[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 53977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26880]


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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION


Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact for the Reconstruction 
of Wall Lake Reservoir

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

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

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SUMMARY: On September 29, 1998 Michael C. Weland, Executive Director of 
the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission signed the 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) that documents the decision to 
fund stabilization of Wall Lake Reservoir, located in the headwaters of 
the Provo River on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Wall Lake will be 
stabilized near the natural lake level with a low or no hazard dam 
structure. The Mitigation Commission prepared an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) to determine impacts of stabilizing Wall Lake at 
various elevations. The Forest Service is joint-lead agency on the 
project.
    Wall Lake was dammed in the early 1900's for water storage. Through 
legislation (the Central Utah Project Completion Act) and several 
environmental impact statements, the determination was made to 
stabilize Wall Lake and other high elevation lakes as mitigation for 
constructing Jordanelle Reservoir, a Central Utah Project feature. When 
Jordanelle Reservoir was built, Wall Lake and other upper elevation 
reservoirs were no longer needed for water storage. Stabilization 
funding comes from Title III, Section 308 of CUPCA.
    An initial decision was made in 1995 to stabilize Wall Lake at a 
moderate elevation. This decision was recently revisited in light of 
concerns over the Forest Service's lack of resources to own and operate 
a moderate elevation dam and the cost of a moderate elevation dam 
compared to the fish and wildlife benefits achieved. The Mitigation 
Commission's Draft and Final EA evaluated the alternatives of: 
constructing a moderate elevation dam, as prescribed by the 1995 
decision; stabilizing Wall Lake at natural lake level; reconstructing 
Wall Lake as a reservoir to store water for winter instream flow 
maintenance; and, breaching the dam and stabilizing it below natural 
lake level. The public was consulted in late spring of 1996 and issues 
were raised regarding aquatic productivity, construction costs, 
aesthetics and water supply and the effect of road building and 
roadless area integrity. After considering public comments on the Draft 
EA and analyses of environmental effects, the natural lake level 
stabilization alternative was selected and the Commission issued its 
own FONSI, in accordance with its NEPA Rule (43 CFR Part 10010.20).
    Funding reconstruction of Wall Lake Reservoir at a natural level 
meets the Commission's planning objectives to incorporate public 
opinion, use an ecosystem approach, utilize the best science available 
and do so in the least environmentally damaging manner. Alternative 2, 
which this decision implements, provides benefits to fish that are 
different, yet comparable to the other alternatives. It enhances the 
recreation experience at Wall Lake and maintains the area's potential 
for wilderness designation. It also costs the least of the 
alternatives. Under Alternative 2, flow regime will be a natural 
hydrologic flow with a non-fluctuating lake level. Heavy equipment will 
be transported by driving over the exiting walk-in route to Wall Lake, 
which will subsequently be restored. No roads will be constructed. The 
original 0.8 mile wagon route, wetlands and stream banks will be 
rehabilitated. Approximately 0.2 acres of disturbed vegetation and 
soils associated with existing campsites will be rehabilitated and 20 
campsites relocated to areas naturally more resistant to human use, 
which will provide for future environmentally sensitive recreation use. 
About 1 mile of social, spur and main trails will be relocated, 
rehabilitated and/or reconstructed for future environmentally sensitive 
recreation use. No instream flows will be provided. The Forest Service 
will be the managing entity of the dam.
    A Finding of No Significant Impact is made for this action because 
it does not significantly affect public health or safety; it has no 
adverse effects on unique geographic characteristics or ecologically 
significant or critical areas; does not have highly controversial or 
potentially significant environmental effects or risks; does not 
establish a precedent for future actions and does not have an adverse 
effect on species listed or proposed to be listed as Threatened or 
endangered, or on their habitats.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information on matters 
related to this Federal Register notice can be obtained at the address 
and telephone number set forth below: Ms. Joan Degiorgio, Planning 
Manager, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 
West 500 South, Suite 315, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, Telephone: (801) 
524-3146.

    Dated: September 29, 1998.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 98-26880 Filed 10-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P