Environmental statements; availability, etc.: Fish hatchery production plan,

[Federal Register: April 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 73)]

[Notices]

[Page 18975-18976]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr16ap98-131]

UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact for the Revised Fish Hatchery Production Plan

AGENCY: The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (Mitigation Commission).

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

SUMMARY: On April 2, 1998, Michael C. Weland, Executive Director of the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission signed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) which documents the decision to implement the Revised Fish Hatchery Production Plan (Plan). The Plan is programmatic in nature. It provides for the reconstruction of two cold-water hatcheries: Kamas and Whiterocks State Fish Hatcheries; the partial rehabilitation of one cold-water hatchery: Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery; the construction of two new cold-water hatcheries: Fountain Green State Fish Hatchery and Big Springs Tribal Hatchery; the construction of a new warm-water hatchery at either Gandy or Goshen Warm Springs; and an interim native species hatchery. It also includes wetland and/or wildlife habitat enhancement and conversion, improved public education opportunities, stream-side hatching units and new staff residences.

The Mitigation Commission documented the environmental effects of implementing the Revised Plan in an environmental assessment (EA). The Draft EA was developed with public input and the Final EA refined based upon public comment. The Draft and Final EA and Plan were distributed to 115 organizations or individuals. The Commission has found the EA adequate for its decision to fund the implementation of the Proposed Action and has issued its FONSI in accordance with the Commission's NEPA Rule (43 CFR 10010.20).

The Plan incorporates updated feasibility-level cost estimates and long-term fish-stocking needs. The original 1994 Plan was prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in accordance with and in fulfillment of the Central Utah Project Completion Act of 1992 (Titles II through VI of Pub. L. 102-575).

Implementing the Plan meets the objective of the Central Utah Project Completion Act (CUPCA, section 313(c), Fish Hatchery Production) to increase production of warm- and cold-water fishes for areas affected by the Colorado River Storage Project in Utah, by increasing hatchery production capacity. At the same time, the Plan meets the Commission's mandate to restore, maintain or enhance the biological productivity and diversity of natural ecosystems. This ecosystem restoration standard is met through the provision of the Plan that incorporates the Division's stocking policy, and requires a Tribal stocking policy to reduce the impacts of past practices; includes an education component to educate the public on the use of hatcheries as a tool to meet a management need, and on the importance of habitat to sustain both wild and stocked fish populations;

[[Page 18976]]

allocates almost half of the $22.8 million identified in CUPCA 313(c) to fund a new warm-water hatchery, and an interim facility, with the main objective of native fish and amphibian restoration and conservation.

Environmental impacts of this action are not considered significant or highly controversial. Some site-specific impacts may occur with the implementation of the Plan. The incorporation of enhancement measures to compensate for construction impacts will be included on a site- specific basis.

The Plan is related to potential future actions, specifically the improvement or construction of the State, Federal or Tribal fish hatcheries. These future construction projects will require separate NEPA compliance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Copies of the FONSI, of the Final EA, or additional information on matters related to this Federal Register notice can be obtained at the address and telephone number below:

Ms. Maureen Wilson, Project Coordinator, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500 South, Suite 315, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. Telephone: (801) 524-3146.

Dated: April 2, 1998. Michael C. Weland, Executive Director, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission.

[FR Doc. 98-9790Filed4-15-98; 8:45 am]

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