Meeting on Ice Harbor master plan is set

By on Tuesday, July 20th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

BURBANK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District will hold an open house public meeting Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Ice Harbor Visitor Center in Burbank.

This meeting will provide information and accept comments on the draft Ice Harbor master plan with an accompanying draft finding of no significant impact and environmental assessment to revise the outdated 1977 Ice Harbor master plan.

“The master plan guides how the corps manages Ice Harbor project lands surrounding Lake Sacajawea behind Ice Harbor Dam.  Master plans are about the land – they do not address dam operations (e.g., spill, fish passage, or dam breaching), flood risk management (e.g., levees), or navigation,” Master Planner Leigh Cranmer said.

The corps will accept comments on the draft master plan, EA, and FONSI from through July 30, 2021. They can be submitted via e-mail to: IceHarborMP@usace.army.mil or via U.S. Mail at:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Walla Walla District

ATTN:  Ice Harbor Master Plan

201 North 3rd Avenue

Walla Walla, WA  99362-1876

All comments received will be considered and become part of the public record.

Access to Thursday’s open house public meeting at the Ice Harbor Visitor Center requires a valid government-issued photo ID for all adults, such as a driver’s license or passport. There will be formal presentations at 5 and 6 p.m., and corps staff will be present to answer questions and provide information. The revised draft master plan, draft FONSI, and EA, along with the original 1977 master plan and other associated documents are available at https://www.nww.usace.army.mil/locations/district-locks-and-dams/ice-harbor-lock-and-dam/ice-harbor-master-plan/

USACE photo by D. G. Rigg