[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 44 (Friday, March 5, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10508-10509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5012]


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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION


Notice of Availability of the Decision Notice and Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) for Implementation of Fish and Wildlife 
Mitigation Features, Uinta Basin Replacement Project in Duchesne 
County, UT

AGENCY: Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and 
Conservation Commission (Mitigation Commission) proposes to implement 
measures to mitigate for adverse impacts on fish and wildlife resources 
associated with the Uinta Basin Replacement Project.
    The Uinta Basin Replacement Project is a feature of the Bonneville 
Unit of the Central Utah Project, authorized by Section 203 of the 
Central Utah Project Completion Act (CUPCA; Titles II through VI of 
Pub. L. 102-575, as amended). The U.S. Department of the Interior--
Central Utah Project (CUP) Completion Act Office, and the Central Utah 
Water Conservancy District documented environmental effects of 
constructing the Uinta Basin Replacement Project in a 2001 
environmental assessment (EA). The Draft EA was developed with public 
input and the Final EA refined based upon public comment. The U.S. 
Department of the Interior--CUP Completion Act Office issued a Finding 
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on October 19, 2001. The Lake Fork 
Alternative was selected for implementation and will be constructed 
near Upalco, Utah. The project will affect resources in the upper Lake 
Fork and Yellowstone river drainages. The Mitigation Commission has 
responsibility under Section 301(f)(3) of CUPCA to mitigate for adverse 
impacts on fish and wildlife resources.

[[Page 10509]]

    Based on analysis contained in the Final EA, the Mitigation 
Commission commits to implement the following elements of fish and 
wildlife mitigation or enhancement as follows: (1) Modify outlet works 
at Moon Lake Dam and Reservoir to allow for winter-time operation. Such 
operation is necessary to provide increased instream flows in Lake Fork 
River downstream of the Moon Lake Dam, to fulfill a project purpose and 
commitment. (2) Stabilize, at elevations at or within five feet of 
natural elevation, 13 high mountain lakes in the Lake Fork and 
Yellowstone river headwaters (Brown Duck, Kidney, Island and Clements 
in the Lake Fork drainage; Bluebell, Drift, Five Point, Superior, 
Farmers, East Timothy, White Miller, Deer and Water Lily in the 
Yellowstone drainage). (3) Mitigate for all wetland/wildlife habitat 
impacts, including those required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
Section 404 Permit, by restoring, creating or replacing wetlands and 
wildlife habitats impacted by construction and operation of the Lake 
Fork Alternative.
    The above actions meet the Mitigation Commission's objective of 
implementing the Uinta Basin Replacement Project Mitigation program 
element of its five-year plan, and do so in the least environmentally 
damaging manner. Of the alternatives analyzed under the EA, the Lake 
Fork Alternative (which this decision implements as it pertains to fish 
and wildlife mitigation and enhancement) provides the least 
environmentally damaging alternative and the greatest degree of 
mitigation and enhancement. The decision is consistent with the U.S. 
Department of the Interior--CUP Completion Act Office's October, 2001 
FONSI.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FONSI can be obtained from the Utah 
Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500 South, 
Suite 315, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101.
    The FONSI may also be viewed on our agency Web site via the 
following address: http://www.mitigationcommission.gov/news.html

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Mingo, Planning 
Coordinator, 801-524-3146.

    Dated: February 24, 2004.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-5012 Filed 3-4-04; 8:45 am]
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