[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18975-18976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9790]


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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION


Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact 
for the Revised Fish Hatchery Production Plan

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 April 2, 1998, 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 implement the Revised Fish Hatchery Production Plan (Plan). The Plan 
is programmatic in nature. It provides for the reconstruction of two 
cold-water hatcheries: Kamas and Whiterocks State Fish Hatcheries; the 
partial rehabilitation of one cold-water hatchery: Jones Hole National 
Fish Hatchery; the construction of two new cold-water hatcheries: 
Fountain Green State Fish Hatchery and Big Springs Tribal Hatchery; the 
construction of a new warm-water hatchery at either Gandy or Goshen 
Warm Springs; and an interim native species hatchery. It also includes 
wetland and/or wildlife habitat enhancement and conversion, improved 
public education opportunities, stream-side hatching units and new 
staff residences.
    The Mitigation Commission documented the environmental effects of 
implementing the Revised Plan in an environmental assessment (EA). The 
Draft EA was developed with public input and the Final EA refined based 
upon public comment. The Draft and Final EA and Plan were distributed 
to 115 organizations or individuals. The Commission has found the EA 
adequate for its decision to fund the implementation of the Proposed 
Action and has issued its FONSI in accordance with the Commission's 
NEPA Rule (43 CFR 10010.20).
    The Plan incorporates updated feasibility-level cost estimates and 
long-term fish-stocking needs. The original 1994 Plan was prepared by 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in accordance with and in 
fulfillment of the Central Utah Project Completion Act of 1992 (Titles 
II through VI of Pub. L. 102-575).
    Implementing the Plan meets the objective of the Central Utah 
Project Completion Act (CUPCA, section 313(c), Fish Hatchery 
Production) to increase production of warm- and cold-water fishes for 
areas affected by the Colorado River Storage Project in Utah, by 
increasing hatchery production capacity. At the same time, the Plan 
meets the Commission's mandate to restore, maintain or enhance the 
biological productivity and diversity of natural ecosystems. This 
ecosystem restoration standard is met through the provision of the Plan 
that incorporates the Division's stocking policy, and requires a Tribal 
stocking policy to reduce the impacts of past practices; includes an 
education component to educate the public on the use of hatcheries as a 
tool to meet a management need, and on the importance of habitat to 
sustain both wild and stocked fish populations;

[[Page 18976]]

allocates almost half of the $22.8 million identified in CUPCA 313(c) 
to fund a new warm-water hatchery, and an interim facility, with the 
main objective of native fish and amphibian restoration and 
conservation.
    Environmental impacts of this action are not considered significant 
or highly controversial. Some site-specific impacts may occur with the 
implementation of the Plan. The incorporation of enhancement measures 
to compensate for construction impacts will be included on a site-
specific basis.
    The Plan is related to potential future actions, specifically the 
improvement or construction of the State, Federal or Tribal fish 
hatcheries. These future construction projects will require separate 
NEPA compliance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 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: April 2, 1998.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 98-9790 Filed 4-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P