Notice of Availability of the Records of Decision for the Provo River Delta Restoration Project, 38730-38731 [2015-16600]

Download as PDF 38730 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 129 / Tuesday, July 7, 2015 / Notices at which listing is no longer appropriate under the criteria set out in section 4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Species History The Austin blind salamander was federally listed as endangered throughout its range on September 9, 2013 (78 FR 51277), and detailed background information on the taxonomy, habitat, range, threats, and life history attributes of the Austin blind salamander can be found in the final rule. It has a recovery priority number of 2C, which is based on a high degree of threat, high potential for recovery, taxonomic classification as a species, and potential for conflict over resources (primarily water quality and quantity) and economic development. When we developed the Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan, the Austin blind salamander was a candidate for Federal listing as endangered or threatened (67 FR 40657). We included information on the Austin blind salamander to facilitate adding this species to the Recovery Plan if it ultimately became listed. The existing recovery plan for the Barton Springs salamander presents a recovery strategy, objective and measurable recovery criteria, and site-specific management actions to monitor and reduce or remove threats to the Barton Springs salamander. The Barton Springs and Austin blind salamanders occur in the same ecosystem, have similar ecology and life history needs, and face similar threats. The Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan was developed to address the Barton Springs ecosystem as a whole, as well as both salamander species, which are vulnerable to threats to this ecosystem. Therefore, the recovery strategy for the Barton Springs salamander is also applicable to and appropriate for the Austin blind salamander. For these reasons, we are proposing an efficient approach to recovery planning for the Austin blind salamander by supplementing the Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan with an addendum to include the Austin blind salamander. Request for Public Comments Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. We are, therefore, providing the public the opportunity to comment on the draft addendum. Because the Barton Springs Salamander VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:31 Jul 06, 2015 Jkt 235001 Recovery Plan has already been through peer and public review and because this plan is a valid recovery plan, we seek public comments on only the draft addendum. We will summarize and respond to the issues raised by the public and post our responses on our Web site. Substantive comments may or may not result in changes to the draft addendum; comments regarding recovery plan implementation will be forwarded as appropriate to Federal or other entities so that they can be taken into account during the course of implementing recovery actions. We invite written comments on the draft addendum. In particular, we are interested in additional information regarding the appropriateness of the draft recovery criteria and recovery actions for the Austin blind salamander as well as the costs associated with implementing the recommended recovery actions. Before we approve a final addendum, we will consider all comments we receive by the date specified in DATES. Methods of submitting comments are in the ADDRESSES section. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email 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. Comments and materials we receive will be available on our Web site https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ AustinTexas/, by appointment, for public inspection during normal business hours at our office (see ADDRESSES). References Cited A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon request from the Austin Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section). Authority We developed this recovery plan addendum under the authority of section 4(f) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this notice under section 4(f) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: June 18, 2015. Joy E. Nicholopoulos, Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2015–16595 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION [RC0ZCUPCA0, 155R0680R1, RR.17549897.2015101.02] Notice of Availability of the Records of Decision for the Provo River Delta Restoration Project Office of the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Interior; Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of the Interior and the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission have prepared separate Records of Decision (RODs) that disclose their selection of Alternative B for implementing the restoration of the Provo River Delta as described in the Provo River Delta Restoration Project (PRDRP) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Both agencies have also selected to implement Option 2 for the improvement of the existing Provo River Channel. The size of Alternative B may be increased by acquiring additional land described under Alternative A. However, such additional land acquisition will only be accomplished if the additional land can be acquired on a willing-seller basis. Therefore, a potentially enlarged Alternative B (the Preferred Alternative) and Option 2 are adopted as the Selected Action. The implementation of Alternative B as potentially modified and Option 2 will significantly aid in meeting recovery actions within the approved June Sucker Recovery Plan of 1999. DATES: The Department of the Interior and the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission signed separate RODs on May 26, 2015 and subsequently made them available to the public. ADDRESSES: Send written correspondence or requests for copies to Mr. W. Russ Findlay, Department of the Interior, Central Utah Project Completion Act Office, 302 East 1860 South, Provo, Utah 846060–7317; or Mr. Richard Mingo, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 230 South 500 East Suite SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\07JYN1.SGM 07JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 129 / Tuesday, July 7, 2015 / Notices 230, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102; or by email to wfindlay@usbr.gov or rmingo@ usbr.gov. The RODs are accessible at the following Web sites: www.cupcao.gov, www.provoriverdelta.us, www.mitigationcommission.gov. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for locations where copies of the RODs are available for public review. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. W. Russ Findlay, 801–379–1084, wfindlay@usbr.gov; or Mr. Richard Mingo, 801–524–3146, rmingo@ usbr.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES The Department of the Interior’s Record of Decision for the Diamond Fork System Final Supplement to the Diamond Fork Power System Final Environmental Impact Statement, signed September 29, 1999, commits the Department of the Interior, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District to ‘‘. . . participate in the development of a Recovery Implementation Program for June sucker.’’ Moreover, ‘‘. . . [a]ny future development of the Bonneville Unit of CUP [Central Utah Project] will be contingent on the RIP [June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program (JSRIP)] making ‘sufficient progress’ towards recovery of June sucker.’’ The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission signed its own Record of Decision for the Diamond Fork System Project on November 19, 1999. The JSRIP was established in 2002, and the Joint Lead Agencies are participants. The goals of the JSRIP are twofold, to recover June sucker so that it no longer requires protection under the Endangered Species Act and allow continued operation of existing water facilities and future development of water resources for human uses within the Utah Lake Basin in Utah. The June sucker exists naturally only in Utah Lake and spawns primarily in the lower Provo River, a Utah Lake tributary. Monitoring indicates young June sucker hatching in the lower Provo River do not survive to the adult stage due to habitat inadequacies in the lower Provo River and its interface with Utah Lake related to flow, food supply, and shelter. A compounding factor is likely predation by nonnative fishes. Dredging and channelization for flood control has eliminated the shallow, warm, complex wetland habitat at the mouth of the Provo River where it enters Utah Lake. 20:31 Jul 06, 2015 Jkt 235001 The PRDRP will restore the lower Provo River to a more natural deltaic ecosystem. The delta and associated habitat will provide needed habitat for the recovery of the endangered June sucker. These improvements will be accomplished through the implementation of Alternative B and Option 2 as analyzed in the PRDRP FEIS plus the option to increase the size of Alternative B by acquiring additional land described under Alternative A only if the additional land can be acquired on a willing-seller basis. Purpose and Need for Action Background VerDate Sep<11>2014 The Federal Action The PRDRP has been identified as an essential action needed to recover the endangered June sucker. It will restore functional habitat conditions in the lower Provo River and its interface with Utah Lake that are needed for spawning, hatching, larval transport, survival, rearing and recruitment of young June sucker into the population on a selfsustaining basis. The purposes of the PRDRP are to: • Implement the specific criteria of the June Sucker Recovery Plan to restore a naturally functioning Provo River delta ecosystem essential for recruitment of June sucker; • provide recreational improvements and opportunities associated with the PRDRP; and • adopt flow regime targets for the lower Provo River and provide delivery of supplemental water to the lower Provo River, including additional conserved water. Alternative B—Provo River Delta Restoration Alternative B was developed with substantial involvement from study area landowners and other stakeholders. It is the selected alternative for restoring the Provo River Delta. It will reduce the amount of private land required for the PRDRP and preserve the highest-value agricultural land, while still improving June sucker spawning and rearing habitat. The acquisition boundary for this alternative encompasses 310.3 acres. As previously described in this NOA, lands in addition to the minimum required under Alternative B could be acquired on a willing-seller basis, either in conjunction with Alternative B or at a later time. Implementing Alternative B as described in the Final EIS would result in splitting of three or more contiguous land ownerships/ agricultural operations. It is possible that landowners may request as condition of sale of their property the acquisition of some or all of the PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 38731 remaining properties outside the delineated Alternative B boundary. Other landowners may also have interest in selling their land to the government for the project. Only if these agreements can be achieved on a willing-seller basis would they be consummated. Such lands could be acquired to enhance the habitat values for June sucker, to preserve habitat values for other wildlife or wetlands, or to provide additional related recreational opportunities. Option 2—Provo River Existing Channel Improvement Option 2 will be implemented along with Alternative B above. Option 2 will maintain the existing channel at a relatively constant elevation by constructing a small dam at the downstream mouth of the channel near Utah Lake State Park. An aeration system will be installed and operated as necessary to improve water quality. A minimum flow of 10 cubic feet per second will be provided to the existing Provo River channel which will be retained and managed for recreational and aesthetic purposes. A Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the PRDRP was published in the Federal Register on February 28, 2014 (79 FR 11511). A Notice of Availability of the PRDRP FEIS was published in the Federal Register on April 8, 2015 (80 FR 18940). Copies of the RODs are available for public review at: • Department of the Interior, Central Utah Project Completion Act Office, 302 East 1860 South, Provo, Utah 84606– 7317 • Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 230 South 500 East Suite 230, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 Dated: June 8, 2015. Reed R. Murray, Program Director, Central Utah Project Completion Act Office, Department of the Interior. Dated: June 8, 2015. Mark Holden, Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission. [FR Doc. 2015–16600 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4332–90–P E:\FR\FM\07JYN1.SGM 07JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38730-38731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16600]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

[RC0ZCUPCA0, 155R0680R1, RR.17549897.2015101.02]


Notice of Availability of the Records of Decision for the Provo 
River Delta Restoration Project

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, 
Interior; Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior and the Utah Reclamation 
Mitigation and Conservation Commission have prepared separate Records 
of Decision (RODs) that disclose their selection of Alternative B for 
implementing the restoration of the Provo River Delta as described in 
the Provo River Delta Restoration Project (PRDRP) Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS). Both agencies have also selected to implement 
Option 2 for the improvement of the existing Provo River Channel. The 
size of Alternative B may be increased by acquiring additional land 
described under Alternative A. However, such additional land 
acquisition will only be accomplished if the additional land can be 
acquired on a willing-seller basis. Therefore, a potentially enlarged 
Alternative B (the Preferred Alternative) and Option 2 are adopted as 
the Selected Action. The implementation of Alternative B as potentially 
modified and Option 2 will significantly aid in meeting recovery 
actions within the approved June Sucker Recovery Plan of 1999.

DATES: The Department of the Interior and the Utah Reclamation 
Mitigation and Conservation Commission signed separate RODs on May 26, 
2015 and subsequently made them available to the public.

ADDRESSES: Send written correspondence or requests for copies to Mr. W. 
Russ Findlay, Department of the Interior, Central Utah Project 
Completion Act Office, 302 East 1860 South, Provo, Utah 846060-7317; or 
Mr. Richard Mingo, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission, 230 South 500 East Suite

[[Page 38731]]

230, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102; or by email to wfindlay@usbr.gov or 
rmingo@usbr.gov. The RODs are accessible at the following Web sites: 
www.cupcao.gov, www.provoriverdelta.us, www.mitigationcommission.gov. 
See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for locations where copies of 
the RODs are available for public review.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. W. Russ Findlay, 801-379-1084, 
wfindlay@usbr.gov; or Mr. Richard Mingo, 801-524-3146, rmingo@usbr.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Department of the Interior's Record of Decision for the Diamond 
Fork System Final Supplement to the Diamond Fork Power System Final 
Environmental Impact Statement, signed September 29, 1999, commits the 
Department of the Interior, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and 
Conservation Commission, and the Central Utah Water Conservancy 
District to ``. . . participate in the development of a Recovery 
Implementation Program for June sucker.'' Moreover, ``. . . [a]ny 
future development of the Bonneville Unit of CUP [Central Utah Project] 
will be contingent on the RIP [June Sucker Recovery Implementation 
Program (JSRIP)] making `sufficient progress' towards recovery of June 
sucker.'' The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission 
signed its own Record of Decision for the Diamond Fork System Project 
on November 19, 1999. The JSRIP was established in 2002, and the Joint 
Lead Agencies are participants. The goals of the JSRIP are twofold, to 
recover June sucker so that it no longer requires protection under the 
Endangered Species Act and allow continued operation of existing water 
facilities and future development of water resources for human uses 
within the Utah Lake Basin in Utah.
    The June sucker exists naturally only in Utah Lake and spawns 
primarily in the lower Provo River, a Utah Lake tributary. Monitoring 
indicates young June sucker hatching in the lower Provo River do not 
survive to the adult stage due to habitat inadequacies in the lower 
Provo River and its interface with Utah Lake related to flow, food 
supply, and shelter. A compounding factor is likely predation by 
nonnative fishes. Dredging and channelization for flood control has 
eliminated the shallow, warm, complex wetland habitat at the mouth of 
the Provo River where it enters Utah Lake.

The Federal Action

    The PRDRP will restore the lower Provo River to a more natural 
deltaic ecosystem. The delta and associated habitat will provide needed 
habitat for the recovery of the endangered June sucker. These 
improvements will be accomplished through the implementation of 
Alternative B and Option 2 as analyzed in the PRDRP FEIS plus the 
option to increase the size of Alternative B by acquiring additional 
land described under Alternative A only if the additional land can be 
acquired on a willing-seller basis.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The PRDRP has been identified as an essential action needed to 
recover the endangered June sucker. It will restore functional habitat 
conditions in the lower Provo River and its interface with Utah Lake 
that are needed for spawning, hatching, larval transport, survival, 
rearing and recruitment of young June sucker into the population on a 
self-sustaining basis.
    The purposes of the PRDRP are to:
     Implement the specific criteria of the June Sucker 
Recovery Plan to restore a naturally functioning Provo River delta 
ecosystem essential for recruitment of June sucker;
     provide recreational improvements and opportunities 
associated with the PRDRP; and
     adopt flow regime targets for the lower Provo River and 
provide delivery of supplemental water to the lower Provo River, 
including additional conserved water.

Alternative B--Provo River Delta Restoration

    Alternative B was developed with substantial involvement from study 
area landowners and other stakeholders. It is the selected alternative 
for restoring the Provo River Delta. It will reduce the amount of 
private land required for the PRDRP and preserve the highest-value 
agricultural land, while still improving June sucker spawning and 
rearing habitat. The acquisition boundary for this alternative 
encompasses 310.3 acres. As previously described in this NOA, lands in 
addition to the minimum required under Alternative B could be acquired 
on a willing-seller basis, either in conjunction with Alternative B or 
at a later time. Implementing Alternative B as described in the Final 
EIS would result in splitting of three or more contiguous land 
ownerships/agricultural operations. It is possible that landowners may 
request as condition of sale of their property the acquisition of some 
or all of the remaining properties outside the delineated Alternative B 
boundary. Other landowners may also have interest in selling their land 
to the government for the project. Only if these agreements can be 
achieved on a willing-seller basis would they be consummated. Such 
lands could be acquired to enhance the habitat values for June sucker, 
to preserve habitat values for other wildlife or wetlands, or to 
provide additional related recreational opportunities.

Option 2--Provo River Existing Channel Improvement

    Option 2 will be implemented along with Alternative B above. Option 
2 will maintain the existing channel at a relatively constant elevation 
by constructing a small dam at the downstream mouth of the channel near 
Utah Lake State Park. An aeration system will be installed and operated 
as necessary to improve water quality. A minimum flow of 10 cubic feet 
per second will be provided to the existing Provo River channel which 
will be retained and managed for recreational and aesthetic purposes.
    A Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the PRDRP was published in the Federal Register on 
February 28, 2014 (79 FR 11511). A Notice of Availability of the PRDRP 
FEIS was published in the Federal Register on April 8, 2015 (80 FR 
18940).
    Copies of the RODs are available for public review at:
     Department of the Interior, Central Utah Project 
Completion Act Office, 302 East 1860 South, Provo, Utah 84606-7317
     Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 
230 South 500 East Suite 230, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102

    Dated: June 8, 2015.
Reed R. Murray,
Program Director, Central Utah Project Completion Act Office, 
Department of the Interior.
    Dated: June 8, 2015.
Mark Holden,
Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
Commission.
[FR Doc. 2015-16600 Filed 7-6-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4332-90-P

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