Conservation News

The two agencies just completed a study identifying ways to restore and protect fish habitat in Pine Flat Lake and along the lower Kings River from the dam to Highway 180. Another local agency, the Kings River Water Association, was an equal cost-sharing partner with the KRCD in the study.

The construction of Pine Flat Dam on the Kings River altered the natural hydrologic and temperature regime of the river. This in turn affected riparian and adjacent vegetation, restricted native coldwater fish movements and wildlife resources at Pine Flat Lake and along the Kings River downstream of the dam.

To address these issues, the Corps and KRCD propose constructing a multilevel intake structure on the upstream face of the dam to manage the temperature of downstream water releases. This will promote downstream water temperatures suitable to sustain the native coldwater fishery throughout the year. KRCD and the Corps will also reestablish historic floodplain riparian and wildlife habitat at Byrd Slough along the Kings River immediately south of the Friant-Kern Canal siphon. "This plan is technically feasible, economically efficient and environmentally sound," said Judy Soutiere, the Corps project manager for the study.

"We'll provide environmental restoration along about 13 miles of the lower Kings River, improve the cold water fishery in the reservoir, and restore about 143 acres of riparian and shaded riverine aquatic habitat at Byrd Slough," said Jeff Halstead, Chief of KRCD's Environmental Division. "This plan meets the objective of ecosystem restoration, maximizes ecosystem restoration benefits, and will have positive environmental effects," Halstead added.

The cost of the selected plan is $35,800,000. About $23,270,000 (65 percent) is the responsibility of the federal government, and about $12,530,000 (35 percent) is the responsibility of the Kings River Conservation District. KRCD will also be responsible for annual operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of the project.

Prior to adoption of the proposed project, the Chief of Engineers and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works will review the study evaluations and report findings. A coordinated review, including affected state and other federal agencies, will also be accomplished at that time. The Chief of Engineers will review the report and forward a recommendation to the Secretary of the Army. The Assistant Secretary of the Army, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget, then establishes the administration position on whether the proposal should be recommended to Congress for authorization.