Copper Basin Discharge Valve Replacement and Access Road Improvements Project

The Copper Basin Discharge Valve Replacement and Access Road Improvements Project, identified by agreement number EPIMS-SBR-42438-R6, is an infrastructure rehabilitation effort executed by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The project scope includes the rehabilitation of the slide gate valve and replacement of the discharge valve within the Copper Basin Dam valve house, along with the installation of new conduit, electrical components, and three concrete pads located 250 feet southwest of the dam. Additional structural work involves replacing the dam face ladder, installing a new catwalk and stairs, and reconstructing two concrete weirs approximately 125 feet downstream. To ensure safe access to the dam base, the project also includes the rehabilitation of 1.66 miles of existing dirt access road around the perimeter of the Copper Basin Reservoir. The project is located in San Bernardino County, California, and is subject to strict environmental compliance under Fish and Game Code section 1602 and the California Endangered Species Act. Because the work may result in the incidental take of the fully protected Desert bighorn sheep, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife issued Incidental Take Permit No. 2081(b)-2025-066-06. The project was approved on December 15, 2025, following a Mitigated Negative Declaration which determined that the project would not have significant environmental effects within the jurisdiction of the responsible agency, provided that specific mitigation measures and a Monitoring Plan are implemented.