[env-trinity] Supplemental EA/EIR available for Indian Creek Project

[Brandt Gutermuth]

Dear Trinity River Enthusiasts - 

FYI - and for the New Year

A Supplemental EA/EIR  is Available for the Trinity River Restoration
Program's Indian Creek Rehabilitation Site Project 

Under guidance of the Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP) and in
response to public comment and technical review, the Bureau of
Reclamation (the Federal lead agency) and the Trinity County Planning
Department (the State lead agency) have developed a new alternative
(Alternative 3) for the Indian Creek Rehabilitation Site:  Trinity River
Mile 93.7 to 96.5 (Project).  

A Project description and impact analysis for the new alternative is
available for public review and comment, as part of a Supplemental
Environmental Assessment/ Recirculated Partial Draft Environmental
Impact Report (SEA/RPDEIR).  The joint supplemental document meets
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) requirements.

While the purpose and need of the Project remains unchanged - to
increase juvenile salmonid rearing habitat and reduce Trinity River flow
impacts to structural improvements - the new alternative provides
opportunities to:  (1) maximize side channel habitat and (2) minimize
impacts by decreasing in channel construction, reducing the overall
quantity and area of excavation, and reclaiming onsite materials for use
as spawning gravel at future project sites.  Although no in-channel
excavation is considered, this new alternative has similar flow
conveyance benefits as the previously described Proposed Action. 

The new alternative would utilize on-site processing of excavated
alluvial materials (e.g., sand, gravel, cobbles) and dredge tailings as
a source for spawning gravel enhancement efforts up-river.  Such re-use
of on-site materials would not only reduce potential environmental
impacts resulting from placement of excavated materials within the
Project boundary but would also restore additional floodplain areas by
removing dredge tailings.  Export of processed gravels from the Project
site would, however, require seasonal increases in truck traffic on
State and local haul routes.

Trinity County has received financial support for Project
implementation from the California Department of Fish and Game's
Fisheries Restoration Grant Program and from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) Targeted Watershed Grants Program.  Trinity
County is working as a partner agency under the EPA program with the
Yurok Tribe and the Trinity County Resource Conservation District.

The SEA/RPDEIR may be viewed at the TRRP Office, 1313 South Main
Street; at the Trinity County Library, 211 North Main Street; or at the
Trinity County Planning Department, 60 Glen Road, in Weaverville, CA. 
The SEA/RPDEIR may also be viewed at Reclamation's NEPA website at
http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=2094.  Or
on the TRRP website at
http://www.trrp.net/implementation/IndianCreek.htm.

Comments on the SEA/RPDEIR are due by Tuesday, February 13, 2007, to
Mr. Brandt Gutermuth, Trinity River Restoration Program, P.O. Box 1300,
Weaverville, CA 96093 or e-mail bgutermuth at mp.usbr.gov.  Comments will
be consolidated and responded to in an EA/Final EIR along with comments
received on the original EA/Draft EIR.  

The final document will be used by Federal and State agencies to
satisfy NEPA/CEQA requirements and provide the basis for the various
permits, authorizations, and approvals needed to implement the project. 
The preferred alternative is scheduled for implementation during summer
2007 when impacts to fish and wildlife from in-channel work may be
minimized.  

Please direct any questions on the Project to the Trinity County
Planner, Mr. Joshua Allen, at 530-623-1351, extension 3411, or e-mail
jallen at trinitycounty.org, or to Mr. Gutermuth at 530-623-1806 or
e-mail bgutermuth at mp.usbr.gov.
 




___________________________________
Brandt Gutermuth, Environmental Specialist
Trinity River Restoration Program
PO Box 1300 (mailing) 
1313 Main Street (physical address)
Weaverville, CA  96093
(530) 623-1806 voice; (530) 623-5944 fax
Bgutermuth at mp.usbr.gov 
___________________________________