[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2383-2384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-438]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Bonneville Power Administration


Finding of No Significant Impact for Burlington Bottoms Wildlife 
Mitigation Project

AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy 
(DOE).

ACTION: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces BPA's proposal to fund wildlife 
management and enhancement activities for the Burlington Bottoms 
wetlands mitigation site. Acquired by BPA in 1991, wildlife habitat at 
Burlington Bottoms would contribute toward the goal of mitigation for 
wildlife losses and inundation of wildlife habitat due to the 
construction of Federal dams in the lower Columbia and Willamette River 
Basins. BPA has prepared an environmental assessment (DOE/EA-0928) 
evaluating the potential environmental effects of the proposed project. 
Alternative 1 (Proposed Action) evaluated maintenance and enhancement 
of the property with limited public access; Alternative 2 evaluated 
maintenance and enhancement of the property with no public access; and 
Alternative 3 evaluated the No-Action Alternative. Maintenance and 
enhancement under Alternative 1 would not cause significant 
environmental impact because: (1) There would be no adverse impacts on 
soils, air quality, water quality, wildlife (including no effect on 
endangered species), vegetation, fish, and land use; and (2) there 
would be no effect on cultural resources. Based on the analysis in the 
environmental assessment (EA), BPA has determined that the proposed 
action is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the 
quality of the human environment, within the meaning of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. Therefore, the preparation of 
an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required and BPA is 
issuing this FONSI.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND COPIES OF THE EA, CONTACT: John Taves, 
Bonneville Power Administration--EC-5, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon 
97208-3621, phone number 503-230-4995, or Charles Craig, Bonneville 
Power Administration--EWP/State, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon 97208-
3621, phone number 503-231-6964; or the Public Involvement and 
Information office voice TTY 503-230-3478 in Portland, or toll free 1-
800-622-4519.
    Public Availability: This FONSI will be distributed to all persons 
and agencies known to be interested in or affected by the proposed 
action or alternatives.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under provisions of the Pacific Northwest 
Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980 (Northwest Power 
Act), BPA has the authority and obligation to fund wildlife mitigation 
activities approved by the Northwest Power Planning Council (Council) 
and included in the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program (Program). The 
initial phase of mitigation planning for wildlife habitat losses was 
submitted to the Council for amendment into the Program in 1989. The 
Program includes a process for review of habitat losses and design of 
mitigation plans for each Federal hydro project in the Willamette and 
Columbia River Basins (Section 1002). In 1989, the Council amended the 
Program to include wildlife habitat losses resulting from construction 
and operation of Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day, and McNary Dams. 
Consistent with section 1003(7) of the Program's Wildlife Mitigation 
Rule, BPA proposes to fund projects that are intended to help reach the 
Council's mitigation goals. BPA funding would provide management of 
habitat management, recreation, hydrology, cultural resources, and 
public access to the area.
    Under Alternative 1, the proposed action, control or eradication of 
non-native invasive plant species and re-establishment or enhancement 
of native plants would be beneficial to fish and wildlife and would not 
significantly impact other environmental resources.
    Control of non-native fish and wildlife populations through 
trapping and netting would be beneficial by reducing competition with 
native species for resources.
    Control of non-native invasive plant species at Burlington Bottoms 
may include the burning of vegetation (Reed canary grass) in certain 
areas (pasture [[Page 2384]] habitat) and at certain times of the year. 
This may cause, for the short term, an increase in carbon monoxide and 
smoke particulates. Burning would be coordinated with the Oregon 
Department of Environmental Quality to ensure that impacts to air 
quality would be minimal.
    To avoid adverse impacts to fish and wildlife habitat, management 
of public access will include the use of interpretive signs to educate 
visitors on the need to stay in designated areas, using vegetation as a 
natural barrier to prevent off-trail use, and/or having seasonal 
restrictions on visitor access.
    Timing and location of management activities (burning of Reed 
canary grass, mechanical removal of blackberries, and trapping of 
bullfrogs) would occur in such a manner as to minimize disturbance to 
native fish and wildlife, especially during such critical periods as 
the breeding season for waterfowl.
    A cultural resource survey was performed on the Burlington Bottoms 
site in September of 1994. No prehistoric materials were observed, 
possibly due to twentieth century fill material and dense vegetation 
which obscure the ground surface, hindering recognition of these 
resources. Any ground-disturbing activities (e.g., excavations or 
surface leveling) related to the construction of the trail and wildlife 
viewing areas and the placement of interpretive signs will be monitored 
by an archaeologist since it is possible that unrecorded prehistoric 
sites exist beneath the ground surface.
    Determination: Based on the information in the EA, summarized here, 
BPA determines that the proposed action is not a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the 
meaning of NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. Therefore, an EIS will not be 
prepared and BPA is issuing this FONSI.

    Issued in Portland, Oregon, on December 28, 1994.
Randall W. Hardy,
Administrator and Chief Executive Officer.
[FR Doc. 95-438 Filed 1-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P-M