July 9, 2015
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District is investigating a revised plan of operation for the water supply storage owned by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) at Curwensville Lake, Pennsylvania. Curwensville Lake is a dammed section of the West Branch Susquehanna River. The dam lies about 2 miles south of Curwensville Borough. At the request of SRBC, USACE is examining ways to more effectively use SRBC-owned water storage at the lake through modifications to the current water release operations plan. Modified releases could help offset downstream consumptive water use during dry years and support stream ecosystem flow needs as determined by The Nature Conservancy.
Downstream water bodies potentially affected include the West Branch Susquehanna River and the Susquehanna River. USACE is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, to evaluate potential impacts of modified operations to lake and downstream water quality, submerged aquatic vegetation, wetlands, fish, recreation, and other considerations. Potential impacts could result from altered magnitude, frequency, duration, and seasonality of lake drawdown and downstream flows.
The purpose of this notice is to request information concerning interests within your organization' s area of responsibility and to help identify issues that may affect the implementation of future projects. For federal and state resource agencies receiving a copy of this notice, we request that you provide information concerning interests within your organization's area of responsibility or expertise within 30 days from the date of this notice. Please send correspondence to the address below.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
ATTN : CENAB-PL-P (Spaur) P.O. Box 1715 Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715
If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Mr. Christopher Spaur of our Civil Project Development Branch at 410-962-6134 or by e-mail at christopher.c.spaur@usace.army.mil
Signed
Dan Bierly Chief, Civil Project Development Branch