[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