83 FR 17542 - Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery, Yakima Basin Coho Project
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Bonneville Power Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 77 (April 20, 2018)
Bonneville Power Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 77 (April 20, 2018)
| Page Range | 17542-17545 | |
| FR Document | 2018-08285 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 17542-17545] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-08285] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Bonneville Power Administration Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery, Yakima Basin Coho Project AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Record of Decision (ROD). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has decided to implement the Proposed Action as described in the Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery, Yakima Basin Coho Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (DOE/EIS-0522, November 27, 2017). Under the Proposed Action, BPA will fund the construction and operation of the Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery (MRS Hatchery) in the Yakima Basin in central Washington. Operation of the MRS Hatchery will involve production of up to 700,000 coho salmon for release in the Yakima River and its subbasin, the Naches River. The hatchery will be owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation (Yakama Nation) and will be constructed on land owned by the Yakama Nation northwest of Ellensburg in Kittitas County, Washington. ADDRESSES: This ROD will be available to all interested parties and affected persons and agencies. It is being sent to all stakeholders who requested a copy. Copies of the Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery, Yakima Basin Coho Project Draft and Final EISs and additional copies of this ROD are available from BPA's Public Information Center, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon 97208. Copies of these documents may also be obtained by using BPA's nationwide toll-free document request line: 1-800-622- 4520, or by accessing the project website at www.bpa.gov/goto/MelvinSampsonHatchery. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Goodman, Bonneville Power Administration--ECF-4, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621; toll-free telephone number 1-800-622-4519; fax number 503-230-5699; or email [email protected]. [[Page 17543]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background BPA is a federal agency that markets power generated from the federal hydroelectric facilities on the Columbia River and its tributaries. BPA's operations are governed by several statutes, including the Northwest Power Act. The Northwest Power Act directs BPA to protect, mitigate, and enhance fish and wildlife affected by the development and operation of those federal hydroelectric facilities. To assist in accomplishing this, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (Council) makes recommendations to BPA concerning which fish and wildlife projects to fund. The Council gives deference to project proposals developed by state and tribal fishery managers and has a three-step process for reviewing artificial propagation project (i.e., hatcheries). The Yakama Nation's MRS Hatchery proposal is one of the projects recommended to BPA by the Council (Fritsch 2013) through their three-step review process, which included reviews from the Council's Independent Scientific Review Panel (ISRP).\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Council and the ISRP reviewed the Yakima Subbasin Summer and Fall Run Chinook and Coho Salmon Hatchery Master Plan (Yakama Nation 2012a), providing feedback and recommendations to the Yakama Nation on scientific goals and methods related to the coho program. On October 1, 2013, the Council and the ISRP determined the proposed Master Plan, as related to activities for the MRS Hatchery component of the coho program, sufficiently met scientific review criteria to recommend that BPA and the Yakama Nation move to Step 2 of the Council's process. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition, BPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation signed an agreement in 2008 with the Yakama Nation and other Tribes to work as partners to provide tangible survival benefits for salmon recovery. The 2008 Columbia Basin Fish Accords Memorandum of Agreement includes an agreement to fund the MRS Hatchery contingent on the favorable recommendation from the Council, completion of site- specific environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and compliance with other environmental laws. To meet obligations under NEPA, BPA prepared an EIS in which the Washington Department of Ecology was a cooperating agency. Public scoping for the MRS Hatchery EIS was initiated with the publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register (80 Federal Register [FR] 70770) on November 16, 2015. Concurrent with the publication of the Notice of Intent, BPA mailed a letter and map describing the proposal to neighboring landowners, affected tribes, local, state, and federal government officials, and known interested parties. BPA also held a public scoping meeting in Ellensburg, Washington (19 members of the public attended) and established a website (www.bpa.gov/goto/MelvinSampsonHatchery) with information about the project and the EIS process. The public scoping period ran from November 16, 2015 through January 4, 2016. BPA received comments from ten entities. In March 2017, BPA issued the draft EIS for public review and comment. Notice of Availability for the draft EIS was published in the Federal Register (Volume 82, Number 51) on March 17, 2017. In addition, the EIS or an announcement of its availability was emailed or mailed to over 100 entities--individuals, organizations, tribes, and agencies who had previously requested it--and the EIS was posted on the project website. The comment period ran from March 10, 2017 through May 1, 2017 and an open-house public meeting was held in Ellensburg, Washington. BPA received comments from nine entities on the draft EIS. After consideration of the comments, BPA issued the final EIS in November 2017. The final EIS responded to comments received on the draft EIS and made necessary corrections and revisions to the EIS text. As with the draft EIS, BPA distributed the final EIS to individuals, organizations, tribes, and agencies who had previously requested it, posted it on the BPA project website, and sent out letters announcing its availability to potentially interested parties. A Notice of Availability of the final EIS was published in the Federal Register (82 FR 55831) on November 24, 2017. Alternatives Considered The final EIS considered in detail the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. The final EIS also discussed other alternatives that were considered but eliminated from detailed study. The following summarizes the alternatives that were considered in detail in the EIS. Proposed Action Under the Proposed Action, BPA will fund the Yakama Nation for the construction and operation of the MRS Hatchery. The Proposed Action will help transition the Yakama Nation's existing coho restoration program in which broodstock are collected out-of-basin and juveniles are reared out-of-basin, to a program that will use in-basin rearing (at the MRS Hatchery) and the use of out-of-basin broodstock will be phased out as natural-origin broodstock become available. The Proposed Action will involve construction of a coho hatchery facility on eight acres at the former Holmes Ranch property. Facilities will include a hatchery building; adult holding and spawning ponds; a shop building; three employee houses; intake screens and a surface water pump station to provide Yakima River water via the existing New Cascade Canal diversion; stoplog supports to allow surface water to be diverted; one existing groundwater well and up to eight new wells; centralized degassing headbox for groundwater treatment and supply; site utilities, including pipes for water intake and discharge (outfall); a waste treatment pond; acclimation ponds and tanks; and site access roads. Under the Proposed Action, the MRS Hatchery will produce and release up to 500,000 coho parr and up to 200,000 coho smolts as part of the overall coho reintroduction program. Per NMFS consultation (NWR- 2011-06509; NMFS 2016a), the production of up to 200,000 smolts and 500,000 parr is authorized. Conversion to an all-smolt release (i.e., 700,000 smolts) is proposed if the parr/smolt release strategy does not meet adult return objectives, or if drought conditions preclude summer parr releases. The goal of the Proposed Action is for in-basin rearing of integrated coho juveniles at the MRS Hatchery using localized broodstock, with a goal to phase out all out-of-basin production. The transition to locally-adapted broodstock will occur at ever-increasing rates as natural-origin broodstock become available. Up to 1,000 coho adults, including natural- and hatchery-origin, will be collected at Roza Dam for broodstock for the proposed MRS Hatchery. Adults may also be collected at Prosser Dam as a backup source, and possibly in the future at the Cowiche or Wapatox Dams. The broodstock goal is to collect 1,000 fish that will be processed over a four month period. Prior to release, smolts will be acclimated in ponds adjacent to tributaries in which they will be released to help encourage their return as adults to these locations. A number of existing ponds, including Jack Creek, Hundley, Boone, and Easton will be used to acclimate coho smolts from the MRS Hatchery. Mobile acclimation units will also be used for a small number of coho smolts in the basin. Juvenile coho propagated at the MRS Hatchery will be released into tributaries that are not currently subject to coho releases, with a goal of seeding more habitats throughout the basin. [[Page 17544]] Monitoring, research, and evaluation of the overall Yakima- Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) coho reintroduction program is ongoing and would continue under the Proposed Action. Such activities would include coho spawning surveys, snorkel surveys, juvenile collection, and juvenile abundance surveys. Construction under the Proposed Action will comply with applicable regulatory requirements, permits, and guidance for protection of the environment and human well-being and safety, and will incorporate Best Management Practices such as erosion and dust control, waste management, weed management, fire prevention, and work-hour and noise restrictions. The Proposed Action incorporates special measures such as retaining as much native vegetation as possible, landscaping with native plants, erecting buildings reflective of local character, shielding of facility lighting, and installing water reuse and treatment systems. Instream structures will meet applicable NOAA Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fish passage design requirements, and construction will be managed to accommodate and reduce impacts on existing fish production and fish use of the affected waters. Instream work will occur behind temporary cofferdams or other appropriate water diversions and comply with applicable regulations and permits. Solid waste management and hatchery effluent treatment and filtering systems will ensure that discharge will comply with applicable regulations and permit standards. No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative as described in the EIS, BPA would have not funded the construction and operation of the proposed MRS Hatchery. The Yakama Nation would have still expanded juvenile release and acclimation locations, but would have not converted to complete in- basin rearing. The Yakama Nation would have likely continued using a combination of artificial production and habitat improvements to meet natural production and harvest goals, including increasing coho spawning in tributaries, phasing out imported releases of coho in the Yakima Basin, and testing and monitoring new acclimation techniques. Under the No Action Alternative, a portion of the juvenile coho released into the Yakima River as part of the overall YKFP coho reintroduction program would have continued to be reared out-of-basin. The release of out-of-basin juveniles would have expected to result in reduced survival and adult returns and would have not met the Yakama Nation's goal of providing a self-sustaining coho run throughout its historic range. Comments Received Since Issuance of the Final EIS Following the issuance of the final EIS, BPA received comments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 in accordance with EPA responsibilities to review EISs under Section 309 of the Clean Air Act. The comments were received in a letter dated December 21, 2017 and in follow-up conversations with EPA staff. These comments can be viewed on-line at www.bpa.gov/goto/MelvinSampsonHatchery. BPA has reviewed and considered EPA's comments in making its decision about funding the Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery Yakima Basin Coho Project. Although NEPA does not require written responses to comments received on a final EIS, this section of the ROD summarizes and addresses the EPA comments received since issuance of the final EIS. EPA's letter stated that the final EIS was responsive to their comments submitted on the draft EIS. EPA also further expanded on comments sent on the draft EIS and requested that BPA conduct additional quantitative analysis of water quality impacts due to hatchery effluent discharge. More specially, EPA requested that various parameters (ammonia nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, and phosphorous, total suspended solids [TSS], turbidity, and biochemical oxygen demand BOD) be considered in the effluent dilution calculations; that effluent dilution calculations be at the point of discharge into the side channel (which flows into the main channel of the Yakima River); that consideration be taken for effluent plumes in the Yakima River if lateral mixing is incomplete; and that BPA provide rationale that the analysis is considering worst-case conditions and rationale that the effluent discharge will achieve water quality standards. In response to these comments, BPA continued to work with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), the entity responsible for regulating water quality in the State of Washington, conducted additional waste load calculations, and had further conversations and email exchanges with EPA. As described in Sections 2.2.3.3, 3.5.1.4.2, 3.5.2.2.4, and 4.1.3.1.2 of the EIS, BPA and the Yakama Nation have worked with Ecology to ensure that the hatchery complies with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements. Per Washington State Administrative Code (WAC) 173-221A-100, all upland fin fish facilities require wastewater discharge permits requiring compliance with defined effluent standards, and must comply with the applicable Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The TMDLs determine the amount of pollutants that a given waterbody, in this case it is the Yakima River, can receive and still meet or exceed water quality standards. The permit application submitted to Ecology described the hatchery design (size, number of fish, water sources and flow rates, dimensions and volumes of settling ponds, discharge points and receiving waters, solid waste disposal areas, and details about the water condition equipment) and the water quality characterization of the hatchery effluent. The technical memo supporting the permit application and the additional hatchery effluent discharge analysis may be viewed on BPA's project website at www.bpa.gov/goto/MelvinSampsonHatchery. The Yakima River 7Q10 flow rate (the lowest 7-day average flow occurring on average once every 10 years) is 1,891 cubic feet per second (cfs), while the volume of discharge from the hatchery will be 4 cfs, 0.002 percent of the river flow. As described in Section 3.5.2.2.4 of the EIS, the effluent limits for general NPDES permit treatment requirements include a net total suspended solids (TSS) maximum concentration of 5 milligrams per liter (mg/l); the calculated TSS concentrations in the hatchery effluent during peak fish feeding (worst case pollutant discharge conditions) is 0.73 mg/l-- which is well under the requirements. This TSS limitation requirement is for the end-of- pipe effluent and does not require determinations of lateral mixing or dilution. The hatchery easily meets the TMDL load allocation that has been approved by EPA for the Yakima River. The additional waste load calculations conducted at EPA's request found that waste load allocations for total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), dissolved oxygen (DO), and total phosphorous associated with hatchery discharge had no-to-minimal influence on the background concentrations (TAN changed background river levels by 0.002mg/l; DO had no change; total phosphorous changed by 0.0004 mg/l over background levels). As described above, the TSS levels would be well under the TMDL load allocation requirements, and because of the correlation of TSS and turbidity, Ecology determined that, based on the limitations associated with TSS, the [[Page 17545]] facility would not impact the Yakima River turbidity. BOD is not a pollutant of concern with fish hatcheries; there are no BOD limitations in either federal requirements or in the 2015 Upland Fin-Fish Hatchery and Rearing general permit requirements. Therefore, BPA believes it has sufficiently considered the potential impacts of the effluent pollutants on water quality. Regarding EPA's comment that the side channel dilution rates should be considered, the end-of-pipe effluent that would be discharged into the side channel would meet the water quality standards for the Yakima River, whether it is into the side channel or the main stem itself; dilution is not part of the criteria for meeting the effluent water quality standards. Therefore, BPA believes that further calculations of dilution rates are not necessary or relevant to water quality considerations. The end-of-pipe effluent water quality also pertains to EPA's comment on whether there would be effluent plumes due to incomplete lateral mixing in the Yakima River. The hatchery operation at full capacity has to meet end-of-pipe discharge limitations that reduce the existing load present in the Yakima River. The WAC sets effluent limitation guidelines for the pollutant of concern to meet water quality standards at the end-of-pipe, not at some point downstream after a mixing zone or dilution factor are taken into consideration. Therefore, because the effluent itself would meet load requirements, there would be no plumes within the river due to the effluent and further consideration of lateral mixing is not necessary or relevant. Ecology is poised to issue an NPDES permit for the hatchery and has stated that it is satisfied that the hatchery effluent would clearly meet all water quality criteria. As such, BPA believes it has a sufficient understanding of the impacts of the hatchery effluent on water quality, that the final EIS provides appropriate consideration and analyses of these impacts to meet the requirements of NEPA, and that the additional calculations do not alter the conclusions made in the final EIS about potential water quality impacts. Rationale for Decision In making its decision to implement the Proposed Action, BPA has considered and balanced a variety of relevant factors. BPA considered how well the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative would fit with BPA's statutory missions and relevant policies and procedures. BPA also considered the environmental impacts described in the final EIS, as well as public comments received throughout the NEPA process for the Project. Another consideration was the extent to which each alternative under consideration would meet the following BPA purposes (i.e., objectives) identified in the final EIS:Support efforts to mitigate for effects of the development and operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System on fish and wildlife in the mainstem Columbia River and its tributaries under the Northwest Power Act. Assist in carrying out commitments related to proposed hatchery actions that are contained in the 2008 Columbia Basin Fish Accords Memorandum of Agreement with the Yakama Nation and others. Implement BPA's Fish and Wildlife Implementation Plan EIS and Record of Decision policy direction, which calls for protecting weak stocks, while sustaining overall populations of fish for their economic and cultural value. Minimize harm to natural and human resources, including species listed under the Endangered Species Act. After considering and balancing all of these factors, BPA has decided to fund the Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery, Yakima Basin Coho Project. The Proposed Action was recommended to BPA for funding by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council and is consistent with the Council's Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. Providing funding for the construction of the Proposed Action will help mitigate for the effects of the FCRPS on fish and wildlife by restoring natural coho spawning in the Yakima Basin. In addition, the Proposed Action is consistent with commitments contained in the 2008 Columbia Basin Fish Accords, as well as with BPA's Fish and Wildlife Implementation Plan policy direction for protecting weak stocks, while sustaining overall populations of fish for their economic and cultural value. In planning and designing the hatchery, BPA, the Yakama Nation, and other project designers worked to minimize environmental and social impacts through project design, consultation with regulatory entities, and development of mitigation measures. Impacts considered and fully disclosed in the final EIS, include disturbance of soils, vegetation removal, conversion of habitat, groundwater and surface water impacts on aquifers and floodplains, impacts of hatchery effluent discharge, impacts of hatchery construction and juvenile coho releases on species such as bull trout and steelhead, and visual changes associated with new structures. Mitigation All mitigation measures described in the final EIS and the project Biological Assessment with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been adopted. A complete list of these measures is presented in the project Mitigation Action Plan, available on the project website. All practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm are adopted. Issued in Portland, Oregon, on April 10, 2018. Dated: April 10, 2018. Elliot E. Mainzer, Administrator and Chief Executive Officer. [FR Doc. 2018-08285 Filed 4-19-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
![17542 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices
efforts to reduce the risk of dam failure. 3. Issues To Be Addressed. USACE is comments to be addressed in the final
During the PIE, additional risk issues evaluating ways of raising, modifying, EIS.
were noted concerning the 70-year old and/or replacing existing spillway gates Dated: April 13, 2018.
main dam spillway gates. Electrical, and operating equipment to address Angela E. Dunn,
mechanical and structural operability spillway gate reliability for all range of
Project Planning Branch Chief, U.S. Army
issues affect the reliability of controlled possible flood events, especially large Corps of Engineers, Nashville District.
spillway releases. If the spillway gates and more extreme flood events. The
[FR Doc. 2018–08291 Filed 4–19–18; 8:45 am]
do not reliably operate during an DSMSR and draft EIS would evaluate
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
extreme flood event, the reservoir would the Center Hill Dam Water Control
raise and potentially result in a Manual emergency operating
premature fuse plug operation. The fuse procedures and potential alternative
plug is designed to discharge spillway options to determine if changes DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
approximately 400,000 cubic feet per are warranted to minimize overall dam
Bonneville Power Administration
second within 30 minutes. The safety risk. The draft EIS would include,
consequences of premature discharge of but is not limited to identification and Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery, Yakima
an enormous volume of flood water are evaluation of effects to aquatic and Basin Coho Project
estimated to be above the Corps of terrestrial habitats, cultural resources,
Engineer’s tolerable risk limit. The draft state and federally listed species, AGENCY: Bonneville Power
EIS would address the findings of the socioeconomics, public safety, Administration (BPA), Department of
PIE and assess effectiveness of potential structures, hydrology and hydraulics, Energy (DOE).
alternatives to further reduce risk and recreation, water supply, water quality, ACTION: Record of Decision (ROD).
increase dam safety. The dam seepage flood storage, hydropower production,
repair construction contracts noted land use, visual and aesthetic resources, SUMMARY: The Bonneville Power
previously, have increased dam safety and dam safety risk reduction at Center Administration (BPA) has decided to
and were covered under previous NEPA Hill Dam as a result of the proposed implement the Proposed Action as
documents. alternatives. described in the Melvin R. Sampson
Hatchery, Yakima Basin Coho Project
2. Potential Alternatives. The draft 4. Public Involvement and Scoping.
Final Environmental Impact Statement
EIS would address an array of This NOI serves as the initial step to
(EIS) (DOE/EIS–0522, November 27,
alternatives that could reduce the risk of involve Federal and state agencies,
2017). Under the Proposed Action, BPA
life loss, extensive downstream damage, Indian Tribes, local governments, and
will fund the construction and
functional loss of the project, and the the public in an early and transparent
operation of the Melvin R. Sampson
loss of project benefits. The nature and process in accordance with NEPA
Hatchery (MRS Hatchery) in the Yakima
extent of the alternatives would be requirements. The draft EIS would
Basin in central Washington. Operation
determined based on the results of on- address impacts to the human
of the MRS Hatchery will involve
going engineering studies, public and environment due to the proposed
production of up to 700,000 coho
agency input during the scoping period, alternatives. Concerns would be
salmon for release in the Yakima River
and preparation of the draft EIS. identified based on public and agency
and its subbasin, the Naches River. The
Alternatives, either individually or in input during the scoping process and
hatchery will be owned and operated by
combination, that have potential to during preparation of the draft EIS. All
the Confederated Tribes and Bands of
affect structures or operations of the interested parties are encouraged to
the Yakama Nation (Yakama Nation)
dam may include the following: submit their name and email address to
and will be constructed on land owned
a. Replacement of the current gate the address noted above, to be placed on
by the Yakama Nation northwest of
machinery with hydraulic machinery the project mailing list to receive fact
Ellensburg in Kittitas County,
that can operate under water; sheets, newsletters and related public
Washington.
b. Addition of equipment to the notices. All interested parties are
current spillway gates to keep them invited to identify issues that should be ADDRESSES: This ROD will be available
open if the operating machinery is addressed in the draft EIS. A scoping to all interested parties and affected
underwater; meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2018 persons and agencies. It is being sent to
c. Modification of the spillway gates from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at The Buffalo all stakeholders who requested a copy.
or gate machinery to allow operation Valley Community Center, 2717 Buffalo Copies of the Melvin R. Sampson
from the top of the dam; Valley School Road, Buffalo Valley, Hatchery, Yakima Basin Coho Project
d. Relocation of the gate operating Tennessee. The purpose of the public Draft and Final EISs and additional
machinery to the road level, which scoping meeting is to present copies of this ROD are available from
would require raising or relocating information to the public regarding BPA’s Public Information Center, P.O.
Highway 96 which currently crosses potential alternatives that would be Box 3621, Portland, Oregon 97208.
over the dam; addressed in the draft EIS, receive Copies of these documents may also be
e. Removal of the existing fuse plug at public comments, and to solicit input obtained by using BPA’s nationwide
the saddle dam and installation of regarding dam safety concerns, toll-free document request line: 1–800–
spillway additions on top of the newly alternatives to consider, and 622–4520, or by accessing the project
constructed RCC Berm to discharge environmental or social issues of website at www.bpa.gov/goto/Melvin
flood water down the valley; concern to the public. SampsonHatchery.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
f. Modification of the emergency 6. Availability of the Draft EIS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
operations plan in the water control USACE intends to circulate the draft EIS Dave Goodman, Bonneville Power
manual that determines how to manage in the late 2018/early 2019 time frame. Administration—ECF–4, P.O. Box 3621,
floods at Center Hill Dam; and USACE will announce availability of the Portland, Oregon, 97208–3621; toll-free
g. Other alternatives as identified by draft EIS in the Federal Register and telephone number 1–800–622–4519; fax
on-going engineering studies, the other media, and will provide interested number 503–230–5699; or email
public, and agencies. parties an opportunity to submit jdgoodman@bpa.gov.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices 17543
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: the proposal to neighboring landowners, be phased out as natural-origin
affected tribes, local, state, and federal broodstock become available.
Background The Proposed Action will involve
government officials, and known
BPA is a federal agency that markets interested parties. BPA also held a construction of a coho hatchery facility
power generated from the federal public scoping meeting in Ellensburg, on eight acres at the former Holmes
hydroelectric facilities on the Columbia Washington (19 members of the public Ranch property. Facilities will include a
River and its tributaries. BPA’s attended) and established a website hatchery building; adult holding and
operations are governed by several (www.bpa.gov/goto/MelvinSampson spawning ponds; a shop building; three
statutes, including the Northwest Power Hatchery) with information about the employee houses; intake screens and a
Act. The Northwest Power Act directs project and the EIS process. The public surface water pump station to provide
BPA to protect, mitigate, and enhance scoping period ran from November 16, Yakima River water via the existing
fish and wildlife affected by the 2015 through January 4, 2016. BPA New Cascade Canal diversion; stoplog
development and operation of those received comments from ten entities. supports to allow surface water to be
federal hydroelectric facilities. To assist In March 2017, BPA issued the draft diverted; one existing groundwater well
in accomplishing this, the Northwest EIS for public review and comment. and up to eight new wells; centralized
Power and Conservation Council Notice of Availability for the draft EIS degassing headbox for groundwater
(Council) makes recommendations to was published in the Federal Register treatment and supply; site utilities,
BPA concerning which fish and wildlife (Volume 82, Number 51) on March 17, including pipes for water intake and
projects to fund. The Council gives 2017. In addition, the EIS or an discharge (outfall); a waste treatment
deference to project proposals announcement of its availability was pond; acclimation ponds and tanks; and
developed by state and tribal fishery emailed or mailed to over 100 entities— site access roads.
managers and has a three-step process individuals, organizations, tribes, and Under the Proposed Action, the MRS
for reviewing artificial propagation agencies who had previously requested Hatchery will produce and release up to
project (i.e., hatcheries). The Yakama it—and the EIS was posted on the 500,000 coho parr and up to 200,000
Nation’s MRS Hatchery proposal is one project website. The comment period coho smolts as part of the overall coho
of the projects recommended to BPA by ran from March 10, 2017 through May reintroduction program. Per NMFS
the Council (Fritsch 2013) through their 1, 2017 and an open-house public consultation (NWR–2011–06509; NMFS
three-step review process, which meeting was held in Ellensburg, 2016a), the production of up to 200,000
included reviews from the Council’s Washington. smolts and 500,000 parr is authorized.
Independent Scientific Review Panel BPA received comments from nine Conversion to an all-smolt release (i.e.,
(ISRP).1 entities on the draft EIS. After 700,000 smolts) is proposed if the parr/
In addition, BPA, U.S. Army Corps of consideration of the comments, BPA smolt release strategy does not meet
Engineers, and U.S. Bureau of issued the final EIS in November 2017. adult return objectives, or if drought
Reclamation signed an agreement in The final EIS responded to comments conditions preclude summer parr
2008 with the Yakama Nation and other received on the draft EIS and made releases. The goal of the Proposed
Tribes to work as partners to provide necessary corrections and revisions to Action is for in-basin rearing of
tangible survival benefits for salmon the EIS text. As with the draft EIS, BPA integrated coho juveniles at the MRS
recovery. The 2008 Columbia Basin Fish distributed the final EIS to individuals, Hatchery using localized broodstock,
Accords Memorandum of Agreement organizations, tribes, and agencies who with a goal to phase out all out-of-basin
includes an agreement to fund the MRS had previously requested it, posted it on production. The transition to locally-
Hatchery contingent on the favorable the BPA project website, and sent out adapted broodstock will occur at ever-
recommendation from the Council, letters announcing its availability to increasing rates as natural-origin
completion of site-specific potentially interested parties. A Notice broodstock become available.
environmental review under the of Availability of the final EIS was Up to 1,000 coho adults, including
National Environmental Policy Act published in the Federal Register (82 natural- and hatchery-origin, will be
(NEPA), and compliance with other FR 55831) on November 24, 2017. collected at Roza Dam for broodstock for
environmental laws. the proposed MRS Hatchery. Adults
To meet obligations under NEPA, Alternatives Considered may also be collected at Prosser Dam as
BPA prepared an EIS in which the The final EIS considered in detail the a backup source, and possibly in the
Washington Department of Ecology was Proposed Action and the No Action future at the Cowiche or Wapatox Dams.
a cooperating agency. Public scoping for Alternative. The final EIS also discussed The broodstock goal is to collect 1,000
the MRS Hatchery EIS was initiated other alternatives that were considered fish that will be processed over a four
with the publication of the Notice of but eliminated from detailed study. The month period.
Intent in the Federal Register (80 following summarizes the alternatives Prior to release, smolts will be
Federal Register [FR] 70770) on that were considered in detail in the acclimated in ponds adjacent to
November 16, 2015. Concurrent with EIS. tributaries in which they will be
the publication of the Notice of Intent, released to help encourage their return
Proposed Action as adults to these locations. A number
BPA mailed a letter and map describing
Under the Proposed Action, BPA will of existing ponds, including Jack Creek,
1 The Council and the ISRP reviewed the Yakima fund the Yakama Nation for the Hundley, Boone, and Easton will be
Subbasin Summer and Fall Run Chinook and Coho construction and operation of the MRS used to acclimate coho smolts from the
Salmon Hatchery Master Plan (Yakama Nation Hatchery. The Proposed Action will MRS Hatchery. Mobile acclimation
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
2012a), providing feedback and recommendations
to the Yakama Nation on scientific goals and
help transition the Yakama Nation’s units will also be used for a small
methods related to the coho program. On October existing coho restoration program in number of coho smolts in the basin.
1, 2013, the Council and the ISRP determined the which broodstock are collected out-of- Juvenile coho propagated at the MRS
proposed Master Plan, as related to activities for the basin and juveniles are reared out-of- Hatchery will be released into
MRS Hatchery component of the coho program,
sufficiently met scientific review criteria to
basin, to a program that will use in- tributaries that are not currently subject
recommend that BPA and the Yakama Nation move basin rearing (at the MRS Hatchery) and to coho releases, with a goal of seeding
to Step 2 of the Council’s process. the use of out-of-basin broodstock will more habitats throughout the basin.
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![17544 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices
Monitoring, research, and evaluation to result in reduced survival and adult Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
of the overall Yakima-Klickitat Fisheries returns and would have not met the (NPDES) requirements. Per Washington
Project (YKFP) coho reintroduction Yakama Nation’s goal of providing a State Administrative Code (WAC) 173–
program is ongoing and would continue self-sustaining coho run throughout its 221A–100, all upland fin fish facilities
under the Proposed Action. Such historic range. require wastewater discharge permits
activities would include coho spawning requiring compliance with defined
Comments Received Since Issuance of
surveys, snorkel surveys, juvenile effluent standards, and must comply
the Final EIS
collection, and juvenile abundance with the applicable Total Maximum
surveys. Following the issuance of the final Daily Loads (TMDLs). The TMDLs
Construction under the Proposed EIS, BPA received comments from the determine the amount of pollutants that
Action will comply with applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a given waterbody, in this case it is the
regulatory requirements, permits, and (EPA) Region 10 in accordance with Yakima River, can receive and still meet
guidance for protection of the EPA responsibilities to review EISs or exceed water quality standards. The
environment and human well-being and under Section 309 of the Clean Air Act. permit application submitted to Ecology
safety, and will incorporate Best The comments were received in a letter described the hatchery design (size,
Management Practices such as erosion dated December 21, 2017 and in follow- number of fish, water sources and flow
and dust control, waste management, up conversations with EPA staff. These rates, dimensions and volumes of
weed management, fire prevention, and comments can be viewed on-line at settling ponds, discharge points and
work-hour and noise restrictions. The www.bpa.gov/goto/MelvinSampson receiving waters, solid waste disposal
Proposed Action incorporates special Hatchery. BPA has reviewed and areas, and details about the water
measures such as retaining as much considered EPA’s comments in making condition equipment) and the water
native vegetation as possible, its decision about funding the Melvin R. quality characterization of the hatchery
landscaping with native plants, erecting Sampson Hatchery Yakima Basin Coho effluent. The technical memo
buildings reflective of local character, Project. supporting the permit application and
shielding of facility lighting, and Although NEPA does not require the additional hatchery effluent
installing water reuse and treatment written responses to comments received discharge analysis may be viewed on
systems. Instream structures will meet on a final EIS, this section of the ROD BPA’s project website at www.bpa.gov/
applicable NOAA Fisheries and U.S. summarizes and addresses the EPA goto/MelvinSampsonHatchery.
Fish and Wildlife Service fish passage comments received since issuance of the The Yakima River 7Q10 flow rate (the
design requirements, and construction final EIS. lowest 7-day average flow occurring on
will be managed to accommodate and EPA’s letter stated that the final EIS average once every 10 years) is 1,891
reduce impacts on existing fish was responsive to their comments cubic feet per second (cfs), while the
production and fish use of the affected submitted on the draft EIS. EPA also volume of discharge from the hatchery
waters. further expanded on comments sent on will be 4 cfs, 0.002 percent of the river
Instream work will occur behind the draft EIS and requested that BPA flow. As described in Section 3.5.2.2.4
temporary cofferdams or other conduct additional quantitative analysis of the EIS, the effluent limits for general
appropriate water diversions and of water quality impacts due to hatchery NPDES permit treatment requirements
comply with applicable regulations and effluent discharge. More specially, EPA include a net total suspended solids
permits. Solid waste management and requested that various parameters (TSS) maximum concentration of 5
hatchery effluent treatment and filtering (ammonia nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, milligrams per liter (mg/l); the
systems will ensure that discharge will and phosphorous, total suspended calculated TSS concentrations in the
comply with applicable regulations and solids [TSS], turbidity, and biochemical hatchery effluent during peak fish
permit standards. oxygen demand BOD) be considered in feeding (worst case pollutant discharge
the effluent dilution calculations; that conditions) is 0.73 mg/l— which is well
No Action Alternative effluent dilution calculations be at the under the requirements. This TSS
Under the No Action Alternative as point of discharge into the side channel limitation requirement is for the end-of-
described in the EIS, BPA would have (which flows into the main channel of pipe effluent and does not require
not funded the construction and the Yakima River); that consideration be determinations of lateral mixing or
operation of the proposed MRS taken for effluent plumes in the Yakima dilution. The hatchery easily meets the
Hatchery. The Yakama Nation would River if lateral mixing is incomplete; TMDL load allocation that has been
have still expanded juvenile release and and that BPA provide rationale that the approved by EPA for the Yakima River.
acclimation locations, but would have analysis is considering worst-case The additional waste load
not converted to complete in-basin conditions and rationale that the calculations conducted at EPA’s request
rearing. The Yakama Nation would have effluent discharge will achieve water found that waste load allocations for
likely continued using a combination of quality standards. total ammonia nitrogen (TAN),
artificial production and habitat In response to these comments, BPA dissolved oxygen (DO), and total
improvements to meet natural continued to work with the Washington phosphorous associated with hatchery
production and harvest goals, including State Department of Ecology (Ecology), discharge had no-to-minimal influence
increasing coho spawning in tributaries, the entity responsible for regulating on the background concentrations (TAN
phasing out imported releases of coho in water quality in the State of changed background river levels by
the Yakima Basin, and testing and Washington, conducted additional 0.002mg/l; DO had no change; total
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
monitoring new acclimation techniques. waste load calculations, and had further phosphorous changed by 0.0004 mg/l
Under the No Action Alternative, a conversations and email exchanges with over background levels). As described
portion of the juvenile coho released EPA. above, the TSS levels would be well
into the Yakima River as part of the As described in Sections 2.2.3.3, under the TMDL load allocation
overall YKFP coho reintroduction 3.5.1.4.2, 3.5.2.2.4, and 4.1.3.1.2 of the requirements, and because of the
program would have continued to be EIS, BPA and the Yakama Nation have correlation of TSS and turbidity,
reared out-of-basin. The release of out- worked with Ecology to ensure that the Ecology determined that, based on the
of-basin juveniles would have expected hatchery complies with National limitations associated with TSS, the
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices 17545
facility would not impact the Yakima comments received throughout the steelhead, and visual changes associated
River turbidity. BOD is not a pollutant NEPA process for the Project. with new structures.
of concern with fish hatcheries; there Another consideration was the extent
to which each alternative under Mitigation
are no BOD limitations in either federal
requirements or in the 2015 Upland Fin- consideration would meet the following All mitigation measures described in
Fish Hatchery and Rearing general BPA purposes (i.e., objectives) the final EIS and the project Biological
permit requirements. Therefore, BPA identified in the final EIS: Assessment with the U.S. Fish and
believes it has sufficiently considered • Support efforts to mitigate for Wildlife Service have been adopted. A
the potential impacts of the effluent effects of the development and complete list of these measures is
pollutants on water quality. operation of the Federal Columbia River presented in the project Mitigation
Regarding EPA’s comment that the Power System on fish and wildlife in Action Plan, available on the project
side channel dilution rates should be the mainstem Columbia River and its website. All practicable means to avoid
considered, the end-of-pipe effluent that tributaries under the Northwest Power or minimize environmental harm are
would be discharged into the side Act. adopted.
channel would meet the water quality • Assist in carrying out commitments
Issued in Portland, Oregon, on April 10,
standards for the Yakima River, whether related to proposed hatchery actions 2018.
it is into the side channel or the main that are contained in the 2008 Columbia
Dated: April 10, 2018.
stem itself; dilution is not part of the Basin Fish Accords Memorandum of
Agreement with the Yakama Nation and Elliot E. Mainzer,
criteria for meeting the effluent water
quality standards. Therefore, BPA others. Administrator and Chief Executive Officer.
believes that further calculations of • Implement BPA’s Fish and Wildlife [FR Doc. 2018–08285 Filed 4–19–18; 8:45 am]
dilution rates are not necessary or Implementation Plan EIS and Record of BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
relevant to water quality considerations. Decision policy direction, which calls
The end-of-pipe effluent water quality for protecting weak stocks, while
also pertains to EPA’s comment on sustaining overall populations of fish for DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
whether there would be effluent plumes their economic and cultural value.
due to incomplete lateral mixing in the • Minimize harm to natural and Proposed Subsequent Arrangement
Yakima River. The hatchery operation at human resources, including species AGENCY: National Nuclear Security
full capacity has to meet end-of-pipe listed under the Endangered Species Administration, Department of Energy.
discharge limitations that reduce the Act.
After considering and balancing all of ACTION: Proposed subsequent
existing load present in the Yakima arrangement.
River. The WAC sets effluent limitation these factors, BPA has decided to fund
guidelines for the pollutant of concern the Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery, SUMMARY: This document is being
to meet water quality standards at the Yakima Basin Coho Project. The issued under the authority of the
end-of-pipe, not at some point Proposed Action was recommended to Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.
downstream after a mixing zone or BPA for funding by the Northwest The Department is providing notice of a
dilution factor are taken into Power and Conservation Council and is proposed subsequent arrangement
consideration. Therefore, because the consistent with the Council’s Columbia under the Agreement between the
effluent itself would meet load River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. Government of the United States of
requirements, there would be no plumes Providing funding for the construction America and the Government of
within the river due to the effluent and of the Proposed Action will help Australia Concerning Peaceful Uses of
further consideration of lateral mixing is mitigate for the effects of the FCRPS on Nuclear Energy and the Agreement for
not necessary or relevant. fish and wildlife by restoring natural Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of
Ecology is poised to issue an NPDES coho spawning in the Yakima Basin. In Nuclear Energy between the United
permit for the hatchery and has stated addition, the Proposed Action is States of America and the European
that it is satisfied that the hatchery consistent with commitments contained Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).
effluent would clearly meet all water in the 2008 Columbia Basin Fish
DATES: This subsequent arrangement
quality criteria. As such, BPA believes Accords, as well as with BPA’s Fish and
Wildlife Implementation Plan policy will take effect no sooner than May 7,
it has a sufficient understanding of the 2018 and after 15 days of continuous
impacts of the hatchery effluent on direction for protecting weak stocks,
while sustaining overall populations of session of the Congress has elapsed,
water quality, that the final EIS provides beginning the day after the date on
appropriate consideration and analyses fish for their economic and cultural
value. which the reports required under
of these impacts to meet the section 131b.(1) of the Atomic Energy
requirements of NEPA, and that the In planning and designing the
hatchery, BPA, the Yakama Nation, and Act of 1954, as amended, are submitted
additional calculations do not alter the to the House Foreign Affairs Committee
conclusions made in the final EIS about other project designers worked to
minimize environmental and social and the Senate Foreign Relations
potential water quality impacts. Committee. The two time periods
impacts through project design,
Rationale for Decision consultation with regulatory entities, referred to above may run concurrently.
In making its decision to implement and development of mitigation FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
the Proposed Action, BPA has measures. Impacts considered and fully Sean Oehlbert, Office of
considered and balanced a variety of disclosed in the final EIS, include Nonproliferation and Arms Control,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
relevant factors. BPA considered how disturbance of soils, vegetation removal, National Nuclear Security
well the Proposed Action and the No conversion of habitat, groundwater and Administration, Department of Energy.
Action Alternative would fit with BPA’s surface water impacts on aquifers and Telephone: 202–586–3806 or email:
statutory missions and relevant policies floodplains, impacts of hatchery effluent Sean.Oehlbert@nnsa.doe.gov.
and procedures. BPA also considered discharge, impacts of hatchery SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
the environmental impacts described in construction and juvenile coho releases subsequent arrangement concerns the
the final EIS, as well as public on species such as bull trout and retransfer of 507,713 g of U.S.-obligated
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Document Created: 2018-04-20 00:03:31
Document Modified: 2018-04-20 00:03:31
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Record of Decision (ROD). | |
| Contact | Dave Goodman, Bonneville Power Administration--ECF-4, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621; toll-free telephone number 1-800-622-4519; fax number 503-230-5699; or email [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 17542 |
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