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Springfield, Ore. — Officials with the Bureau of Land Management are seeking public input on ways to improve the safety of Hult Reservoir and Dam. As the owner of the dam, the BLM has a responsibility to the people and property downstream as well as to the users of the reservoir. The dam is aging, and the likelihood of failure is increasing. The BLM is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement to examine proposals for reducing the safety risk to the town of Horton and the surrounding area. Proposals include repair, removal, or replacement of the dam.

Local community input is critical to reimagining the future of the Hult Dam area. BLM leaders invite members of the public to the open house May 4, 2022. Members of the public may attend any portion of the open house; there will be no formal presentation. Experts will be available to share information, answer questions, and receive comment.

What:       Hult Dam & Reservoir safety open house
Where:     Triangle Lake Charter School gymnasium
When:      May 4, 2022, 4 to 7 p.m.

The project team will consider and address all substantive comments received throughout this analysis. Comments on the drafts of chapters 1 and 2 are most appreciated between May 2 and June 5, 2022. Members of the public are invited to submit written comments to BLM_OR_NO_SIU_Hult_Dam_EIS@blm.gov.

“I want to thank people for their thoughtful input during the previous comment period,” said Cheryl Adcock, BLM Field Manager. “We considered all of your comments, and our team has come up with a stronger set of options because of your input.”

Following a public meeting at the dam in September 2021, and a public comment period in January 2022, the interdisciplinary project team has developed a range of alternative paths forward. These options address community safety, recreational use, habitat protection, and historical preservation. At the open house, the interdisciplinary project team hopes to hear from members of the public on the following alternatives:

• Alternative 1: No action. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the BLM will analyze the impacts of taking no action and continuing current operations. The BLM would continue regular monitoring and repairs without making significant changes to the structure. The dam would remain a high-hazard dam.
• Alternative 2: Replace the existing dam. The BLM would remove the existing dam and build a new, larger one in its place. The new dam would be built of more appropriate materials, have a more stable foundation, and meet current engineering standards. The dam would remain a high-hazard dam due to the downstream population and infrastructure.
• Alternative 3: Remove the existing dam. The BLM would remove the existing dam, allowing the stream to flow naturally through the area.

In all cases, the area would continue to be used for recreation, including fishing, camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Chapter 2 of the draft EIS provides detailed descriptions of the alternatives, potential mitigation measures, and additional alternatives not analyzed in detail.

The first two chapters of the draft EIS will be available on the ePlanning site, here: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/99598/510.

Background on Hult Dam

The Hult Reservoir is a 41-acre pond located in the Lake Creek watershed near the community of Horton, Oregon. The reservoir is held back by Hult Dam, which is an earthen dam constructed in 1948 from loose rock and excess logs from the Hult timber operations, which are now rotting within the structure.

Hult Dam is rated as a high hazard due to the downstream population and infrastructure creating a potential for loss of life if it gave way or failed. The dam is particularly vulnerable to a large flood and ground instability. If the dam were to give way, it would release an uncontrolled rush of water downstream toward the community of Horton. This rush could damage Highway 36 and even cause loss of life. Due to this high risk, the BLM must frequently conduct costly inspections and maintenance on the dam.

Today, the dam serves no flood protection or water retention purposes. The area is a popular recreation destination.

More information

Members of the public can contact the Hult Reservoir and Dam Safety EIS team in the following ways:

• Email: BLM_OR_NO_SIU_Hult_Dam_EIS@blm.gov
• Project hotline: 971-213-4970

To learn more about the project, visit the project webpage:
https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/plans-in-development/oregon-washington/hult-dam

To view planning documents and learn more about the EIS process, visit the ePlanning site:
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/99598/510.

To receive quarterly updates on the project, email BLM_OR_NO_SIU_Hult_Dam_EIS@blm.gov.