98-27014. Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Construction of the Diamond Fork Campground; Utah County, UT

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 195 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 54193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27014]


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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment for 
the Construction of the Diamond Fork Campground; Utah County, UT

AGENCY: The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission 
(Mitigation Commission) and the Spanish Fork Ranger District of the 
Uinta National Forest, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) issued a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 1984 and a Final Supplement to 
the Final EIS in 1990 for the Diamond Fork System recommending among 
other things, the construction of a campground and associated 
recreation facilities in Diamond Fork Canyon to mitigate for camping 
facilities impacted by the construction activities and to provide 
recreational opportunities for growing populations along the Wasatch 
Front.
    The Spanish Fork Ranger District of the Uinta National Forest and 
the Mitigation Commission released an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
dated February 23, 1997, describing the environmental effects of a 
proposal to redesign and upgrade the existing Diamond and Palmyra 
campgrounds. Based on public and agency input, the Spanish Fork Ranger 
District and the Mitigation Commission have revised the EA to 
incorporate a new alternative that responds to concerns raised. The new 
proposal would rehabilitate the existing Diamond and Palmyra 
Campgrounds, yet reduce the capacity approximately by 33%. This is a 
significant change from the previous proposal where the campground 
capacity would have been increased by approximately 46%. This change in 
the proposal reduces the impacts on riparian vegetation and minimizes 
the potential impacts on future stream restoration efforts. These were 
the two primary concerns raised by agencies and the public during the 
initial release of the EA.
    A pre-decisional EA was prepared jointly by the U.S. Forest Service 
and the Commission and released for public review on September 28, 
1998. A 30-day public comment period closed on October 28, 1998.

DATES: Comments are most useful if received by October 28, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the the Draft EA or 
Executive Summary can be obtained at the address and telephone number 
below: Richard Mingo, Natural Resource Specialist, Utah Reclamation 
Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500 South, Suite 315, 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101-2328, Telephone: [phone].

    Dated: October 1, 1998.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 98-27014 Filed 10-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P