Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Long-Term Plan To Protect Adult Salmon in the Lower Klamath River, Humboldt County, California, 41061-41062 [2015-17208]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Notices Seeking Nominations for Membership We are seeking nominations for Council members in all categories. The terms of the majority of the 26 members will expire on July 9, 2015. All those interested in membership, including current members whose terms are expiring, must follow the same nomination process. Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate description of the nominee’s qualifications, including information that would enable the Department of the Interior to make an informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the Council, and to permit the Department to contact a potential member. Dated: June 19, 2015. Alma Ripps, Chief, Office of Policy. [FR Doc. 2015–17215 Filed 7–13–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–EE–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation [RR02312000, 15XR0680A3, RX.04167000.6000000,] Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Long-Term Plan To Protect Adult Salmon in the Lower Klamath River, Humboldt County, California Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent and scoping meetings. AGENCY: The Bureau of Reclamation will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the effects of the Long-Term Plan for the Protection of Adult Salmon in the lower Klamath River. The proposed action is to increase lower Klamath River flows to reduce the likelihood, and potentially reduce the severity, of any fish die-off in future years due to crowded holding conditions for pre-spawn adults, warm water temperatures, and presence of disease pathogens as the likely major factors contributing to the adult mortalities. The proposed increased flows would be provided primarily from releases of water stored in Trinity Reservoir on the main stem of the Trinity River, with the potential for some of the flows to be derived from the Klamath River above the confluence with the Trinity River depending on existing hydrologic and related environmental conditions. The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce the likelihood, and potentially reduce the asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:01 Jul 13, 2015 Jkt 235001 severity, of any Ich epizootic event that could lead to an associated fish die-off in future years. The need is based on the past extensive fish die-off in 2002. DATES: Submit written comments on the scope of the draft EIS by August 20, 2015. Four public scoping meetings will be held on the following dates and times: • Wednesday, August 5, 2015, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Arcata, CA. • Thursday, August 6, 2015, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Weaverville, CA. • Tuesday, August 11, 2015, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Klamath Falls, OR. • Wednesday, August 12, 2015, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Sacramento, CA. ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the scope of the draft EIS, or requests to be added to the EIS mailing list, to Mr. Paul Zedonis, Northern California Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 16349 Shasta Dam Boulevard, Shasta Lake, CA 96019; or by email to sha-slo-klamathLTP@usbr.gov. Environmental documents for the Long-Term Plan EIS will be available for review and download at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ ID=22021. The public scoping meetings will be held at the following locations: • Arcata—Red Roof Inn, 4975 Valley W Blvd., Arcata, CA 95521. • Weaverville—Trinity County Library, 351 Main Street, Weaverville, CA 96093. • Klamath Falls—Shilo Inn, 2500 Almond Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. • Sacramento—Cafeteria Conference Rooms 1001 & 1002, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Zedonis, Bureau of Reclamation, 530–275–1554; or by email at sha-sloklamath@usbr.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In August and September 2002, an estimated 170,000 fall-run Chinook salmon returned to the Klamath River, and a significant number of adult Chinook salmon (∼33,000) and other salmonids died prematurely in the lower Klamath River. This included an estimated 344 coho salmon listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Federal, tribal, and state biologists studying the die-off concluded that: (1) Pathogens Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) and Flavobacterium columnare (Columnaris) were the primary causes of death to fish; and (2) warm water temperatures, low water velocities and volumes, high fish density, and long fish residence times PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 41061 likely contributed to the disease outbreaks and subsequent mortalities. Flows in the lower Klamath averaged about 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) during September 2002. In 2003, 2004, 2012, and 2013 predictions of large runs of fall-run Chinook salmon to the Klamath River Basin and drier than normal hydrologic conditions prompted the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to arrange for late-summer flow augmentation to improve environmental conditions in the lower Klamath River to reduce the probability of a disease outbreak. The State Water Resources Board has advised Reclamation that, as the operator of Trinity Dam, Reclamation may bypass and/or release water for various purposes, including releases made to improve instream conditions for the benefit of aquatic resources, without State Board approval. In these years, 38 thousand acre-feet (TAF) of supplemental water was released from Trinity Reservoir in 2003, 36 TAF in 2004, 39 TAF in 2012, and 17.5 TAF in 2013. In 2013 a legal challenge occurred over implementing the flow augmentation action, which subsequently resulted in a delay. Also, accretions were greater than forecasted and ultimately lead to the smaller volume used in that year. General observations regarding the effectiveness of the sustained higher releases are that no significant disease or adult mortalities occurred suggesting flow augmentation was effective at meeting its intended purpose. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews (Environmental Assessments) were conducted in each of these years concluding in Findings of No Significant Impacts. The initial decision in 2014 was to not provide augmentation flows on a preventive basis due to the small run size and lack of any disease outbreak. However, during the first half of August, hydrologic conditions and observed fish health worsened. It was reported the adult return began much earlier than expected, and thousands of fish were stalled at the mouth of Blue Creek on the lower Klamath River mainstem. After consulting with fish agencies, Reclamation determined that an emergency release from Trinity Reservoir was necessary to avert a potentially significant fish loss. In response to a continued and unprecedented concern that a fish dieoff was imminent, Reclamation E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM 14JYN1 41062 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Notices extended the release of augmentation flows on an emergency basis for a longer duration (and higher magnitude) than in prior years based on the emergency criteria established for the releases. In 2014 the total volume released was 64 TAF. As in prior years of implementing flow augmentation, and despite the unprecedented high incidence of infection, no significant mortalities of fish occurred. In 2014 due to the rapid worsening of conditions in the lower Klamath River and the documented occurrence of disease, NEPA compliance was implemented through the ‘‘Emergency’’ provisions as identified by the Council of Environmental Quality. In response to the need to provide augmentation flows in several of the past years, and the indication that such flows will be needed in future years, Reclamation committed to developing a long-term plan to address this need along with the appropriate NEPA compliance. Reclamation has determined an EIS is the appropriate level of NEPA compliance for the LongTerm Plan, and will serve as the Lead Agency. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Additional Information The purpose of the scoping process is to solicit early input from the public regarding the development of reasonable alternatives and potential environmental impacts to be addressed in the EIS for the lower Klamath River Long-Term Plan. Written comments are requested to help identify alternatives and issues that should be analyzed in the EIS. Federal, State and local agencies, Tribes, and the general public are invited to participate in the environmental review process. Special Assistance for Public Scoping Meetings Requests for sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired and all other special assistance needs to participate in the meetings may be submitted by any of the following methods at least five working days before the meeting: • Email to: Mr. Paul Zedonis, sha-sloklamath-LTP@usbr.gov. • U.S. Mail to: Mr. Paul Zedonis, Northern California Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 16349 Shasta Dam Boulevard, Shasta Lake, CA 96019. • Telephone: Mr. Paul Zedonis, 530– 275–1554. Public Disclosure Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:01 Jul 13, 2015 Jkt 235001 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: June 12, 2015. Pablo R. Arroyave, Deputy Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region. [FR Doc. 2015–17208 Filed 7–13–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4332–90–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [USITC SE–15–021] Government in the Sunshine Act Meeting Notice; Change of Time to Government in the Sunshine Meeting United States International Trade Commission. DATE: July 16, 2015. ORIGINAL TIME: 2 p.m. NEW TIME: 3 p.m. PLACE: Room 101, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, Telephone: (202) 205–2000. STATUS: Open to the public. In accordance with 19 CFR 201.35(d)(2)(i), the Commission hereby gives notice that the Commission has determined to change the time of the meeting of July 16, 2015, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. In accordance with Commission policy, subject matter listed above, not disposed of at the scheduled meeting, may be carried over to the agenda of the following meeting. Earlier notification of this change was not possible. AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING: By order of the Commission. Issued: July 10, 2015. Lisa R. Barton, Secretary to the Commission. [FR Doc. 2015–17378 Filed 7–10–15; 4:30 pm] BILLING CODE 7020–02–P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration [Docket No. 09–62] Odette L. Campbell, M.D.; Decision and Order On October 26, 2010, an Agency Administrative Law Judge issued the attached Recommended Decision.1 1 All citations to the Recommended Decision are to the slip opinion as issued by the ALJ. PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Therein, the ALJ rejected, as unsupported by substantial evidence, the Government’s allegations that: (1) Respondent had unlawfully prescribed methadone to a patient for the purpose of treating the patient’s opioid addiction; (2) Respondent had issued a controlled substance prescription to an employee for the purpose of obtaining the controlled substance for her own use; and (3) Respondent could not account for 13 bottles or 390 dosage units of Suboxone. R.D., at 32–43. However, the ALJ also found that the Government had proved several allegations. These included that: (1) Respondent possessed controlled substances at an unregistered location when she moved her office without obtaining a modification of her registration; (2) Respondent occasionally allowed patients to return controlled substances to her if they did not like the medication or had an adverse reaction to it; and (3) Respondent failed to keep required records (including DEA Form-222s) for her receipts of Demerol, a schedule II controlled substance, as well as both inventories and dispensing logs for Ambien (zolpidem) and Provigil (modafinil), both being schedule IV controlled substances.2 Id. at 30–32; 44; 46–49. With respect to the latter finding, the ALJ noted that while recordkeeping violations alone can support an order of revocation, Respondent’s violations ‘‘occurred over a comparatively short period of time, with substantially fewer controlled substances [than in those cases where revocation was ordered], and with no evidence of actual diversion of any controlled substances.’’ Id. at 52. The ALJ thus concluded that while ‘‘Respondent’s errors and conduct clearly were neglectful and serious during the relevant time period,’’ he then reasoned that they were ‘‘likely due in part to ongoing issues including eviction from her registered office, employee problems, and an office breakin and theft’’ and that an order of revocation would be disproportionate to the misconduct which was proved. Id. 2 The ALJ also noted that ‘‘the evidence indicates that Respondent did not follow adequate security procedures’’ in that the controlled substance were not stored ‘‘in a securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet’’ and ‘‘Respondent did not maintain control over the key.’’ R.D. at 45. However, the ALJ declined to consider the evidence on the ground that the Government did not provide adequate notice in either the Show Cause Order or its Prehearing Statement, notwithstanding that Respondent did not object to the testimony. While the record arguably support a finding that the issue was litigated by consent, see CBS Wholesale Distributors, 74 FR 36746, 36750 (2009), the Government did not take exception to the ALJ’s ruling. I therefore do not consider the evidence. E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM 14JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41061-41062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17208]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

[RR02312000, 15XR0680A3, RX.04167000.6000000,]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Long-Term Plan To Protect Adult Salmon in the Lower 
Klamath River, Humboldt County, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent and scoping meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) to evaluate the effects of the Long-Term Plan for the 
Protection of Adult Salmon in the lower Klamath River. The proposed 
action is to increase lower Klamath River flows to reduce the 
likelihood, and potentially reduce the severity, of any fish die-off in 
future years due to crowded holding conditions for pre-spawn adults, 
warm water temperatures, and presence of disease pathogens as the 
likely major factors contributing to the adult mortalities. The 
proposed increased flows would be provided primarily from releases of 
water stored in Trinity Reservoir on the main stem of the Trinity 
River, with the potential for some of the flows to be derived from the 
Klamath River above the confluence with the Trinity River depending on 
existing hydrologic and related environmental conditions. The purpose 
of the proposed action is to reduce the likelihood, and potentially 
reduce the severity, of any Ich epizootic event that could lead to an 
associated fish die-off in future years. The need is based on the past 
extensive fish die-off in 2002.

DATES: Submit written comments on the scope of the draft EIS by August 
20, 2015. Four public scoping meetings will be held on the following 
dates and times:
     Wednesday, August 5, 2015, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Arcata, CA.
     Thursday, August 6, 2015, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Weaverville, CA.
     Tuesday, August 11, 2015, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Klamath Falls, 
OR.
     Wednesday, August 12, 2015, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Sacramento, 
CA.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the scope of the draft EIS, or 
requests to be added to the EIS mailing list, to Mr. Paul Zedonis, 
Northern California Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 16349 Shasta 
Dam Boulevard, Shasta Lake, CA 96019; or by email to sha-slo-klamath-LTP@usbr.gov. Environmental documents for the Long-Term Plan EIS will 
be available for review and download at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=22021.
    The public scoping meetings will be held at the following 
locations:
     Arcata--Red Roof Inn, 4975 Valley W Blvd., Arcata, CA 
95521.
     Weaverville--Trinity County Library, 351 Main Street, 
Weaverville, CA 96093.
     Klamath Falls--Shilo Inn, 2500 Almond Street, Klamath 
Falls, OR 97601.
     Sacramento--Cafeteria Conference Rooms 1001 & 1002, 2800 
Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Zedonis, Bureau of 
Reclamation, 530-275-1554; or by email at sha-slo-klamath@usbr.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In August and September 2002, an estimated 170,000 fall-run Chinook 
salmon returned to the Klamath River, and a significant number of adult 
Chinook salmon (~33,000) and other salmonids died prematurely in the 
lower Klamath River. This included an estimated 344 coho salmon listed 
as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Federal, tribal, and 
state biologists studying the die-off concluded that: (1) Pathogens 
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) and Flavobacterium columnare 
(Columnaris) were the primary causes of death to fish; and (2) warm 
water temperatures, low water velocities and volumes, high fish 
density, and long fish residence times likely contributed to the 
disease outbreaks and subsequent mortalities. Flows in the lower 
Klamath averaged about 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) during 
September 2002.
    In 2003, 2004, 2012, and 2013 predictions of large runs of fall-run 
Chinook salmon to the Klamath River Basin and drier than normal 
hydrologic conditions prompted the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) 
to arrange for late-summer flow augmentation to improve environmental 
conditions in the lower Klamath River to reduce the probability of a 
disease outbreak. The State Water Resources Board has advised 
Reclamation that, as the operator of Trinity Dam, Reclamation may 
bypass and/or release water for various purposes, including releases 
made to improve instream conditions for the benefit of aquatic 
resources, without State Board approval. In these years, 38 thousand 
acre-feet (TAF) of supplemental water was released from Trinity 
Reservoir in 2003, 36 TAF in 2004, 39 TAF in 2012, and 17.5 TAF in 
2013. In 2013 a legal challenge occurred over implementing the flow 
augmentation action, which subsequently resulted in a delay. Also, 
accretions were greater than forecasted and ultimately lead to the 
smaller volume used in that year. General observations regarding the 
effectiveness of the sustained higher releases are that no significant 
disease or adult mortalities occurred suggesting flow augmentation was 
effective at meeting its intended purpose. National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) reviews (Environmental Assessments) were conducted in 
each of these years concluding in Findings of No Significant Impacts.
    The initial decision in 2014 was to not provide augmentation flows 
on a preventive basis due to the small run size and lack of any disease 
outbreak. However, during the first half of August, hydrologic 
conditions and observed fish health worsened. It was reported the adult 
return began much earlier than expected, and thousands of fish were 
stalled at the mouth of Blue Creek on the lower Klamath River mainstem. 
After consulting with fish agencies, Reclamation determined that an 
emergency release from Trinity Reservoir was necessary to avert a 
potentially significant fish loss. In response to a continued and 
unprecedented concern that a fish die-off was imminent, Reclamation

[[Page 41062]]

extended the release of augmentation flows on an emergency basis for a 
longer duration (and higher magnitude) than in prior years based on the 
emergency criteria established for the releases. In 2014 the total 
volume released was 64 TAF. As in prior years of implementing flow 
augmentation, and despite the unprecedented high incidence of 
infection, no significant mortalities of fish occurred. In 2014 due to 
the rapid worsening of conditions in the lower Klamath River and the 
documented occurrence of disease, NEPA compliance was implemented 
through the ``Emergency'' provisions as identified by the Council of 
Environmental Quality.
    In response to the need to provide augmentation flows in several of 
the past years, and the indication that such flows will be needed in 
future years, Reclamation committed to developing a long-term plan to 
address this need along with the appropriate NEPA compliance. 
Reclamation has determined an EIS is the appropriate level of NEPA 
compliance for the Long-Term Plan, and will serve as the Lead Agency.

Additional Information

    The purpose of the scoping process is to solicit early input from 
the public regarding the development of reasonable alternatives and 
potential environmental impacts to be addressed in the EIS for the 
lower Klamath River Long-Term Plan. Written comments are requested to 
help identify alternatives and issues that should be analyzed in the 
EIS. Federal, State and local agencies, Tribes, and the general public 
are invited to participate in the environmental review process.

Special Assistance for Public Scoping Meetings

    Requests for sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired 
and all other special assistance needs to participate in the meetings 
may be submitted by any of the following methods at least five working 
days before the meeting:
     Email to: Mr. Paul Zedonis, sha-slo-klamath-LTP@usbr.gov.
     U.S. Mail to: Mr. Paul Zedonis, Northern California Area 
Office, Bureau of Reclamation, 16349 Shasta Dam Boulevard, Shasta Lake, 
CA 96019.
     Telephone: Mr. Paul Zedonis, 530-275-1554.

Public Disclosure

    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.

     Dated: June 12, 2015.
Pablo R. Arroyave,
Deputy Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-17208 Filed 7-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4332-90-P
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