[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 205 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55225-55226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28157]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Bonneville Power Administration


Upper Grande Ronde Supplementation Program

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

ACTION: Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces BPA's proposal to construct acclimation 
ponds for the Grande Ronde River spring chinook in floodplain and 
wetlands located in Union and Wallowa Counties, Oregon. A total of 
three acclimation sites would be developed in the Upper Grande River, 
the Lostine River and Catherine Creek tributaries within the Grande 
Ronde Subbasin of the Snake River Drainage in northeastern Oregon. It 
is the intent of the BPA, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes 
of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Oregon Department of Fish and 
Wildlife, and the National Marine Fisheries Service to prevent the 
extinction and restore the population of the spring chinook within the 
tributaries.
    In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain 
and wetlands environmental review requirements, BPA will prepare a 
floodplain and wetlands assessment and would perform this proposed 
action in a manner so as to avoid or minimize potential harm to or 
within the affected floodplain and wetlands. The assessment will be 
included in the environmental assessment being prepared for the 
proposed project in accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act. A floodplain statement of findings will be 
included in any finding of no significant impact that may be issued 
following the completion of the environmental assessment.

DATE: Comments are due to the address below no later than November 7, 
1997.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Kenneth C. Kirkman, EC-4, Bonneville 
Power Administration, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621, 
phone number 503-230-5557, fax number 503-230-4089.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The juvenile spring chinook captive 
broodstock acclimation facilities most likely would be located on 
floodplains and/or wetlands because they need to be

[[Page 55226]]

constructed close to the stream or river banks to be able to utilize 
the rivers for a source of flow through water. The acclimation ponds 
will be constructed of metal and some earth work, cutting and filling, 
will be required; maybe a total of 140 cubic yards. The acclimation 
facilities are located at the following sites: (1) the Lostine River at 
T1S, R43E, Section 27 (Lostine, OR quad); (2) the Catherine Creek at 
the T5S, R 41E, Section 21 (Medical Springs, OR quad); and (3) the 
Upper Grande Ronde at T6S, R 36E, Section 5 (Limber Jim Creek, OR 
quad).

    Maps and further information are available from BPA at the 
address above.

    Issued in Portland, Oregon, on October 15, 1997.
Thomas C. McKinney,
NEPA Compliance Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-28157 Filed 10-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P