[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 82 (Tuesday, April 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 23293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11045]
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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact for the Construction
of Washington Lake Campground
AGENCIES: The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission
(Mitigation Commission).
ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
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SUMMARY: On March 20, 1997, Michael C. Weland, Executive Director of
the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission signed the
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) which documents the decision
to fund construction of a campground in Summit County, Utah. The
campground will be constructed near Washington Lake in the upper Provo
River drainage as a recreation feature of the Bonneville Unit of the
Central Utah Project. The U.S. Forest Service documented the
environmental effects of constructing the campground in a 1992
environmental assessment (EA). The Draft EA was developed with public
input and the Final EA refined based upon public comment. The U.S.
Forest Service issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on
July 23, 1992 and a Supplemental FONSI on June 16, 1993 in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.). The Commission has reviewed the Forest Service EA, determined it
adequate for the Commission's decision to fund the construction of the
Proposed Action and has adopted the Forest Service EA and issued its
own FONSI, in accordance with the Commission's NEPA Rule (43 CFR Part
10010.20).
The campground and associated features to be constructed 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), which also transferred responsibility for
implementing this measure to the Commission.
Funding the U.S. Forest Service to construct the campground at
Washington Lake meets the Commission's objectives of implementing the
Washington Lake Campground mitigation program requirement and doing so
in the least environmentally damaging manner. Of the alternatives
analyzed under the EA, Alternative 3 which this decision implements,
avoids impacts to wetlands by locating the campground in the area on
the northeast edge of the lake instead of at the location of the
original proposal on the southeast edge. The northeast location has
fewer individual wetlands and allows for placement of campground
facilities without any loss of wetlands. An existing wetland will be
restored by closing and reclaiming one dispersed camping site and the
access road to it which crosses a wetland meadow. Floating boardwalks
will be used for any trails that cross wetlands. This represents a
change from provisions in the Forest Service EA and FONSI that stated,
``hardened footpaths will be developed across wetlands adjacent to
proposed recreation sites' (see Alternative 3, Page IV-4 of the EA).
With this change, no impacts to wetlands will occur.
The Biological Assessment for Washington Lake Campground completed
July 7, 1992 includes a determination that after reviewing the
literature and an informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, ``the Washington Lake Campground will not affect endangered or
threatened species since they do not occur in the area.'' The
Evaluation also makes determinations of ``not likely to affect viable
populations or habitat'' of the following sensitive species: northern
goshawk, flammulated owl, three-toed woodpecker, great grey owl, boreal
toad and spotted frog. In each case, habitat surveys revealed either
lack of suitable habitat in the area and/or evidence that the species
use the area. This condition has not changed since 1992. The Utah State
Historic Preservation Office, in an October, 1991 letter, concurred
that no historic properties will be impacted by the project. No
cultural resources were located during the survey of the project area.
Based on consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with the
addition of floating boardwalk for trails through the wetland areas,
there will be no loss to wetlands and consequently no need for a 404
permit.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Additional information on matters related to
this Federal Register notice can be obtained at the address and
telephone number set forth below: Ms. Joan Degiorgio, Planning Manager,
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500
South, Suite 315, Salt Lake City, UT 84601, Telephone: (801) 524-3146.
Dated: April 14, 1997.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation
Commission.
[FR Doc. 97-11045 Filed 4-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P
