WSP00360 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I 00J797 Ela Wildlife Sanctuary Habitat RestQration FONSI W ACO-GJ-FONSI-03-04 Page 3 An easement was obtained from the Grand Valley Audubon Society to remove a portion of the levee at the Ela Wildlife Sanctuary. Authorization from adjoining landowners to use an existing road to cross their property would be obtained prior to initiating construction activities, Section 404 authorization would be obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers prior to initiating construction activities. Removed material would be discharged in upland sites above the ordinary high waterline (OHW). An offset levee would be constructed to provide adjacent lands owners with the existing level of flood protection. Adjoining landowners would continue to experience flooding at the five-year frequency; however the proposed action would not increase the frequency of flooding on adjoining properties. Construction and levee removal activities would be limited to before and after the spring runoff period when river levels are low. Levee removal activities would be coordinated with CDOW and would occm outside the normal nesting and migration seasons to protect nesting waterfowl and migratory birds. Areas disturbed during construction would be revegetated with appropriate plant species (i.e. willows, grasses). The Recovery Program would evaluate and monitor changes in habitat at the Ela Wildlife Sanctuary. Additional activities, including but not limited to additional levee removal and excavation of ponds, that may be considered by the Recovery Program would be future actions not analyzed under NEP A and would require additional compliance measures, The Recovery Program has provided assurances that if any unexpected problems occur that are directly attributable to the notch in the levee, then the Recovery Program will take the appropriate corrective action. Based on a review of comments received, analysis of environmental impacts, and coordination with the Service under the Endangered Species Act, Reclamation concludes that implementation of the recommended habitat restoration at the Ela Wildlife Sanctuary will not have significant impacts on the quality of the human environment or the natural resources in the project area, and therefore further NEP A compliance in the form of an environmental impact statement will not be required, This Finding of No Significant Impact has, therefore, been prepared and is submitted to document environmental review and evaluation of the proposed action in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended,