Nimbus Hatchery Fish Passage Project, Lower American River, California, 60804-60805 [2010-24609]

Download as PDF 60804 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 190 / Friday, October 1, 2010 / Notices Dated: September 1, 2010. Theresa E. Rabot, Deputy Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1, Portland, Oregon. [FR Doc. 2010–24730 Filed 9–30–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLOPRP0600 L51010000.ER0000 LVRWH09H0600; HAG 10–0338] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the West Butte Wind Power Right-ofWay, Crook and Deschutes Counties, OR Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Deschutes Resource Area, Prineville, Oregon, has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the West Butte Wind Power Right-of-Way and by this Notice is announcing its availability. DATES: A Record of Decision (ROD) may be signed no sooner than 30 days after the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register. The availability of the ROD will be announced through a subsequent Federal Register notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Storo, BLM West Butte Wind Power Right of Way Project Lead: telephone (541) 416–6885; address 3050 NE. 3rd Street, Prineville, Oregon 97754; e-mail: or_west_butte_eis@blm.gov. SUMMARY: The applicant, West Butte Wind Power, LLC, has requested a right-of-way (ROW) authorization to construct 3.9 miles of road and an adjacent power transmission line on public land to support the construction of up to 52 wind turbines and ancillary facilities on adjacent private land. The portion of the project on public lands is the ‘‘Proposed Action.’’ Actions occurring on private land are called ‘‘connected actions.’’ The project is 25 air miles southeast of Bend, Oregon, located on the north side of US Highway 20. The Draft EIS analyzing impacts of the project was released for public comment on April 2, 2010 [75 FR 16828]. Approximately 36 comments were received on the Draft EIS. The comments were incorporated, where appropriate, to clarify the analysis presented in the Final EIS. The Final EIS analyzes a No Action Alternative, the Proposed Action, and one other alternative. These alternatives were shaped in part by comments received from the public and internal BLM review. Alternative 1—Proposed Action. This alternative includes the granting of a ROW for construction and operation of an access road and transmission line across lands administered by the BLM. Consideration of this alternative includes an analysis of the connected action of West Butte Wind Power constructing and operating a wind farm and associated facilities (e.g., access road, transmission line, substation, and an operations and maintenance building) on privately held lands. Alternative 2—Northern Access Road Alternative. This alternative includes an analysis of an alternate main access road through the Juniper Acres Development, the facilities related to the connected action as described in Alternative 1, and a ROW through BLM-administered public land for a 3.9-mile transmission line. Alternative 3—No Action Alternative. This alternative includes denying a ROW for construction and operation of an access road and transmission line across lands administered by the BLM. The preferred alternative is Alternative 1, the Proposed Action. Coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is occurring to ensure that an Avian Protection Plan is prepared that will sufficiently address overall project impacts to golden eagles. Deborah J. Henderson-Norton, BLM Prineville District Manager. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 1506.10 [FR Doc. 2010–24557 Filed 9–30–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–33–P emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:34 Sep 30, 2010 Jkt 220001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Nimbus Hatchery Fish Passage Project, Lower American River, California Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) and notice of public meetings. AGENCY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Reclamation, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the lead Federal agency, and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), acting as the lead State agency, have made available for public review and comment a Draft EIS/EIR for the Nimbus Hatchery Fish Passage Project (Project). The purpose of the Project is to create and maintain a reliable system for collecting adult fish at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery (Hatchery). Reclamation maintains the Hatchery to meet mitigation obligations for spawning areas blocked by construction of Nimbus Dam. CDFG operates the Hatchery under a contract with Reclamation and is responsible for the management of the fishery resources within the adjacent lower American River. The Hatchery was constructed in 1955 under the American River Basin Development Act (October 14, 1949, 63 Stat. 852) along with Nimbus and Folsom Dams. The Draft EIS/EIR describes and presents the environmental effects of three action alternatives and the No-Action Alternative. Written comments will be accepted from agencies, organizations and individuals on the Draft EIS/EIR. DATES: Submit written comments on the Draft EIS/EIR by November 30, 2010. Public meetings will be held to receive comments on the Draft EIS/EIR and provide further clarification regarding the Project on Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the Draft EIS/EIR to Mr. David Robinson, Central California Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630– 1799; or e-mail at IBRFOODHatchPass@usbr.gov. Public meetings will be held at the California State University Sacramento Aquatic Center, 1901 Hazel Avenue, Gold River, CA 95670. Copies of the Draft EIS/EIR may be requested from Ms. Janet Sierzputowski at 916–978–5112, TTY 916–978–5608, or e-mail at jsierzputowski@usbr.gov. The Draft EIS/EIR is also accessible from the following Web sites: https:// www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/ nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=5216 or https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/ hatchery/. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for locations where copies of the Draft EIS/EIR are available for public review. Mr. David Robinson at the CCAO general telephone number 916–988–1707, TTY 916–989–7285, or e-mail at IBR2FOODHatchPass@usbr.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM 01OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 190 / Friday, October 1, 2010 / Notices The Draft EIS/EIR documents the direct, indirect and cumulative effects to the physical, biological, and socioeconomic environment that may result from construction of the Project. The purpose of the Project is to create and maintain a reliable system for collecting adult fish to assist Reclamation in meeting mitigation obligations for spawning areas blocked by the construction of Nimbus Dam. Other objectives are to (1) minimize annual operations and maintenance costs, (2) eliminate the need to reduce river flows for weir superstructure repairs, maintenance, and annual installation, which in turn increases operational flexibility, and (3) improve public and worker safety. The Draft EIS/EIR evaluates three action alternatives and the No-Action alternative. Alternative 1 consists of the construction of a new fish passageway from the Hatchery to an area near the south end of the Nimbus Dam stilling basin, removal of the existing fish diversion weir, and potential modification of fishing regulations. The removal of the existing weir would allow the fish to access the stilling basin area. Because of the potential for fishing to significantly impact fishery resources, two regulatory options, Alternatives 1A and 1C, are being considered. CDFG is evaluating potential changes in fishing regulations to help protect spawning salmon and steelhead and to maintain fish passage to the hatchery. Reclamation is evaluating potential changes in public access to the stilling basin that best meet project purposes. Alternative 2 involves replacing the existing fish diversion weir with a new weir immediately upstream of its current location. The existing permanent and seasonal fishing closures would remain in effect, unchanged. However, a new weir would be much more effective in preventing fish from entering the river and stilling basin upstream from the Hatchery. The No-Action Alternative would be the continuation of the existing regulatory conditions. The existing weir would not be replaced. The existing permanent and seasonal fishing closures would remain in effect, unchanged. Copies of the Draft EIS/EIR are available for public review at the following locations: • Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Regional Library, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. • Central California Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630. • Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River, CA 95670. emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:34 Sep 30, 2010 Jkt 220001 Special Assistance for Public Meetings If special assistance is required to participate in the public meetings, please contact Ms. Janet Sierzputowski at 916–978–5112, TTY 916–978–5608, or e-mail jsierzputowski@usbr.gov. Please notify Ms. Sierzputowski as far in advance as possible to enable Reclamation to secure the needed services. If a request cannot be honored, the requestor will be notified. Public Disclosure Before including your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: March 11, 2010. Pablo R. Arroyave, Deputy Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region. Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the Federal Register on September 27, 2010. [FR Doc. 2010–24609 Filed 9–30–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLUTG01100–09–L13100000–EJ0000] Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Gasco Uinta Basin Natural Gas Development Project, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, UT Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and associated regulations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluates, analyzes, and discloses to the public direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of a proposal to develop natural gas in Uintah and Duchesne Counties, Utah. This notice announces a 45-day public comment period to meet the requirements of the NEPA and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60805 The Draft EIS will be available for public review for 45 calendar days following the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM can best use comments and resource information submitted within the 45-day review period. Public meetings will be held during the 45-day public comment period in Vernal, Duchesne, and Price, Utah. The dates, times, and places will be announced through local news media and the BLM Web site: https:// www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/info/ newsroom.2.html at least 15 days prior to the meeting dates. ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft EIS may be submitted by any of the following methods: • Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Stephanie Howard, Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078. • E-mail: UT_Vernal_Comments@blm.gov. • Fax: (435) 781–4410. Please reference the Gasco EIS when submitting your comments. Comments and information submitted on the Draft EIS for the Gasco project, including names, e-mail addresses, and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the Vernal Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Howard, Project Manager, BLM Vernal Field Office 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078; or by phone at (435) 781–4400. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS is available on the following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/ vernal/planning.html. In response to a proposal submitted by Gasco Energy, Inc., (Gasco), the BLM published in the February 10, 2006, Federal Register a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS. The Gasco EIS Project Area encompasses approximately 206,826 acres located about 20 miles south of Roosevelt, Utah. The Draft EIS analyzes a proposal by Gasco to develop Federal natural gas resources on their leases. Gasco’s proposal includes drilling a total of up to 1,491 new wells and constructing associated ancillary transportation, transmission, and water disposal facilities within the project area. Of the 206,826 acres within the project area, about 86 percent is Federal lands administered by the BLM; 12 percent is owned by the State of Utah and administered by the Utah State School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration; and 2 percent is privately owned. The proposed life of the project is 45 years, with most DATES: E:\FR\FM\01OCN1.SGM 01OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 190 (Friday, October 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60804-60805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24609]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Nimbus Hatchery Fish Passage Project, Lower American River, 
California

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) and notice of public 
meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of 
Reclamation, the lead Federal agency, and the California Department of 
Fish and Game (CDFG), acting as the lead State agency, have made 
available for public review and comment a Draft EIS/EIR for the Nimbus 
Hatchery Fish Passage Project (Project). The purpose of the Project is 
to create and maintain a reliable system for collecting adult fish at 
the Nimbus Fish Hatchery (Hatchery). Reclamation maintains the Hatchery 
to meet mitigation obligations for spawning areas blocked by 
construction of Nimbus Dam. CDFG operates the Hatchery under a contract 
with Reclamation and is responsible for the management of the fishery 
resources within the adjacent lower American River. The Hatchery was 
constructed in 1955 under the American River Basin Development Act 
(October 14, 1949, 63 Stat. 852) along with Nimbus and Folsom Dams. The 
Draft EIS/EIR describes and presents the environmental effects of three 
action alternatives and the No-Action Alternative. Written comments 
will be accepted from agencies, organizations and individuals on the 
Draft EIS/EIR.

DATES: Submit written comments on the Draft EIS/EIR by November 30, 
2010.
    Public meetings will be held to receive comments on the Draft EIS/
EIR and provide further clarification regarding the Project on 
Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the Draft EIS/EIR to Mr. David 
Robinson, Central California Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 7794 
Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630-1799; or e-mail at 
IBRFOODHatchPass@usbr.gov.
    Public meetings will be held at the California State University 
Sacramento Aquatic Center, 1901 Hazel Avenue, Gold River, CA 95670.
    Copies of the Draft EIS/EIR may be requested from Ms. Janet 
Sierzputowski at 916-978-5112, TTY 916-978-5608, or e-mail at 
jsierzputowski@usbr.gov. The Draft EIS/EIR is also accessible from the 
following Web sites: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=5216 or https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/hatchery/.
    See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for locations where 
copies of the Draft EIS/EIR are available for public review.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Robinson at the CCAO general 
telephone number 916-988-1707, TTY 916-989-7285, or e-mail at 
IBR2FOODHatchPass@usbr.gov.

[[Page 60805]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS/EIR documents the direct, 
indirect and cumulative effects to the physical, biological, and 
socioeconomic environment that may result from construction of the 
Project.
    The purpose of the Project is to create and maintain a reliable 
system for collecting adult fish to assist Reclamation in meeting 
mitigation obligations for spawning areas blocked by the construction 
of Nimbus Dam. Other objectives are to (1) minimize annual operations 
and maintenance costs, (2) eliminate the need to reduce river flows for 
weir superstructure repairs, maintenance, and annual installation, 
which in turn increases operational flexibility, and (3) improve public 
and worker safety.
    The Draft EIS/EIR evaluates three action alternatives and the No-
Action alternative. Alternative 1 consists of the construction of a new 
fish passageway from the Hatchery to an area near the south end of the 
Nimbus Dam stilling basin, removal of the existing fish diversion weir, 
and potential modification of fishing regulations. The removal of the 
existing weir would allow the fish to access the stilling basin area. 
Because of the potential for fishing to significantly impact fishery 
resources, two regulatory options, Alternatives 1A and 1C, are being 
considered. CDFG is evaluating potential changes in fishing regulations 
to help protect spawning salmon and steelhead and to maintain fish 
passage to the hatchery. Reclamation is evaluating potential changes in 
public access to the stilling basin that best meet project purposes.
    Alternative 2 involves replacing the existing fish diversion weir 
with a new weir immediately upstream of its current location. The 
existing permanent and seasonal fishing closures would remain in 
effect, unchanged. However, a new weir would be much more effective in 
preventing fish from entering the river and stilling basin upstream 
from the Hatchery.
    The No-Action Alternative would be the continuation of the existing 
regulatory conditions. The existing weir would not be replaced. The 
existing permanent and seasonal fishing closures would remain in 
effect, unchanged.
    Copies of the Draft EIS/EIR are available for public review at the 
following locations:
     Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, Regional 
Library, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825.
     Central California Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 
7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630.
     Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River, CA 
95670.

Special Assistance for Public Meetings

    If special assistance is required to participate in the public 
meetings, please contact Ms. Janet Sierzputowski at 916-978-5112, TTY 
916-978-5608, or e-mail jsierzputowski@usbr.gov. Please notify Ms. 
Sierzputowski as far in advance as possible to enable Reclamation to 
secure the needed services. If a request cannot be honored, the 
requestor will be notified.

Public Disclosure

    Before including your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, 
or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should 
be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Dated: March 11, 2010.
Pablo R. Arroyave,
Deputy Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on September 27, 2010.

[FR Doc. 2010-24609 Filed 9-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P
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