[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1148-1149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-447]


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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION


Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact 
for the Reconstruction of the Kamas State Fish Hatchery

AGENCY: The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission 
(Mitigation Commission).

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI).

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SUMMARY: On December 30, 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 reconstruction of the Kamas State Fish Hatchery in Summit 
County, Utah. The hatchery will be reconstructed near the city of Kamas 
as a fish, wildlife and recreation feature of the Bonneville Unit of 
the Central Utah Project. The Mitigation Commission and the Utah 
Division of Wildlife Resources documented the environmental effects of 
reconstructing the hatchery in an environmental assessment (EA). The

[[Page 1149]]

Draft EA was developed with public input and the Final EA refined based 
upon public comment. The Commission has found the EA adequate for its 
decision to fund the reconstruction of the Proposed Action and has 
issued its FONSI in accordance with the Commission's NEPA Rule (43 CFR 
Part 10010.20).
    The hatchery and associated features to be reconstructed are 
supported by the 1994 Fish Hatchery Production Plan and its EA and 
FONSI (1995) and by the 1997 Draft EA on the revised Fish Hatchery 
Production Plan, prepared in accordance with and in fulfillment of the 
Central Utah Project Completion Act of 1992 (Titles II through VI of 
Public Law 102-575).
    Funding the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to reconstruct the 
Kamas State Fish Hatchery initiates meeting the sport fish recreation 
and native fish recovery and conservation needs identified in the Fish 
Hatchery Production Plan and does so in the least environmentally 
damaging manner. Of the alternatives analyzed under the EA, the 
Preferred Alternative, which this decision implements, enhances 
wetlands, reduces fish disease risks, increases educational 
opportunities, decreases effluent total suspended solids and increases 
employee and visitor safety.
    The Fish and Wildlife planning aid letter issued under the 
authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401; as 
amended, 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.) stated that the Fish and Wildlife 
Service supported the Preferred Alternative as it ``will increase fish 
production, while having little environmental impact . . .''. Informal 
consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicated that no 
threatened or endangered species are known to inhabit the hatchery 
site. Although a small area of wetlands will be impacted by 
construction, incorporation of enhancement measures (including 
restoration of a water source to historic wetlands) compensates for 
these impacts. None of the environmental impacts of this action are 
considered significant or highly controversial. Certain structures 
qualify for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. These 
structures (e.g., residence, shed) lack structural integrity and no 
longer play a useful role in the hatchery operations. They will be 
demolished to allow for the improved facilities. State and historic 
preservation laws require consultation with historic preservation 
officials prior to demolition. This process has been initiated and 
qualifying structures have been documented with a series of photographs 
and/or schematic drawings. This will ensure that the historic value of 
these structures is retained after construction.
    The action is related to other potential future actions, 
specifically the improvement or construction of other State, Federal or 
Tribal fish hatcheries. The future construction projects will require 
separate NEPA compliance. The programmatic perspective has been 
considered in a separate NEPA document addressing fish hatchery 
improvement throughout the State.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the FONSI, of the Final EA, 
or additional information on matters related to this Federal Register 
notice can be obtained at the address and telephone number below: Ms. 
Maureen Wilson, Project Coordinator, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and 
Conservation Commission, 102 West 500 South, Suite 315 Salt Lake City, 
UT 84101 Telephone: (801) 524-3146.

    Dated: December 31, 1997.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 98-447 Filed 1-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P