[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42112-42113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20557]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Bonneville Power Administration


Methow/Wenatchee Coho Supplementation Project

AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy 
(DOE).

ACTION: Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces BPA's proposal to construct rearing/
acclimation ponds for coho salmon in floodplain and wetlands located in 
Okanogan County, Washington. A total of three to five fish acclimation 
sites will be developed in the Methow River basin on two tributaries, 
the Twisp and

[[Page 42113]]

Chewuch rivers, and the Methow mainstem. The Methow is a tributary to 
the Columbia River and is located in North Central Washington. It is 
the intent of the BPA, the Yakama Indian Nation and Washington 
Department of Fish and Wildlife to restore extirpated coho salmon to 
the mid-Columbia River basin. By experimenting with releases at 
different life stages and release locations using acclimation ponds, 
more knowledge will be gained about the benefits of acclimation and the 
rearing of hatchery-influenced fish in more natural environments. This 
knowledge will help resource managers to make better decisions about 
how best to implement supplementation to further the goal of rebuilding 
coho salmon populations throughout the mid-Columbia River basin.
    In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain 
and wetlands environmental review requirements, BPA will prepare a 
floodplain and wetlands assessment and will perform this proposed 
action in a manner so as to avoid or minimize potential harm to or 
within the affected floodplain and wetlands. After BPA issues the 
assessment, a floodplain statement of findings will be published if 
necessary, in the Federal Register.

DATES: Comments are due to the address below no later than August 20, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to Communications, Bonneville Power 
Administration--ACS-7, P.O. Box 12999, Portland, Oregon, 97212. 
Internet address: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yvonne E. Boss--ECP-4, Bonneville 
Power Administration, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621, 
phone number 503-230-3596, fax number 503-230-5699.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Because the experimental strategy is to 
utilize acclimation sites that reflect a strong natural influence such 
as river side channels, canals, and existing ponds, some sites may be 
located in the floodplain and/or wetlands. The typical ponds 
constructed at each site will have earthen bottoms with concrete inlet 
and outlet structures and PVC water pipelines. Several sites on the 
Methow mainstem between the town of Carlton and the Lost River, T33N, 
R21E, Section 3 (approximately RM 20 to RM 60) are being considered. 
Other potential sites in the floodplain are located on the Twisp River, 
T33N, R21E, Section 10, T33N, R21E, Section 8 (RM 1 to RM 25) and the 
Chewuch River, (RM 0 to RM 1). To provide rearing/acclimation space for 
the coho salmon, as much as 35,700 cubic feet of earth may be removed 
from each site to construct the ponds in accordance with biological 
criteria.
    Maps and further information are available from BPA at the address 
above.

    Issued in Portland, Oregon, on July 28, 1997.
Thomas C. McKinney,
NEPA Compliance Office.
[FR Doc. 97-20557 Filed 8-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P