[env-trinity] FW: Final Master EIR available

[Gutermuth, F. Brandt]

I was just informed that my emails to the list serve have not been coming through.   I apologize.  Please be aware that the Final Master EIR is available and that In-channel work is being done now at the Sawmill site.

If you have any questions - please reply to me at this email or call at 530.623.1806

Thanks -
Brandt

From: Gutermuth, F. Brandt
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 10:52 PM
To: Trinity List serve
Subject: Final Master EIR available


Dear Trinity River Enthusiasts -

The Final Master Environmental Impact Report for Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP) Channel Rehabilitation and Sediment Management is now available.  The final incorporates the Draft by reference so - you'll have to read the entire document - but it should be worth it!  I hope and believe that this California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document will facilitate getting TRRP work on the river in a more efficient fashion.

Thank you to all who helped put this document together and especially to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, our California Environmental Quality Act lead for the Master EIR.

Please check it out at: http://www.trrp.net/implementation/remainingP1.htm

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)


THE OFFICIAL COVER LETTER for the EIR follows:  ____________________________________________________________________


Subject:  Final Master Environmental Impact Report for Trinity River Restoration Program Channel Rehabilitation and Sediment Management at Remaining Phase 1 and Phase 2 sites



Dear Interested Parties:


Under guidance of the Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP), the Bureau of Reclamation has acted as the Project Proponent in preparation of a programmatic Master Environmental Impact Report (Master EIR) and site specific Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) to evaluate impacts of proposed TRRP activities for Channel Rehabilitation and Sediment Management at Remaining Phase 1 and Phase 2 sites.  The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast Region (Regional Water Board), is the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lead agency for preparation of these documents.  The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) component of the original joint CEQA/NEPA EA/Draft EIR for Remaining Phase 1 Rehabilitation Activities has been completed with the signing of a federal Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for these activities.  When the Final Master EIR is certified under CEQA by the Regional Water Board, it will serve similar functions under CEQA, as the Trinity River Mainstem Fishery Restoration Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) under NEPA.  The Final Master EIR will provide programmatic CEQA level review from which site-specific project reviews may tier from.  Both the FEIS, and now the Final Master EIR, are meant to support and facilitate implementation of the Secretary of Interior's December 2000 Record of Decision (ROD) for Trinity River Restoration.



The mechanical channel rehabilitation and sediment management activities evaluated by these environmental documents were originally identified in the ROD as necessary steps towards restoration of the Trinity River's anadromous fishery.  To this end, the TRRP's efforts are intended to increase habitat for all life stages of wild salmon and steelhead native to the Trinity River.  River restoration activities, as described in the Final Master EIR-Final EIR would create additional fish and wildlife habitat at a number of discrete locations; and over time, further increases in habitat are anticipated as riverine 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.  In addition to various construction activities, the Final Master EIR - Final EIR completes the analyses necessary to authorize ongoing restoration activities such as gravel addition during high spring flows and control of fine sediment. Construction activities, evaluated in the Final Master EIR - Final EIR, are scheduled to begin in late-summer 2009 at the Sawmill Restoration site, near Cemetery hole on the mainstem Trinity.




The attached Final Master EIR - Final EIR includes the Draft Master EIR - Draft EIR (incorporated by reference), a list of persons and agencies commenting on the Draft environmental documents, written comments, Lead Agency responses to comments, revised Draft Master EIR - Draft EIR text, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the proposed Project.  Prior to approving the Project, the Water Control Board will certify that the Final Master EIR- Final EIR is in compliance with CEQA.  The document will then be used to support necessary permit applications as well as to identify and adopt appropriate monitoring and mitigation plans.



Electronic copies of the fore-mentioned environmental documents, as well as the signed federal Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), are available on the TRRP's website at: http://www.trrp.net/implementation/remainingP1.htm , or on Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region website at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=3138.  Hard copies of the documents may also be reviewed at the TRRP Office at 1313 South Main Street (next to Tops grocery) or at the Trinity County library, 211 North Main Street; in Weaverville, California.


If you have any questions concerning this document or the Project, please contact Mr. Brandt Gutermuth, TRRP, at 530-623-1806 or bgutermuth at mp.usbr.gov<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\dljackson\Local%20Settings\Local%20Settings\DraftCnyn\bgutermuth@mp.usbr.gov>. or Mr. Dean Prat, of the Water Quality Control Board, at 707-576-2801 or dprat at waterboards.ca.gov<mailto:dprat at waterboards.ca.gov>.


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