PUBLIC NOTICE
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Downstream Fish Enhancement for Juvenile Salmonids at Fall Creek Dam
Lane County, Oregon
CENWP-PM-E-14-11
30 Day Notice Issue Date: October 6, 2014
Expiration Date: November 4, 2014
Interested parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (Corps) is seeking public comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment for Downstream Fish Enhancement for Juvenile Salmonids at Fall Creek Dam, Lane County, Oregon. The Corps proposes to enhance downstream passage through Fall Creek Dam and survival of juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead that are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Downstream passage would be enhanced by lowering the Fall Creek Reservoir below typical late fall/early winter elevations in order to aid fish in accessing regulating outlets and to lessen flow which is predicted, based on research results, to improve passage and survival. The drawdown would now be made a permanent action, to occur annually during a two week period, typically starting in late November or early December. Start date, depth of drawdown, and length of drawdown could vary from year to year depending on existing environmental conditions.
A previous Environmental Assessment (EA) was issued for public review on November 19, 2013 that included the action proposed here, albeit on an interim basis that incorporated research to establish effects of drawdown on fish survival. Similar actions were included for Hills Creek Dam and Cougar Dam but, because of various environmental concerns, passage improvements at those dams are not currently being considered. Responses to comments on the previous EA relevant to Fall Creek Dam are incorporated into the present EA.
Environmental Document: The draft EA for the proposed activity is available for public review and comment on the Corps’ Web site: http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Media/Announcements.aspx.
Additional Information and Comments: Questions or comments regarding the draft EA should be directed to Mr. Steve Helm, (503) 808-4778, Steve.R.Helm@usace.army.mil, or at the address below. Mailed comments must be postmarked by the above closing date and sent to:
District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineer District, Portland
Attn: CENWP-PM-E/Steve Helm
P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Oregon 97208-2946
In your response, please refer to the above public notice number (CENWP-PM-E-14-11), title, and date. A “no comment” response will be assumed if no response is received prior to or postmarked by the above expiration date.