads). Emergency service providers include ambulances (Stevenson) and other emergency service operations (Skyline Hospital in White Salmon). 4.11.2 Impacts Pre-Dam Removal Activities Limited blasting may occur in association with access road building and road widening operations. Because of the locations, this would not have an impact on access to the proposed action area for the service providers and the public. Dam Breaching and Removal Drain Tunnel and Dam Lake tap tunneling is considered among the most dangerous tunneling operations for workers. Blasting operations would be dangerous for members of the public if they were allowed to be too close to the drain tunnel. Water levels in the river would rise rapidly as the reservoir drains, quickly engulfing the river floodplain between the dam and the Underwood site. Water would be drained rapidly through the tunnel and a vortex with strong currents would likely form in the reservoir during the first six hours as the reservoir drains. Dam removal will involve blasting the concrete and hauling it to a disposal site. Blasting will be conducted according to a blasting plan by highly experienced contract specialists. Sediment Transport Water would drain out of the reservoir over the first six hours after the dam was breached. The White Salmon River would quickly cut a new course through the reservoir sediments, and the river edge would be unstable and fall into the river, creating a hazard to any person or animal near the river. People will, of course, be excluded. In addition, access to the proposed action area by the service providers could be affected. 4.11-1
Condit Dam Hydroelectric Project Final Supplemental EIS Post-Removal Management Drained reservoir sediments would continue to be unstable adjacent to the White Salmon River and on oversteepened areas that would be exposed until they are stabilized. This would pose a potential safety hazard for recreational and other visitors to the area. 4.11.3 Mitigation Measures Mitigation measures are listed below for pre-dam removal, dam breaching and removal, and post-removal management activities. PacifiCorp has prepared public safety and blasting plans as part of overall project mitigation: • Implement the Public Safety Plan (PacifiCorp (2004). Key elements of the Public Safety Plan include: issuing a countywide (Klickitat and Skamania Counties) public notice prior to commencement of any major construction activities; and coordinating with local police and fire personnel for potentially hazardous areas and the schedule for blasting and dam breaching. • Standard construction practice includes isolating the public and workers from direct exposure to hazards, including tunnel-driving and dam removal activities. • Any blasting used as part of dam removal activities would be accomplished in areas isolated from the public as described in the Blasting Plan (PacifiCorp 2004). Key elements of the Blasting Plan include: blasting shall be performed only by trained and authorized personnel and in accordance with OSHA safety standards; and signs shall be posted to restrict public trespass within the vicinity of blasting activities. • Just before the final blast that breaches the dam is to be detonated, the White Salmon River would be cleared of people along its banks all the way from the dam to the mouth of the river. • At the same time, access to the river downstream from the Northwestern Lake Bridge would be prevented. This will prevent fishers, boaters, kayakers or other water sports enthusiasts from entering the river and being caught in hazardous waters, facilities, or sediments as the reservoir drains. • The general public would be barred from traversing the reservoir sediments or using the White Salmon River below Northwestern Lake Bridge until after the unstable sediments have been stabilized as described in the Sediment Assessment and Management and Bank Stabilization Plans prepared by PacifiCorp (2004). • Public notices will ensure that the general public is educated about public safety issues, including ones associated with new opportunities for access and recreation. They will also provide information about new conditions to be expected. 4.11-2
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Condit Dam Removal Final SEPA Suppl
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March 23, 2007 Dear interested part
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Condit Dam Hydroelectric Project Fi
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Contents Public Meetings Response P
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Contents Individuals Individuals A-
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