[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 223 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63378-63379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30261]
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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact for the Strawberry
Aqueduct and Collection System Angler-Access Acquisition and Corridor
Management
AGENCY: The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission.
ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
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SUMMARY: On November 17, 1999, Michael C. Weland, Executive Director of
the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (Mitigation
Commission), signed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), which
documents the decision to fund and complete the Angler-Access
Acquisition and Corridor Management project. The project is located in
Duchesne County and Wasatch County, Utah. The Mitigation Commission and
Bureau of Reclamation, joint-lead agencies for the project, documented
the environmental effects of funding and completing this project in a
1999 environmental assessment (EA). The Draft EA was issued on July 31,
1998, analyzing the environmental impacts of completing the remaining
angler-access and terrestrial wildlife mitigation acquisitions and
establishing long-term management guidelines for mitigation lands. The
Final EA was refined based upon public comment and released in November
1999. The Mitigation Commission has reviewed the Final EA, determined
it adequate for the decisions to be made, and issued a FONSI, in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.).
Acquisition and management of angler access corridors are required
by the 1988 Supplement to the Definite Plan Report (DPR) for the
Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project (CUP), and/or authorized by the
Central Utah Project Completion Act of 1992 (Titles II through VI of
Pub. L. 102-575). The Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System (SACS),
a component of the Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project, consists of a
series of pipelines, tunnels, aqueducts and reservoirs that capture
water from the Colorado River Basin and divert it to the Bonneville
Basin for use along the populated Wasatch Front in Utah. Construction
and operation of the Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System altered
stream flows on approximately 240 miles of ten streams. Following years
of discussion, a mitigation program was developed for SACS in 1988. To
mitigate the impacts, several key agreements were made (including the
Aquatic, Wildlife and Wetland Mitigation Plans), and legislation was
enacted identifying a mitigation program. A portion of the entire
mitigation program for SACS is fulfilled by the Angler-Access
Acquisition and Corridor Management project. Specifically, public
angler access would be acquired to replace lost angling opportunities.
Fifty-one miles of angler access on specific stream reaches was
identified for acquisition. Angler access would be acquired where
instream flows were provided and in some instances, where stream
habitat improvements were made (both mitigation measures of the SACS
project). Wetland and riparian woodland mitigation was required on
SACS-area streams for impacts caused by construction and operation of
the Municipal and Industrial (M&I) System of the Bonneville Unit.
Terrestrial habitats impacted by Bonneville Unit features are required
to be mitigated for by acquiring and managing uplands (some of which
are adjacent to the angler access corridors) for wildlife purposes.
Approximately 42.9 of the 51 miles identified on specific stream
reaches for angler-access acquisition have been acquired by the Bureau
of Reclamation and the Mitigation Commission. Approximately 8.1 miles
remain to be acquired. Approximately 26,728 acres of riparian and
upland habitat have been acquired as terrestrial wildlife mitigation in
or adjacent to the angler-access corridors. Approximately 490 acres
remain to be acquired and managed to fulfill the terrestrial wildlife
mitigation requirement. Approximately 126.5 acres of wetlands have been
acquired in the angler-access corridors, completing the wetland
acquisition mitigation responsibilities associated with SACS.
After reviewing the EA, Biological Assessment, and public and
agency comments, the Mitigation Commission has decided to implement the
Modified Proposed Action as described in the Final EA. Under the
Modified Proposed Action, the Bureau of Reclamation and Mitigation
Commission will acquire an additional 8.1 river miles of angler access
on specified river reaches and a minimum of 490 acres of specified
adjacent uplands and will establish a management framework for the
angler-
[[Page 63379]]
access corridors. The Mitigation Commission selected the Modified
Proposed Action for implementation because it minimizes the impacts on
private property owners while achieving the underlying need for the
project. The Bureau of Reclamation will use its eminent domain
authority to complete the acquisitions only as a last resort, following
other reasonable attempts to acquire lands and interests on a willing-
seller basis. The environmental effects of the Modified Proposed Action
were similar to the impacts of other alternatives analyzed.
Implementation of the Modified Proposed Action will achieve the
following objectives:
1. Complete outstanding mitigation responsibilities of the Aquatic
Mitigation Plan by acquiring an additional 8.1 miles of angler-access.
2. Complete the Wildlife Mitigation Plan by acquiring 490 acres of
upland habitat remaining as terrestrial wildlife mitigation.
3. Satisfy the Aquatic Mitigation Plan, Wildlife Mitigation Plan
and Wetland Mitigation Plan by protecting and managing mitigation lands
for their riparian, wetland, and aquatic resource values. Establish
management guidelines and objectives for each of the angler-access
corridors.
4. Provide continuous public access throughout angler-access
corridors and identify the appropriate level of infrastructure
development (parking areas and restrooms) for public use.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information about this
Federal Register notice can be obtained at the address and telephone
number below:
Mr. Richard Mingo, Natural Resource Specialist, Utah Reclamation
Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500 South, Suite 315,
Salt Lake City, UT 84101, Telephone: (801) 524-3146.
Dated: November 15, 1999.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 99-30261 Filed 11-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P
