[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13160-13161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7269]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Bonneville Power Administration
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and
Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement for the Watershed
Management Program
AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy
(DOE).
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS), and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces BPA's intention to prepare an EIS on
proposed funding of the planning and implementation of watershed
conservation and rehabilitation projects throughout the Columbia River
Basin (Basin). This action proposes to mitigate the loss of anadromous
and resident fish habitat caused by the construction and operation of
Federal hydroelectric projects in the Basin. In accordance with the
Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act
(Northwest Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 839), specific fish mitigation
activities that BPA would implement under the program are developed
through Pacific Northwest Power Planning Council (Council) procedures
and proposed in the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program. Although BPA
decisions on these specific actions are often independent of one
another, preparation of this EIS recognizes their similarity of
impacts, methods of implementation, and subject matter. This action
involves land resources planning that may affect floodplains and
wetlands throughout the Basin, including various parts of Oregon,
Idaho, Montana and Washington. A floodplain/wetland assessment will be
included in the EIS being prepared for the proposed project in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
BPA invites public comment on the range of actions, alternatives,
and impacts to be addressed in the Watershed Conservation Program EIS.
DATES: BPA has established a scoping period during which affected
landowners, concerned citizens, special interest groups, local
governments, and any other interested parties are invited to comment on
the scope of the proposed EIS. Scoping will help BPA ensure that a full
range of issues related to this proposal is addressed in the EIS, and
also will identify significant or potentially significant impacts that
may result from the proposed project. Please send written comments to
the address below by May 31, 1996.
When completed, the Draft EIS will be circulated for review and
comment, and BPA will hold a public comment meeting for the Draft EIS.
BPA will consider and respond to comments received on the Draft EIS in
the Final EIS.
ADDRESSES: BPA invites comments and suggestions on the proposed scope
of the Draft EIS. Send comment letters and requests to be placed on the
project mailing list to the Public Involvement and Information Manager,
Bonneville Power Administration--CKP, P.O. Box 12999, Portland, Oregon,
97212. The phone number of the Public Involvement and Information
Office is 503-230-3478 in Portland; toll-free 1800-622-4519 outside of
Portland. Comment at our internet address at: [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Eric N. Powers--ECN at (503) 230-5823
or Mark Shaw--EWP at (503) 230-5239, Bonneville Power Administration,
P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Action
BPA proposes to establish standards and guidelines for funding the
planning and implementation of watershed conservation and
rehabilitation projects throughout the Basin. This action is proposed
to mitigate the loss of anadromous and resident fish habitat based on
four elements: (1) increase salmon survival in the rivers; (2) improve
harvest management; (3) improving hatcheries and production practices;
and (4) protect and improve habitat. A primary objective of this action
is to implement principles that will be the most cost-effective and
efficient means of obtaining fish mitigation goals. General issues the
socioeconomic impacts, fish and wildlife management, vegetation
management, threatened and endangered species management, cultural
resources management, recreation management, and water quality
management. Identification of additional issues may result from the
public scoping process, and scoping may also eliminate some issues from
in-depth analysis. The proposed program standards and guidelines may
establish
[[Page 13161]]
criteria for implementing specific mitigation actions without further
review, or with limited site-specific analysis tiered to the Program
EIS.
Process to Date
BPA has funded, over the last several years, a number of small
demonstration projects under a ``model'' watershed program. The model
watersheds include the Grand Ronde and its subbasins in Oregon, the
Tucannon, Pataha, and Asotin in Washington, and the Lemhi, Pahsimeroi,
and East Fork Salmon in Idaho. To date, BPA has categorically excluded
these model watershed demonstration projects under NEPA. However, with
the culmination of planning for many of the model watersheds and
potential for expansion of the watershed program to include additional
watersheds beyond the model watersheds, BPA has decided to prepare an
EIS to discuss the potential cumulative impacts, both positive and
negative, of a larger-scope watershed program.
Alternatives Proposed for Consideration
Alternatives to be considered in the BPA Watershed Management
Program EIS would include alternative standards and guidelines for each
management issue addressed. The EIS will also consider a No Action
alternative, i.e., program implementation without defined program-wide
standards and guidelines.
Identification of Environmental Issues
The environmental issues associated with fish mitigation activities
include changes in land use, vegetation patterns, fish and wildlife
populations, recreational opportunities, and water use and quality.
Further information is available from BPA at the address above.
Issued in Portland, Oregon, on March 14, 1996.
Randall W. Hardy,
Administrator and Chief Executive Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-7269 Filed 3-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6540-01-P