Intent To Prepare An Environmental Impact Statement and Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement for the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery Project

Resumen

BPA and BIA intend to prepare an EIS on the proposed Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery (NPTH) Project to try and rebuild naturally reproducing salmon runs in the watersheds of the Clearwater and Salmon River sub- basins. BPA and BIA intend to decide whether or not to provide funding to construct, operate, and maintain the NPTH in these sub-basins. BIA, as trustee for Tribal trust resources, will participate as co-lead agency with BPA. The Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) is the primary cooperating agency. The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental effects of the proposed action to construct and operate the NPTH and alternatives to the proposed action. This action may involve floodplains and wetlands located in the State of Idaho and within Nez Perce, Clearwater, and Idaho counties. In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain and wetlands environmental review requirements (10 CFR part 1022), BPA and BIA will prepare a floodplains and wetlands assessment and would perform this proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplains and wetlands. The assessment and a floodplain statement of findings will be included in the