[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 145 (Thursday, July 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38001-38002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18188]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Bonneville Power Administration


Mid-Columbia Coho Restoration Project

AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy 
(DOE).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) and notice of floodplain and wetlands involvement.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces BPA's intention to prepare an EIS on 
funding the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (YN) to 
undertake the reintroduction of coho salmon into mid-Columbia River 
basin tributaries. The reintroduction would occur in the Methow and 
Wenatchee river basins in Chelan and Okanogan counties, Washington. The 
proposed reintroduction project would use both existing hatchery 
facilities as well as require construction of some new permanent and 
temporary facilities and modification of existing sites to serve as 
semi-natural rearing areas for juvenile coho.
    With this Notice of Intent, BPA is initiating the public scoping 
process for the EIS. BPA is requesting comments about potential 
environmental impacts that it should consider as it prepares the EIS 
for the proposed project, as well as comments on other alternatives 
that may meet the goals of the project.
    In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain 
and wetlands environmental review requirements, BPA will prepare a 
floodplain and wetlands assessment to avoid or minimize potential harm 
to or within any affected floodplains and wetlands. The assessment will 
be included in the EIS.

DATES: Written scoping comments are due to the address below no later 
than September 15, 2009. Comments may also be made at the EIS scoping 
meetings to be held on August 20, 2009 and August 21, 2009 at the 
addresses below.

ADDRESSES: Send letters with comments and suggestions on the proposed 
scope of the Draft EIS, and requests to be placed on the project 
mailing list, to Bonneville Power Administration, Public Affairs 
Office--DKE-7, P.O. Box 14428, Portland, OR 97293-4428, or by fax to 
(503) 230-3285. You also may call BPA's toll free comment line at (800) 
622-4519 and leave a message (please include the name of this project), 
or submit comments online at http://www.bpa.gov/comment. BPA will post 
all comment letters in their entirety on BPA's Web site at http://www.bpa.gov/comment.
    On Thursday, August, 20, 2009, a scoping meeting will be held from 
6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Chelan Fire District 3 Community Center in 
Leavenworth, Washington. On Friday, August 21, 2009, a scoping meeting 
will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Methow Valley Community 
Center in Twisp, Washington. At these meetings, we will provide a brief 
presentation of the proposal, beginning about 7 p.m. We will take 
comments and answer questions during the presentation. Following the 
presentation, members of the project team will be available to answer 
questions, accept oral and written comments, and provide maps and other 
information about the project. You may stop by anytime during the open 
house.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Hollen, Environmental 
Coordinator, Bonneville Power Administration--KEC-4, P.O. Box 3621, 
Portland, Oregon 97208-3621; toll-free telephone 1-800-282-3713; direct 
telephone 503-230-5756; or e-mail [email protected]. Additional 
information can be found at BPA's Web site: http://www.efw.bpa.gov/environmental_services/nepadocs.aspx, click on ``Project Reviews--
Active,'' then use the drop-down box and click on Mid-Columbia Coho 
Restoration Project.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1999, BPA prepared an Environmental 
Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact to support the funding of 
the YN-proposed Mid-Columbia Coho Restoration Feasibility Project. Over 
the past 10 years, the feasibility project has indicated that the 
concepts that were tested have the potential to result in the 
successful re-introduction of naturally reproducing populations of 
coho. The YN has also prepared a Master Plan to assess and guide the 
development of the full reintroduction program based on what was 
learned from the feasibility study and comments from the Northwest 
Power and Conservation Council's (NPCC) Independent Scientific Review 
Panel (ISRP).
    Alternatives Proposed for Consideration. BPA is currently

[[Page 38002]]

considering two action alternatives for evaluation in the EIS. The 
alternatives propose a combination of sites used in the feasibility 
study and new hatchery sites and juvenile rearing sites. The difference 
between the alternatives is largely the number and distribution of 
juvenile rearing sites.
     Master Plan Alternative: The Master Plan alternative would 
follow the steps and transition points for the reintroduction phases 
described in the Master Plan. This alternative would include 20 
juvenile rearing sites distributed throughout the Wenatchee and Methow 
basins. The number and distribution is intended to optimize the use of 
resources and result in efficient distribution of returning adults to 
the best habitat while minimizing potential interactions with other 
salmon species.
     Reduced Production Alternative: This alternative would 
follow the same implementation steps as described in the Master Plan, 
but would use fewer juvenile rearing sites with a corresponding 
decrease in released juveniles. This is intended to further reduce 
inter-species competition and potential water quality effects.
    BPA is also considering the No Action Alternative, that is, not 
funding the YN's proposal. Under the no action alternative the YN would 
use internal non-federal funding to implement their proposal but the 
scope of the proposed activities would be less than the Reduced 
Production Alternative. Other alternatives may be identified through 
the scoping process.
    Public Participation and Identification of Environmental Issues. 
The potential environmental issues identified for this reintroduction 
project include threatened and endangered species, sensitive plants and 
animals, fisheries, water quality and quantity, land use, 
socioeconomics, cultural resources, soil erosion, wetlands, and 
floodplains. BPA has established a 45-day scoping period during which 
tribes, affected landowners, concerned citizens, special interest 
groups, local and Federal governments, and any other interested parties 
are invited to comment on the scope of the proposed EIS, including 
potential alternatives to be considered and environmental impacts to be 
evaluated. Scoping will help BPA ensure that a full range of issues 
related to this proposal is addressed in the EIS, and also will 
identify significant or potentially significant impacts that may result 
from the proposed project. When completed, the Draft EIS will be 
circulated for review and comment, and BPA will hold public meetings to 
answer questions and receive comments. BPA will consider and respond to 
comments received on the Draft EIS in the Final EIS. The Final EIS is 
expected to be published in late summer 2011. BPA's decision will be 
documented in a Record of Decision that will follow the Final EIS.

    Issued in Portland, Oregon, on July 22, 2009.
Stephen J. Wright,
Administrator and Chief Executive Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-18188 Filed 7-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P