[env-trinity] Fwd: NOP for Master TRRP EA/EIR available

[Brandt Gutermuth]

Sorry for any cross postings-
Brandt

Interested Trinity River Enthusiasts -

The Notice of Preparation (NOP) for an EA/EIR to cover "Completion of Phase 1 Channel Rehabilitation Projects with Planned Phase 2 Channel Rehabilitation and Sediment Management Projects" was recently released by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, our CEQA lead for the environmental document.  Completion of Phase 1 is the construction of the "Remaining 8 Group of Sites" that we have been planning over the last year.  

The NOP and additional project information are available at http://www.trrp.net/implementation/remaining8.htm.   The TRRP will hold a public scoping meeting for the project on April 16, 2008 at the Douglas City Fire Hall.  The Draft Master EA/EIR should be available in fall 2008 and the Remaining 8 construction started in 2009.

If you have questions concerning the project, please give me a call.  

Best Regards-
Brandt




Below is a the official public announcement from the Trinity Journal:  

Notice of Preparation of a 
Master Environmental Assessment/ Environmental Impact Report
April 16 Scoping Meeting for
the Remaining 8 Group of Sites


Under guidance of the Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP); the Bureau of Reclamation, the Federal lead agency, and the North Coast Region Water Quality Control Board, (Regional Water Board), State lead agency, announce the availability of a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for a Draft Master Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the “Completion of Phase 1 Channel Rehabilitation Projects with Planned Phase 2 Channel Rehabilitation and Sediment Management Projects.”  The Master EA/EIR will be site specific for completion of Phase 1 Projects (the Remaining 8 Group of Sites) and programmatic for Phase 2 and Sediment Management Projects (which will cover future channel rehabilitation projects and will address fine and coarse sediment management needs between Lewiston and the N. Fork Trinity River).  The Master EA/EIR will be a joint document prepared to meet California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act requirements. 

The Master EA/EIR will be site specific for the Remaining 8 Group of sites which is located between the Old Lewiston Bridge and BLM Douglas City campground.  Within the Remaining 8 Group, fisheries habitat quality and complexity will be enhanced via construction of slow water refuge habitats, placement of structures (e.g., large woody debris), and introduction of gravel into the river’s floodplain.  Construction of these sites, planned for 2009, will complete Phase 1 of the TRRP as described in the December 19, 2000, Record of Decision for the Trinity River Mainstem Fishery Restoration Environmental Impact Statement.  Integration of the Remaining 8 Group with completed habitat work from other channel rehabilitation sites, increased Trinity River flows, and enhanced river processes, will work to maintain long-term fisheries habitat downstream of Lewiston Dam.  

A public scoping period will be held March 28 to May 12, 2008, to solicit comments to assist the lead agencies in identifying the range of actions, alternatives, mitigation measures, and significant effects to be analyzed in the Draft Master EA/EIR.  A public scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at the Douglas City Fire Hall in Douglas City, CA. Project information will be presented and comments on the scope of the Draft Master EA/EIR will be accepted.  Project information and a complete copy of the NOP is available at: http://www.trrp.net/implementation/remaining8.htm  

For further information or to receive a copy of the NOP, please contact Mr. Brandt Gutermuth, Bureau of Reclamation, at 623-1806. Comments may be sent to: Mr. Gutermuth, c/o Trinity River Restoration Program, P.O. Box 1300, Weaverville, CA  96093, or e-mail bgutermuth at mp.usbr.gov.  






____________________________
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)
___________________________