[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 11945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5935]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed 
Restoration of a Portion of Icicle Creek Near Leavenworth National Fish 
Hatchery, Chelan County, WA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. Cooperating Agency: Forest 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) and U.S. Forest Service intend to gather information 
necessary for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS). The EIS will consider, analyze and disclose the potential 
environmental impacts of a site specific restoration project on Icicle 
Creek. The proposed restoration site is approximately 3 miles south of 
the town of Leavenworth, Washington on the grounds of the Leavenworth 
National Fish Hatchery. The restoration objectives include: (1) 
Providing passage to habitat above the hatchery to native fish, and (2) 
restoring the historic Icicle Creek channel within the hatchery 
grounds. To achieve these objectives, alternative restoration 
strategies may include the following actions: modification or removal 
of weirs in the original channel; removal of the diversion dam from 
Icicle Creek and restoration of streamflow in the historic channel; 
removal of silt that has built up in holding ponds in the historic 
channel; and removal of the canal and energy dispersion spillway. This 
notice is being furnished pursuant to the Council on Environmental 
Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7 and 
1508.22) to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and 
the public on the scope of issues and alternatives to be considered in 
preparation of the EIS.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope and analysis of this proposal 
should be received by June 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the scope of the EIS should be addressed 
to Greg Pratschner, National Fish Hatchery Manager, 12790 Fish Hatchery 
Road, Leavenworth, Washington 98826. Comments should be received on or 
before June 1, 1999, at the above address. Written comments may also be 
sent by facsimile to (509) 548-6263. Comments received will be 
available for public inspection by appointment during normal business 
hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) at the above 
office; please call for an appointment. All comments received will 
become part of the administrative record and may be released.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corky Broaddus, Public Information 
Officer, Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, 12790 Fish Hatchery Road, 
Leavenworth, Washington 98826; phone (509) 548-7641.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed Icicle Creek Restoration 
Project was prompted by citizens interested in re-establishing fish 
passage to upper Icicle Creek. The original design of the Leavenworth 
National Fish Hatchery involved diverting the majority of the flow of 
Icicle Creek to a canal and construction of holding dams and ponds in 
the original channel. These structures effectively blocked upper Icicle 
Creek to fish passage and reduced the effective stream channel by 1.5 
miles. Since these structures are no longer necessary for hatchery 
operation, a fish passage and stream restoration project has been 
proposed. The environmental analysis will examine different ways to 
restore this portion of Icicle Creek as well as re-establish fish 
passage.
    A range of alternatives for stream restoration will be considered, 
including: a no action alternative (maintaining the current situation), 
an alternative that would remove all unnecessary in-stream structures, 
an alternative that would remove silt which has been deposited in the 
historic stream channel and an alternative where diversion of the main 
flow of Icicle Creek would be returned to the historic channel. Other 
alternatives may be developed in response the comments received during 
public scoping.
    To date the following issues have been identified: hydrologic and 
sedimentation concerns, potential water quality changes, tribal 
fishing, recreational fishing, irrigation or water rights, hatchery 
operations, economic concerns, heritage values, and sensitive plants, 
animals and fish.
    The decision to be made through this analysis is where, how, and to 
what extent should stream restoration and fish passage projects be 
implemented at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery.
    The U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, has agreed to 
participate as a cooperating agency to evaluate potential effects to 
sensitive plants and animals and to recreation in upper Icicle Creek, 
and to provide hydrologic and planning skills. Public participation 
will be especially important at several points during the analysis. The 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking information, comments and 
assistance from federal, state, tribal, and local agencies, as well as 
individuals and organizations who may be interested or be affected by 
the proposed actions. This information will be used in preparation of 
the draft EIS. The scoping process includes: (1) Identifying potential 
issues; (2) identifying additional alternatives; and (3) identifying 
potential environmental effects of the proposed alternatives. The 
Service invites written comments on the scope of this project. In 
addition, the Service gives notice of this analysis so the interested 
and affected people are aware of how they may participate and 
contribute to the final decision.

    Dated: March 3, 1999.
Don Weathers,
Regional Director, Region 1, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5935 Filed 3-9-99; 8:45 am]
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