[env-trinity] Lewiston-Dark Gulch EA-FONSI/Final EIR available for review

[Brandt Gutermuth]

Hi All-

The final environmental review/disclosure document for the Lewiston-Dark Gulch Project (the EA-FONSI/Final EIR)  is now available for your review at:  http://www.trrp.net/implementation/DarkGulch.htm 

This project will be the next that the TRRP will put on the ground to enhance Trinity River form & function and to create juvenile fish rearing habitat.  The plan is to add coarse sediment (gravel) to the river during high spring 2008 fish flows (at the diversion pool and another downstream area (Sawmill site)) and to construct the larger project (in-river and on the floodplain) in summer/fall.  

Best Regards-
Brandt


____________________________
Brandt Gutermuth
Environmental Specialist
Trinity River Restoration Program
PO Box 1300 (mailing)
1313 S. Main Street (physical)
Weaverville, CA  96093
530.623.1806 (voice)
530.623.5944 (fax)
www.trrp.net (website)
_______________________


More details are included below and at the website.  


Trinity River Restoration Program and Trinity County Resource Conservation District Finalize the Lewiston-Dark Gulch 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 Lewiston-Dark Gulch Project Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Environmental Assessment (EA).  The Trinity County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD), in their role as the state lead agency, has prepared the Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR).  This joint environmental document for the proposed Lewiston-Dark Gulch Rehabilitation Project: Trinity River Mile 105.4-111.7 (FONSI-EA/Final EIR), meets California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and fulfills evaluation needs stipulated under Executive Orders 11988 (floodplain management), 11990 (protection of wetlands), 13112 (invasive species), 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 of the proposed Lewiston-Dark Gulch Rehabilitation Project (Project) is to provide increased juvenile salmonid rearing habitat on the mainstem Trinity River.  Construction will create additional fish and wildlife habitat that is expected to increase over time as river processes are restored.  Work to be performed includes re-contouring bank and floodplain features, as well as conducting in-river work such as gravel placement and grade control removal.  Gravel additions to the river are expected to start in May 2008 and to be performed annually thereafter.  Construction in-river and the adjacent floodplain would begin in summer 2008.  The TCRCD is working as a partner agency under a grant from the California Department of Fish and Game’s Klamath River Restoration Grant Program that provides financial support for Project implementation.  

The FONSI-EA/Final EIR includes the EA/Draft EIR (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, the TCRCD will certify that the Final EIR is in compliance with CEQA and Reclamation will sign the FONSI.  Then the document will be used to support necessary permit applications as well as to identify and adopt appropriate monitoring and mitigation plans. 

Electronic copies of the EA/Draft EIR, and the FONSI-EA/Final EIR are available on the TRRP’s website at: http://www.trrp.net/RestorationProgram/Lewiston-Dark Gulch.htm, on the TCRCD’s website at: www.tcrcd.net, or on Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region 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 Resource Conservation District, #1 Horseshoe Lane; or the Trinity County library, 211 North Main Street; all in Weaverville, California.  

If you have any questions concerning this document or the Project, please contact Mr. Alex Cousins of the TCRCD at 530-623-6004 or email acousins at tcrcd.net; or Mr. Brandt Gutermuth, TRRP, at 530-623-1806 or bgutermuth at mp.usbr.gov.