U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases master plan for Albeni Falls Dam

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff Writer

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released their Master Plan for Albeni Falls Dam, as well as a draft environmental assessment to address the potential environmental impacts of implementing the plan. The public comment period began Dec. 14 and will last through Feb. 14.

An aerial view of the Albeni Falls Dam. Courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In a public notice the Corps said that while the existing Albeni Falls Project Master Plan was completed in 1981, there has been no substantial, needed revision in the last three decades.

The new plan addresses changes in demand for recreation and expansive adjacent population growth. It also takes into consideration contemporary Corps land use classification standards and federal environmental laws. Overall, the Corps explained in the notice, the new Master Plan furthers their pursuit of responsible environmental stewardship.

While the purpose of a Master Plan is not to detail specific projects, it is “a planning document that deals in concepts … and it provides guidance for future development and maintenance of recreation opportunities.”

Read the plan, as well as the accompanying draft environmental assessment, at www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Environmental-Documents.

The Corps said comments can be submitted to Beth McCasland at AlbeniFalls.MasterPlan@usace.army.mil or to Planning, Environmental and Cultural Resources Branch, P.O. Box 3755, Seattle, WA, 98124-3755.

Anyone who wants additional information about the plan or assessment can also utilize McCasland’s phone number, 206-764-3641.