[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 59 (Friday, March 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15928-15929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6810]


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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION


Notice of Availability of the Decision Notice and Finding of No 
Significant Impact for the Warm-Water Interim Hatchery Facility in 
Cache County, UT

AGENCY: Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: On September 24, 2003 the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and 
Conservation Commission (Commission) and the Utah Division of Wildlife 
Resources (Division) released an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
evaluating construction and operation of an interim warm-water fish 
hatchery to produce stockable June sucker (Chasmistes liorus), which is 
listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The 
EA considers two potential sites for the Interim Facility: the first 
site is on approximately 2.4 acres of Utah State land at Goshen Warm 
Springs in the City of Genola, Utah County, Utah (Goshen Warm Springs 
Alternative); the second site is on approximately 0.1 acre of Utah 
State land operated as the Fisheries Experiment Station (FES) in Logan, 
Utah (FES Alternative).
    The June sucker, a fish endemic to Utah Lake that spawns in the 
Provo River, is a species targeted for recovery. The USFWS listed the 
species as endangered with critical habitat in 1986. In 1999, the USFWS 
adopted a June Sucker Recovery Plan with a stated goal to prevent the 
extinction of the species and eventually remove the fish from the 
endangered species list. A 1998 Fish Hatchery Production Plan developed 
by the Commission and the Division identified an immediate need for 
June sucker production. In order to offset a further decline in June 
sucker numbers until a permanent Production Facility could be planned 
and constructed, the Interim Facility is proposed for immediate 
construction and operation.
    After careful review of impacts to affected resources analyzed in 
the EA, and examination of public comments, the Commission and the 
Division have selected the preferred alternative (FES Alternative), to 
construct the Interim Facility at the existing facility in Logan, Utah, 
for implementation. The FES is managed by the Division and is currently 
rearing June sucker for use as broodstock. The facility will be an 
approximately 4,200 square-foot addition to an existing building, 
allowing space for fish tanks as well as equipment necessary for water 
recirculation and heating, and will have an annual production capacity 
of 36,000 stockable June sucker at 8.5 inches in length.
    The Commission and the Division selected the FES Alternative 
because no significant impacts will be created, and because the FES 
Alternative provides the best opportunity to meet interim production 
needs for June sucker while maintaining cost efficiency. Additional 
security will not have to be provided, as at Goshen Warm Springs, 
because of existing coverage at the FES. The FES Alternative would be 
substantially less expensive to construct and operate, because of the 
existing infrastructure (parking, utilities, etc.) and proximity to 
existing June sucker brood stock production at FES.
    The Environmentally Preferred Alternative is the FES Alternative. 
The FES Alternative has less overall associated environmental impacts 
than the Goshen Warm Springs Alternative. The FES Alternative would: be 
sited, primarily, on Utah State lands currently developed for 
aquaculture operations; require less land conversion and development; 
result in no surface water quality impacts; and result in no direct 
wetland impacts. The action, along with identified requisite 
mitigation, is consistent with Commission and Division policies and 
other laws and regulations.
    The FES alternative does not constitute an action that normally 
requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 
Information derived from public involvement, including that from other 
agencies, was considered and factored into the decision. Since the 
preferred alternative, as mitigated, will not cause unacceptable 
impacts, or create unsafe or unhealthful conditions, it is appropriate 
to approve the action considering governing laws and policies. Based on 
the foregoing, it was determined that an EIS is not required for this 
project and thus will not be prepared.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FONSI can be obtained from the Utah 
Reclamation

[[Page 15929]]

Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500 South, Suite 315, 
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Wilson, (801) 524-3146.

    Dated: March 17, 2004.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-6810 Filed 3-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P