PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is proposing to fund the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission to implement a Snake River Steelhead Kelt Reconditioning Program for the capture, reconditioning, and release of post-spawn Snake River steelhead. BPA is also proposing to fund construction of a reconditioning facility within the Nez Perce Tribal Fish Hatchery (NPTH) near Lewiston, Idaho.
Kelt reconditioning consists of the capture of post-spawned steelhead and the administration of disease-preventative medications and feed for the purpose of improving survival over what would be expected in the wild. Upon release, these fish are expected to return again to their spawning areas, successfully spawn, and thereby increase spawner returns and productivity. This program would expand an on-going, and successful, research program to production levels. It also includes the construction of a kelt reconditioning facility at NPTH.
BPA also proposes on-going funding to the Nez Perce Tribe for hatchery operations for the production of spring/summer and fall Chinook salmon at NPTH; and to change the release locations of some of the reared fall Chinook salmon smolts.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW To understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, BPA prepared an environmental assessment (EA) following the procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EA analyzes the kelt reconditioning program, construction of a kelt reconditioning facility, and funding of ongoing Chinook salmon production at NPTH. It also evaluates a no-action alternative in which BPA would provide no funding for these actions, and for the purpose of analysis presumes these actions would cease or not be initiated. The EA describes anticipated impacts to natural and human resources and identifies mitigation measures to help avoid or minimize impacts. During this process, BPA worked with landowners; tribes; Federal, state, and local agencies; and interest groups.
The draft EA was released for public review and comment in October 2018; one comment was received on the draft EA which was determined to be outside of the sope of the decision being made. The Final EA and FONSI were signed on January 16, 2019.
The schedule for the environmental review was as follows:
Scoping comment period
Draft EA comment period
Final EA
Finding of No Significant Impact (if warranted)
If decision to build, construction start |
December 29, 2017 - January 29, 2018
October 12, 2018 - November 12, 2018
January 16, 2019
January 16, 2019
Spring/Summer 2020 |
CURRENT STATUS
BPA has released its final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI includes a Mitigation Action Plan to help avoid or lessen potential impacts.
CONTACT For envrionmental information, contact:
Rob Shull
Environmental Protection Specialist
First TekDOS, LLC
Bonneville Power Administration - ECF-4
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208-3621 |
Toll Free: 800-622-4519
Direct Line: 503-230-3962
Email: rwshull@bpa.gov |
For project information, contact:
Tracy Hauser
Project Manager
Bonneville Power Administration- EWL-4
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208-3621 |
Toll Free: 800-622-4519
Direct Line: 503-230-4296
Email: tlhauser@bpa.gov |
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