[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22539]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army Corps of Engineers

 

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for Howard Hanson Dam Operating, King County, WA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Continuing Operation and 
Maintenance of the Howard Hanson Dam on the Green River, King County, 
Washington. Even though this project was completed before the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, it is the intent of the Corps to 
prepare an EIS on current operations which have an impact on notable 
environmental amenities, particularly, resident and anadromous fish 
resources.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Planning 
Branch, Environmental Resources Section, P.O. Box 3755, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2255.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike McNeely, (206) 764-3624.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Howard A. Hanson Dam was originally 
authorized as the Eagle Gorge Dam and Reservoir by the Flood Control 
Act of 1950. Construction was completed in 1962. Project authorized 
purposes were flood control, augmentation of low flows, irrigation and 
water supply. Irrigation in the Green River Valley is no longer a 
priority and the project has never been operated for water supply. 
Howard Hanson Dam has arrange of operational choices within the 
parameters of the authorized uses of the project. Throughout the years 
that HHD has been in operation, many downstream changes have occurred 
in land use, recreation, k fishery resources and resource allocation as 
well as in general environmental awareness. These, in turn, have 
resulted in operational changes and adjustments primarily related to 
refilling the conservation pool and controlling sediment accumulation 
in the reservoir. Seattle District proposes to operate the project for 
flood control and low flow augmentation in accordance with a refill 
strategy instituted in 1992, a drought year. In coordination with 
resource agencies, refill will begin early (April) and discharge flows 
are designed to minimize impacts to wild steelhead spawning downstream. 
This strategy is dynamic and adjustments will be made on a year-to-year 
basis as new knowledge is gained.

Alternatives

    The Corps of Engineers has three alternative courses of action 
available:
    1. Operate the project as described above (the ``no action'' 
alternative because it is the existing condition.
    2. Operate with the original parameters generally used from 1962 to 
1983.
    3. Operate with 98% reliability with delay of refill for out-
migration of upper watershed fish--a strategy generally used from 1984 
to 1992.

Scoping and Public Involvement

    Public involvement will be sought during scoping and conduct of the 
study in accordance with NEPA procedures. A public scoping process has 
been begun to clarify issues of major concern, identify any information 
sources that might be available to analyze and evaluate impacts, and 
obtain public input on the range and acceptability of alternatives. The 
Notice of Intent formally commences the scoping process under NEPA. As 
part of the scoping process, all affected Federal, State and local 
agencies, Indian Tribes, and other interested private organizations, 
including environmental groups, are invited to comment on the scope of 
the EIS. Comments are requested concerning project alternatives, 
mitigation measures, probable significant environmental impacts and 
permits or other approvals that may be required.
    The following key areas have been identified to be analyzed in 
depth in the draft EIS:

1. Geology and Engineering Design.
2. Water Management.
3. Water Quality.
4. Fisheries.
5. Wildlife.
6. Wetlands.
7. Cultural Resources.
8. Socioeconomic Resources.

Other Environmental Review and Coordination Requirements

    All review and coordination requirements will be fulfilled via this 
NEPA process. On-going operations of the dam are continually 
coordinated with agencies and interested publics.

Scoping Meeting

    A scoping meeting is not scheduled for this EIS.

Availability of Draft EIS

    The draft EIS is scheduled for release in the spring of 1995.
Kenneth L. Denton,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-22539 Filed 9-12-94; 8:45 am]
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