federal_register: 98-26880
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| 98-26880 | Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact for the Reconstruction of Wall Lake Reservoir | Notice | On September 29, 1998 Michael C. Weland, Executive Director of the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission signed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) that documents the decision to fund stabilization of Wall Lake Reservoir, located in the headwaters of the Provo River on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Wall Lake will be stabilized near the natural lake level with a low or no hazard dam structure. The Mitigation Commission prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine impacts of stabilizing Wall Lake at various elevations. The Forest Service is joint-lead agency on the project. Wall Lake was dammed in the early 1900's for water storage. Through legislation (the Central Utah Project Completion Act) and several environmental impact statements, the determination was made to stabilize Wall Lake and other high elevation lakes as mitigation for constructing Jordanelle Reservoir, a Central Utah Project feature. When Jordanelle Reservoir was built, Wall Lake and other upper elevation reservoirs were no longer needed for water storage. Stabilization funding comes from Title III, Section 308 of CUPCA. An initial decision was made in 1995 to stabilize Wall Lake at a moderate elevation. This decision was recently revisited in light of concerns over the Forest Service's lack of resources to own and operate a moderate elevation dam and the cost of a moderate elevation dam compared to the fish and wildlife benefits achieved. The Mitigation Commission's Draft and Final EA evaluated the alternatives of: constructing a moderate elevation dam, as prescribed by the 1995 decision; stabilizing Wall Lake at natural lake level; reconstructing Wall Lake as a reservoir to store water for winter instream flow maintenance; and, breaching the dam and stabilizing it below natural lake level. The public was consulted in late spring of 1996 and issues were raised regarding aquatic productivity, construction costs, aesthetics and water supply and the effect of road building and roadless area integrity. After considering public comments on the Draft EA and analyses of environmental effects, the natural lake level stabilization alternative was selected and the Commission issued its own FONSI, in accordance with its NEPA Rule (43 CFR Part 10010.20). Funding reconstruction of Wall Lake Reservoir at a natural level meets the Commission's planning objectives to incorporate public opinion, use an ecosystem approach, utilize the best science available and do so in the least environmentally damaging manner. Alternative 2, which this decision implements, provides benefits to fish that are different, yet comparable to the other alternatives. It enhances the recreation experience at Wall Lake and maintains the area's potential for wilderness designation. It also costs the least of the alternatives. Under Alternative 2, flow regime will be a natural hydrologic flow with a non-fluctuating lake level. Heavy equipment will be transported by driving over the exiting walk-in route to Wall Lake, which will subsequently be restored. No roads will be constructed. The original 0.8 mile wagon route, wetlands and stream banks will be rehabilitated. Approximately 0.2 acres of disturbed vegetation and soils associated with existing campsites will be rehabilitated and 20 campsites relocated to areas naturally more resistant to human use, which will provide for future environmentally sensitive recreation use. About 1 mile of social, spur and main trails will be relocated, rehabilitated and/or reconstructed for future environmentally sensitive recreation use. No instream flows will be provided. The Forest Service will be the managing entity of the dam. A Finding of No Significant Impact is made for this action because it does not significantly affect public health or safety; it has no adverse effects on unique geographic characteristics or ecologically significant or critical areas; does not have highly controversial or potentially significant environmental effects or risks; does not establish a precedent for future actions and does not have an adverse effect on species listed or proposed to be listed as Threatened or endangered, or on their habitats. | 1998-10-07 | 1998 | 10 | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1998/10/07/98-26880/notice-of-finding-of-no-significant-impact-for-the-reconstruction-of-wall-lake-reservoir | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1998-10-07/pdf/98-26880.pdf | Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission | 518 | On September 29, 1998 Michael C. Weland, Executive Director of the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission signed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) that documents the decision to fund stabilization of Wall Lake Reservoir,... |