[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14932-14933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6308]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Arrowrock Dam Outlet Works Rehabilitation, INT-FES 01-12

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Department of the Interior, Bureau 
of Reclamation (Reclamation) has prepared a final environmental impact 
statement (Final EIS) to examine the impacts of alternatives to 
rehabilitate the outlet works at Arrowrock Dam. The Bureau of 
Reclamation proposes to remove 10 lower level Ensign valves and replace 
them with clamshell gates. Two action alternatives were identified that 
differed only in the timing of reservoir drawdown, and the elevation of 
Arrowrock Reservoir and Lucky Peak Lake in the third construction 
season. The preferred alternative requires a

[[Page 14933]]

longer period of drawdown of Arrowrock Reservoir, but both Arrowrock 
Reservoir and Lucky Peak Lake would remain at a higher elevation than 
with the other action alternative. Based upon comments received on the 
Draft EIS concerning impacts to water quality and bull trout, the 
preferred alternative was modified so that the probability of use of 
the sluice gates was reduced to approximately 15%. The No Action 
Alternative is also evaluated. The No Action Alternative is defined as 
the most likely future without the proposed project, and includes 
actions that would be required for an intensive maintenance program if 
the Ensign valves were not replaced.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be addressed to Mr. John Tiedeman, Bureau of 
Reclamation, 1150 N. Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise ID 83706-1234.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Tiedeman, (208) 378-5034.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Arrowrock Dam and Reservoir, completed in 
1915, were constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). The 
dam is located on the main stem Boise River about 17 river miles 
upstream from the city of Boise. Anderson Ranch Dam and Reservoir, 
located on the South Fork Boise River and generally east of Arrowrock 
Dam, were completed by Reclamation in 1950. Lucky Peak Dam and Lake, 
located to the southwest and about 11 river miles downstream of 
Arrowrock Dam, were completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(Corps) in 1957. Reclamation and the Corps operate the three storage 
dams in a coordinated method for irrigation water supply (Reclamation 
markets the water supply in Lucky Peak Lake for irrigation), flood 
control, recreation, and fish and wildlife.
    Reclamation began considering modification of Arrowrock Dam outlet 
works in 1982; some conceptual designs for replacement of some of the 
Ensign valves were developed in 1983. Over several years, various 
possible designs were identified and evaluated, and in 1987 a 
conceptual design using clamshell gates was developed. Increasing 
maintenance problems resulted in the current effort to identify and 
evaluate solutions to the maintenance problems associated with the now 
85-year old Ensign valves. The scope of this study was limited to valve 
replacement to retain and improve operational flexibility of Arrowrock 
Dam and Reservoir. Environmental effects of the action and No Action 
alternatives were analyzed for the stream reaches and reservoirs 
upstream and downstream from Arrowrock Dam and Reservoir. Potential 
environmental effects are generally limited to those associated with 
construction and the reservoir drawdowns necessary for maintenance and 
replacement of the lower outlets. One of the major concerns is about 
impacts to bull trout which are found in Arrowrock Reservoir and 
upstream; bull trout were listed as a threatened species in June, 1998.
    Reclamation's scoping process included numerous meetings with state 
and Federal agencies, local groups, and interested individuals. Notices 
of intent to prepare an EIS and to hold public scoping meetings were 
published and two public scoping meetings were held on November 20, 
1998. Public comments received during scoping were considered in the 
development of alternatives. Following release of the Draft EIS, two 
Public Hearings were held on December 12, 2000. Based upon comments 
received concerning water quality and impacts to bull trout during the 
Draft EIS review period, the preferred alternative was modified by 
reducing the probability of use of the sluice gates to15%.
    The Final EIS is available for viewing on the internet at: http://www.pn.usbr.gov/project/arrowrock/arrowrock.shtml

    Dated: March 9, 2001.
Kenneth R Pedde,
ActingRegional Director, Pacific Northwest Region.
[FR Doc. 01-6308 Filed 3-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P