96-7269. Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement for the Watershed Management Program

[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: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Eric N. Powers--ECN at [phone] 
or Mark Shaw--EWP at [phone], 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