Lower Duchesne River Wetlands Mitigation Project: Final Environmental impact Statement
Original PDF File |
17.6 MB | Download |
View directly in browser |
17.6 MB | View in browser |
Resource ID
8410
Resource Type
Document
UGS Program
Wetlands
Title
Lower Duchesne River Wetlands Mitigation Project: Final Environmental impact Statement
Date
April 2008
Country
USA
Keywords
Mitigation, Duchesne River, Impact Statement, EPA, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission, riparian, wetland, habitat, wildlife, section 404
Document Type
Report
Original Filename
WTLND0062
Geotechnical Database
Not Included
Abstract / Description
Abstract
This Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) covers the Lower Duchesne River Wetlands Mitigation Project
(LDWP). The LDWP responds to the need to mitigate for past impacts of the Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection
System (SACS) flow diversions on Tribal wetland and wildlife resources along the Duchesne River downstream of
Starvation Reservoir, as initially committed to by the 1965 Deferral Agreement. Three action alternatives were
considered to restore wetlands and riparian habitat and associated Tribal benefits along the Duchesne River. All three
alternatives are composed of a combination of fee lands to be acquired by the federal government and Tribal Trust
lands. Under the Proposed Action, acquired fee lands would be transferred to Tribal fee status with no net loss of fee
lands. Under the other alternatives, acquired fee lands would remain in federal ownership. All lands included within
the project would be managed by the Tribe in accordance with plans specified in the Project Operating Agreement
and Management Plans. All three alternatives would use a variety of restoration measures including rewatering
oxbows, connecting oxbows to form contiguous systems, enlarging oxbows, enhancing water quality in oxbows,
filling of one large drainage ditch to create a large marsh complex, replanting riparian areas with native woody trees
and shrubs, removing non-native invasive species and changing management of areas adjacent to wetlands to benefit
wildlife. The Proposed Action would comprise 4,807 acres. The Pahcease and Topanotes alternatives would comprise
6,765 and 6,648 acres, respectively. The No Action Alternative would not restore any wetland or wildlife habitat or
compensate the Tribe for loss of associated wildlife on Tribal Trust lands. Major environmental issues identified
during public scoping and the DEIS comment period are addressed in this FEIS, and include the following resource
topics: potential economic impacts, acquisition of private land by the federal government, mosquito and weed control,
impacts on water right holders, wildlife benefits and completion of the mitigation obligation.
Marker lat / long: 40.189724, -109.973591 (WGS84)