Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Project Environmental Impact Statement

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest, has prepared this Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Federal action proposed to remediate seismic, seepage, and hydrologic dam safety concerns at the Isabella Lake Main and Auxiliary Dams. Isabella Lake is located on the Kern River approximately 45 miles northeast of Bakersfield, Kern County, California. This Draft EIS identifies, evaluates, and documents the environmental effects of an array of remediation alternatives that are necessary to prevent loss of life, extensive downstream damage, functional loss of the project, and the loss of all project benefits. Implementing the proposed project represents a large and complex modification project that involves altering the Isabella Dams and Spillway, constructing new structures and facilities, and performing numerous associated support actions over an anticipated multi-year construction period. This Draft EIS allows opportunity for public and review agencies to provide comments and will help ensure that implementation of this needed project can be achieved with the least possible impacts.