LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District will have two public meetings Oct. 20 to discuss initiating a study to dispose of the Salinas Dam, its structures and surrounding federal lands.
The online public meetings are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and can be accessed at https://usace1.webex.com/meet/SalinasDamDS.
Salinas Dam is in San Luis Obispo County, about eight miles east of the City of San Luis Obispo, at the headwaters of the Salinas River in the Los Machos Hills.
Constructed during World War II to supply water to Camp San Luis Obispo, the dam and reservoir were transferred to the Corps in 1955. The Corps retains custody and accountability of the Salinas Dam, its structures and the surrounding federal lands.
The County of San Luis Obispo has used the facility since 1947 and holds two outgrants administered by the Corps – the first is to operate the dam and reservoir, which includes the authority to store water and supply water to any holder of a valid permit from the Department of Water Resources, State of California; and the second outgrant is for use as a public park and recreational facility.
Disposition studies are authorized under Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 to review the operation of completed Corps’ projects. The Salinas Dam Disposition Study will determine whether there is sufficient federal interest in retention of the dam, it’s structures and the surrounding federal lands or if ownership and operation should be transferred to a non-federal entity.
The virtual public meetings will give the public, stakeholders and other agencies the opportunity to provide comments on issues and concerns pertaining to the study.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the meeting will be conducted virtually in lieu of an in-person meeting. Participants can join by computer, telephone or other devices, such as electronic tablets. Written comments can be submitted to SalinasDamDS@usace.army.mil until Nov. 20, 2021.
Release no. 21-009