[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 156 (Thursday, August 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43447-43448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21771]


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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment for 
the Angler-Access Mitigation Program Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection 
System, Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of the Proposed Action is to complete several 
mitigation obligations that were identified as mitigation for the 
construction and operation of the Bonneville Unit of the Central Utah 
Project. As originally planned in 1965, construction of the Bonneville 
Unit was estimated to inundate approximately 40 miles of stream habitat 
and adversely impact an additional 240 miles of streams by altering 
stream flows. It was estimated that 73 percent of the adult trout 
habitat on impacted streams would be lost as a result of constructing 
and operating the Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System (SACS), a 
feature of the Bonneville Unit. To mitigate for these impacts, several 
mitigation obligations were identified. Although the emphasis of this 
Draft Environmental Assessment is achieving angler access, several 
other mitigation measures are addressed. The mitigation obligations 
that are addressed by the Proposed Action are as follows:
     The 1988 Aquatic Mitigation Plan for the Bonneville Unit 
identified the acquisition of 51 miles of angler access on seven 
impacted streams as partial mitigation for the construction and 
operation of SACS. Approximately 42.25 of the 51 miles identified for 
angler-access acquisition have already

[[Page 43448]]

been acquired. Under the Proposed Action, the remaining access would be 
acquired.
     The 1987 Wildlife Mitigation Plan for the Bonneville Unit 
identified measures to mitigate for impacts on terrestrial wildlife 
from the construction and operation of the Bonneville Unit of the 
Central Utah Project. The Wildlife Mitigation Plan identified the 
acquisition and management of 32,096 acres of terrestrial wildlife 
habitat as mitigation. All but 388 acres has previously been acquired, 
primarily within or adjacent to the angler-access corridors. Under the 
Proposed Action, all or a portion of the remaining 388 acres of 
terrestrial wildlife would be acquired. In addition, the Proposed 
Action would establish a management direction consistent with the 
mitigation requirements.
     The 1987 Wetland Mitigation Plan for the Bonneville Unit 
identified measures to mitigate for impacts on wetlands from the 
construction and operation the Bonneville Unit. An analysis of wetland 
losses showed that the construction of Jordanelle Dam and Reservoir and 
associated highway relocations would result in a loss of approximately 
153 acres of emergent wetlands consisting of both open meadows and 
shrub meadows. The Wetland Mitigation Plan for the Bonneville Unit 
identifies, among other things, protection and enhancement of 26.6 
acres of wetlands on Currant Creek, 14.76 acres on the middle 
Strawberry River, and 85.1 acres on Rock Creek, within the angler-
access corridors, as partial mitigation for these impacts. Under the 
Proposed Action, additional wetland acres would be acquired for this 
purpose. In addition, the management direction would be established to 
ensure wetland areas are managed to protect and enhance their wetland 
values.

DATES: Comments are most useful if received by September 8, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Copies of the the Draft Environmental 
Assessment or Executive Summary can be obtained at the address and 
telephone number below: Richard Mingo, Natural Resource Specialist, 
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500 
South, Suite 315, Salt Lake City, UT 84101-2328, Telephone: (801) 524-
3146.

    Dated: August 6, 1998.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 98-21771 Filed 8-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P