[env-trinity] Canyon Creek Suite of Restoration Sites EA/EIR complete and certified - PROJECT TO START THIS WEEK

[Brandt Gutermuth]

Dear Trinity River enthusiasts-

The Trinity River Restoration Program and North Coast Regional Water
Quality Control Board have finalized the Canyon Creek Suite of
Rehabilitation Sites Environmental Documents:  Project to Start This
Week 

Under guidance of the Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP), the
Bureau of Reclamation (the Federal lead agency) and the North Coast
Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) (the State lead agency)
have finalized a joint environmental document for the Canyon Creek Suite
of Rehabilitation Sites Project:  Trinity River Mile 73 to 78 (Project).
 The Environmental Assessment (EA) meets National Environmental Policy
Act provisions and fulfills evaluation needs stipulated under Executive
Orders 11988 (floodplain management), 11990 (protection of wetlands),
and 12898 (environmental justice).  A Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) has been signed for the project, and the RWQCB has certified
that the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) meets all California
Environmental Quality Act requirements.  

The proposed Project will conduct river rehabilitation activities at
four locations downstream of the TRRP's recently constructed Hocker
Flat Channel Rehabilitation Project at Junction City, California.  These
channel rehabilitation projects are identified in the Secretary of the
Interior's December 19, 2000, Record of Decision as a necessary step
towards restoration of the Trinity River's anadromous fishery. 
Together, Hocker Flat and the proposed Project include work at five
sites that will enhance river processes locally and are also expected to
increase and maintain fisheries habitat throughout the Trinity River
reach below Canyon Creek.  The proposed Project will accomplish this by
re-contouring bank and floodplain features during fall 2006.  

The FONSI-EA/Final EIR includes the EA/Draft EIR (incorporated by
reference), a list of persons and agencies commenting on the EA/Draft
EIR, written comments, Lead Agency responses to comments, revised
EA/Draft EIR text, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for
the proposed Project.  The document will be used to support necessary
permit applications as well as to identify and adopt appropriate
monitoring and mitigation plans.

All Project documents may be viewed online at
http://trrp.net/RestorationProgram/CanyonCreek.htm .  For further
information, please contact Mr. Brandt Gutermuth, TRRP, at 530-623-1806.




___________________________________
Brandt Gutermuth, Environmental Specialist
Trinity River Restoration Program
PO Box 1300 (mailing) 
1313 Main Street (physical address)
Weaverville, CA  96093
(530) 623-1806 voice; (530) 623-5944 fax
Bgutermuth at mp.usbr.gov
___________________________________