[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46468-46469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23408]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Resource Management Plan for the Potholes Reservoir, Grant
County, Washington
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed Potholes Reservoir
Resource Management Plan (RMP). This EIS will be prepared pursuant to
Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended.
Reclamation is currently assessing the existing resources, issues,
and concerns at Potholes Reservoir in order to develop a plan to guide
future management of Reclamation lands surrounding the reservoir. The
waters and adjacent lands of Potholes Reservoir are currently being
managed under a memorandum of agreement that will expire in 2002. The
RMP will provide Reclamation and their land management partners, the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Parks and
Recreation Commission, and Grant County, a framework for future
management actions at Potholes Reservoir. The RMP will not address
water operations at Potholes Reservoir.
DATES: Comments concerning issues or concerns that should be addressed
in the proposed RMP and EIS should be received in writing by October 1,
1998.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning the proposal to Mr. James
Blanchard, Activity Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Epharata Field
Office, P.O. Box 815, Ephrata, Washington 98823.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. James Blanchard, at (509) 754-0226.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Potholes Reservoir is located in
southern Grant County, Washington, approximately 4 miles south and
southwest of Moses Lake, Washington. The Potholes Reservoir provides
irrigation water to portions of the Columbia Basin Project.
Reclamation initiated preparation of an environmental assessment
(EA) on the Potholes RMP in 1996. Based on a preliminary analysis of
alternatives that indicates a potential for significant impacts,
Reclamation has decided to prepare an EIS. A comprehensive public
involvement program has been conducted during the RMP planning process
and has provided opportunities for public input. Scoping of issues was
accomplished through public meeting and discussions and meetings with
Federal state, and local agencies and tribes. These meetings helped in
identification of issues and concerns, formulation of goals and
objectives, and development of alternatives for analysis. While no
additional scoping meetings are planned in connection with the
preparation of the draft EIS, this notice solicits additional comments
on issues and concerns that should be addressed in the development of
an RMP for Potholes Reservoir. To submit comments see the DATES and
ADDRESSES sections. Comments may also be sent by E-Mail to
jblanchard@pn.usbr.gov.
The draft EIS is expected to be complete and available for review
and comment in early 1999. Public hearings will then be held to receive
comments on the adequacy of the EIS an analyzing the effects of the
alternative actions.
The following issues, concerns, and problems have been identified
to date:
Fisheries: Concern with the decline of fisheries over the last 10
to 15 years.
Wildlife: The need to prevent damage to wildlife and habitat,
especially for
[[Page 46469]]
priority wildlife such as threatened or endangered species.
Vegetation: The need to protect wildlife habitat and the natural
landscape and the concern for weed control.
Water Quality: Concern with the effect of water quality on
fisheries and the safety of eating fish from the reservoir.
Recreation: Primary concerns related to over capacity use on
holidays, lack of desired facilities and features, seasonal use
restrictions, access, off-road vehicle use, and conflicts between
recreational uses and natural resources.
Management and Infrastructure: Public and management agencies are
concerned with the lack of resources to provide services and
enforcement.
Four alternatives are currently being considered. These include an
alternative which balances use with resource protection and
enhancement, an alternative that stresses enhancement of natural
resources (Alternative A), an alternative that stresses enhancement of
recreation potential (Alternative B), and the No Action Alternative as
required by NEPA. Comments received as a result of this notice may
result in changes to current alternatives or development of additional
alternatives to be evaluated in the draft EIS.
Dated: August 13, 1998.
Kenneth R. Pedde,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Northwest Region.
[FR Doc. 98-23408 Filed 8-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-M
