[env-trinity] Indian Creek Final EA/EIR available on the web

[Brandt Gutermuth]

Hi Trinity River Supporters -

The final EA/EIR for the Indian Creek Rehabilitation Site:  Trinity
River Mile 93.7 to 96.5 is available on the web at
http://www.trrp.net/implementation/IndianCreek.htm 
Look to the bottom right "blue" block to find the final document.  

CEQA Certification of the EIR by Trinity County, and signing of the
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) by Reclamation, are expected to
take place in early May.  Construction is planned for this summer!

Best Regards -
Brandt




____________________________________________________________
More details follow:

Trinity River Restoration Program and Trinity County Finalize the
Indian Creek Rehabilitation Site Environmental Documents

Under guidance of the Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP), the
Bureau of Reclamation has acted as the federal lead agency in
preparation of the Indian Creek Project Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) and Environmental Assessment (EA).  The Trinity County Planning
Department (Trinity County), in their role as the state lead agency, has
prepared the Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR).  This joint
environmental document for the proposed Indian Creek Rehabilitation
Site: Trinity River Mile 93.7 to 96.5 (FONSI-EA/Final EIR), meets
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and fulfills evaluation needs stipulated
under Executive Orders 11988 (floodplain management), 11990 (protection
of wetlands), and 12898 (environmental justice).  

This mechanical channel rehabilitation project is one of those
originally identified in the Interior Secretary's December 19, 2000
Record of Decision (ROD) as a necessary step towards restoration of the
Trinity River's anadromous fishery.  The purpose and need of the
Project is to increase juvenile salmonid rearing habitat while reducing
Trinity River flow impacts to structural improvements located adjacent
to the river from implementation of Trinity River ROD flows.  This
Project is expected to not only increase fish habitat and to decrease
water surface elevations locally, but also to improve healthy river
functioning throughout the reach.  Alternative 3, from the Supplemental
EA/Recirculated Partial DEIR (SEA/RPDEIR), which minimizes in-channel
construction during creation of floodplain habitat and reclaims onsite
materials for use as spawning gravel at future project sites, has been
found to meet the Project purpose and need, while minimizing
environmental impacts.  Construction of the project is planned for
summer 2007.  

The FONSI-EA/Final EIR includes the EA/Draft EIR and SEA/RPDEIR
(incorporated by reference), a list of persons and agencies commenting
on the EA/Draft EIR, written comments, Lead Agency responses to
comments, revised Draft EIR text, and a Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program (MMRP) for the proposed Project.  Prior to approving
the Project, Trinity County will certify that the Final EIR is in
compliance with CEQA and Reclamation will sign the FONSI.  After
certification and signing of the FONSI in early May, the document will
be used to support necessary permit applications as well as to identify
and adopt appropriate monitoring and mitigation plans.  

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.

All Project documents may be viewed at the TRRP's website at:
http://www.trrp.net/implementation/IndianCreek.htm or on
Reclamation's website at:
http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=2094. 
The documents may also be reviewed at the TRRP Office at 1313 South Main
Street.(next to TOPS grocery); the Trinity County library, 211 North
Main Street; or the Trinity County Planning Department, 60 Glen Road,
all in Weaverville, California.  

For further information, please contact Trinity County Planner, Mr.
Joshua Allen at 530-623-1351 (x3411), or email
jallen at trinintyCounty.org; or Mr. Brandt Gutermuth, TRRP
Environmental Specialist, at 530-623-1806 or 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
___________________________________