The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comments on a draft environmental impact (DEI) statement that includes plan amendments to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan and Northwest Forest Plan for the Spirit Lake Outflow Safety Improvement Project.
The project is part of a long-term effort to responsibly manage the water levels of Spirit Lake to keep surrounding communities safe.
Following the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, a natural debris blockage formed across Spirit Lake’s outlet. In 1985, an emergency tunnel was constructed to safely manage lake levels. That tunnel is still functional today, but requires rehabilitation to continue serving its role effectively into the future, according to a news release.
The DEI statement outlines nine potential alternatives to maintain Spirit Lake outflow while also proposing access routes and safety improvements for personnel. The Forest Service has identified two preferred alternatives: a full repair and rehabilitation of the existing tunnel with increases to lake storage capacity, or a new pressure tunnel with the potential for a natural wildlife channel to be developed. The draft includes seven other alternatives for public review and comment.
The analysis within the Spirit Lake DEIS and the associated programmatic plan amendment will result in two separate decisions, which consequently requires two separate but concurrent public comment periods, the release stated.
Both comment periods are 90 days and will close on Oct. 30.
The public is invited to review the draft and amendments and submit comments within this period. The draft environmental impact statement with plan amendments and information about
how to submit comments can be found at tinyurl.com/5n6zdn78.
An in-person public meeting for the DEIS will be held on Oct. 7 from 4 to 7 pm at the Cowlitz County Event Center, 1900 Seventh Ave., Longview.
Written or oral comments on project alternatives or analyses concerning impacts affecting the quality of the human environment will be accepted at the meeting, the release stated.
Comments may also be submitted electronically through the Comment and Analysis Response Application at tinyurl.com/5n6zdn78 or sent via mail to Kelsey Jolley, Spirit Lake NEPA Coordinator, 987 McClellan Road, Vancouver, WA 98661.
For additional project details and information, visit the project’s general website at tinyurl.com/34ppcymm.
