83 FR 19095 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Hult Reservoir and Dam Safety Environmental Impact Statement in Lane County, Oregon
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 84 (May 1, 2018)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 84 (May 1, 2018)
| Page Range | 19095-19096 | |
| FR Document | 2018-09185 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 19095-19096] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-09185] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLORN03000.L63100000.DB0000.17XL1116AF.252Z.HAG 17-0170] Notice of Intent To Prepare a Hult Reservoir and Dam Safety Environmental Impact Statement in Lane County, Oregon AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Siuslaw Field Office, Northwest Oregon District, intends to prepare the Hult Reservoir and Dam Safety Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Through this Notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This Notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments may be submitted in writing until May 31, 2018. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through email and the ePlanning website. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the EIS by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]; ATTN: Panchita Paulete, Hult Dam and Reservoir Safety EIS. Fax: 541-683-6981; ATTN: Panchita Paulete, Planning and Environmental Coordinator. Mail: Bureau of Land Management, 3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E, Springfield, OR 97477-7909. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Northwest Oregon District's Springfield Interagency Office located at 3106 Pierce Parkway in Springfield, Oregon. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Panchita Paulete, Planning and Environmental Coordinator; 541-683-6976; [email protected] Contact Ms. Paulete if you wish to add your name to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1(800) 877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Hult Reservoir is located within the Lake Creek fifth-field watershed, near the community of Horton, Oregon, within the Siuslaw Field Office of the Northwest Oregon District at Township 15S, Range 7W, Sections 23 and 26, in Lane County, Oregon. The Hult Reservoir is a 41-acre man-made lake, approximately a half-mile long and less than a quarter-mile wide. The reservoir's depth ranges from approximately 15 feet to 35 feet, and contains another 10 to 15 feet of soft, silty sand. Below depths of 25 to 43 feet, it is estimated that the foundation of the reservoir consists of landslide deposits, which generally include cobbles, bounders, and large rock beds. The dam is an earthen dam which consists of loose rock placed on the downstream face. The dam and spillway at Hult Reservoir were originally constructed in 1950 to create a holding pond for logs by the Hult Timber Company. These lands were transferred to the BLM in 1994. During severe winter weather, the amount of rainfall in the catchment area contributes substantially to the water levels in the reservoir. The dam requires constant monitoring and adjustment of the outflow valve by BLM engineers to avoid overwhelming the current water level controls in place. Since the transfer of ownership, costly renovations to the dam (e.g., grouting, reinforcement structures, and monitoring devices) have been ongoing to address structural and safety concerns. In July 2012, the BLM completed a Comprehensive Dam Evaluation on the dam and spillway at Hult Reservoir, which found eleven potential failure modes presenting unacceptable high risks for dam failure, five of which warrant expedited action to address. These evaluations of the dam infrastructure also identified that the dam and spillway are currently at an elevated cumulative risk posed by all possible failure modes and associated potential life loss. In 2016, the BLM implemented improvements to the dam infrastructure, which improved some elements presenting cumulative risk. However, there is still a need to address the remaining cumulative safety risks associated with the dam at Hult Reservoir. The purpose of this project is to reduce the risk of infrastructure failure at Hult Dam from excessive water and sediment loading, within the scope of what the BLM could reasonably fund and within the scope of the BLM's jurisdiction. The EIS will analyze a range of alternatives to provide for a long- term management approach. The EIS will analyze a No Action alternative that would analyze the continued management and standard maintenance of Hult Dam in the current conditions. Some potential action alternatives include: Improving the existing dam infrastructure: This alternative would retain all existing dam infrastructure, but would implement patches, reinforcements, or other additions [[Page 19096]] necessary to ensure the safety and function of the structures. Removing the existing infrastructure and rebuilding the dam: This alternative would remove all existing dam infrastructure and rebuild the dam to necessary safety standards and flow functionality. Removing the dam and draining the reservoir: This alternative would permanently remove existing dam infrastructure to allow for permanent draining of the reservoir. Some of the anticipated concerns and resources that may be affected for this project include: Recreational opportunities, socioeconomic values, sediment routing, hydrologic flow controls, fisheries, sensitive plants, invasive and noxious weeds, cultural resources, access routes, and engineering design/safety. The BLM has identified the following potential issues to analyze in the EIS: How would the alternatives affect the safety risks to visitors and local communities from dam failure? How much would the alternatives cost to implement? How would the alternatives affect revenues of the local communities? How would the alternatives affect Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed fish passage? How would the alternatives affect ESA-listed fish habitat, including water temperature? How would the alternatives affect downstream water quantity available for consumptive water rights? How would the alternatives affect the historic value of the dam? How would the alternatives affect visitor recreation access and opportunities? How would the alternatives affect BLM-managed recreation sites? How would the alternatives affect existing populations of Bureau sensitive species plants? How would the alternatives affect the introduction and spread of invasive plants? Access to lands to the north of Hult Dam may be impacted during implementation of some potential action alternatives. The EIS will include analysis of changes to access from engineering design of the alternatives and the effect on safety. The BLM is conducting an evaluation of the dam to determine if the structure would qualify as a National Historic Property. Hult Dam has a fish ladder that does not function for passing Oregon coastal coho salmon. The non-functional fish ladder at the dam site currently blocks upstream fish passage to several miles of designated Oregon coastal coho critical habitat. Oregon coastal coho salmon are listed as threatened under the ESA. Two BLM sensitive aquatic plant species are present at the northern end of Hult Reservoir in a marsh: Bog clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata) and humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba). The noxious weed parrots feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) occurs in the reservoir, as does the non-native invasive weed reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). Herbicide use to manage the spread of the noxious and non-native invasive may be part of the alternatives considered. At this time, the reservoir upstream of the dam is managed as the Hult Reservoir Recreation Site Special Recreation Management Area, which offers opportunities for camping, day use, swimming, fishing, and scenic driving. There are no developed campsites; however, two vault toilets are available to the public. In December 2016, the BLM brought in a neutral third-party contractor to conduct stakeholder assessments and assist with facilitation of public involvement for this project. In March 2017, the contractor conducted in-person interviews with sixteen stakeholders, primarily in the town of Horton, Oregon, and in Triangle Lake community. Stakeholders represented property owners near the Hult Reservoir, local business owners, Triangle Lake School staff members, Siuslaw Watershed Council members, and fishing interest groups. The BLM will continue to use this neutral third-party contractor throughout the EIS process to assist with public outreach and engagement. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with Tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed project that the BLM is evaluating are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the EIS as a cooperating agency. The BLM will consult with The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde; Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians; and Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians during this analysis process. Instructions for submitting a public comment are provided under the ADDRESSES section above, and are provided on the BLM's ePlanning page for this EIS. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, please be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Jamie E. Connell, State Director, Oregon/Washington. [FR Doc. 2018-09185 Filed 4-30-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-33-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2018 / Notices 19095
89502; BLM Tonopah Field Office, 1553 Reservoir and Dam Safety contains another 10 to 15 feet of soft,
South Main Street, Tonopah, Nevada Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). silty sand. Below depths of 25 to 43 feet,
89049. Through this Notice, the BLM is it is estimated that the foundation of the
Information regarding the proposed announcing the beginning of the reservoir consists of landslide deposits,
withdrawal will be available for public scoping process to solicit public which generally include cobbles,
review at the BLM’s Tonopah Field comments and identify issues. bounders, and large rock beds. The dam
Office, during regular business hours, DATES: This Notice initiates the public is an earthen dam which consists of
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through scoping process for the EIS. Comments loose rock placed on the downstream
Friday, except Federal holidays. Before may be submitted in writing until May face.
including your address, phone number, 31, 2018. The date(s) and location(s) of The dam and spillway at Hult
email address, or other personally any scoping meetings will be Reservoir were originally constructed in
identifying information in your announced at least 15 days in advance 1950 to create a holding pond for logs
comment, you should be aware that through email and the ePlanning by the Hult Timber Company. These
your entire comment—including your website. In order to be included in the lands were transferred to the BLM in
personally identifying information— Draft EIS, all comments must be 1994. During severe winter weather, the
may be made publicly available at any received prior to the close of the 30-day amount of rainfall in the catchment area
time. While you can ask the BLM in scoping period or 15 days after the last contributes substantially to the water
your comment to withhold your public meeting, whichever is later. The levels in the reservoir. The dam requires
personally identifying information from BLM will provide additional constant monitoring and adjustment of
public review, we cannot guarantee that opportunities for public participation the outflow valve by BLM engineers to
we will be able to do so. upon publication of the Draft EIS. avoid overwhelming the current water
For a period until May 1, 2020, level controls in place. Since the
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
subject to valid existing rights, the transfer of ownership, costly
related to the EIS by any of the renovations to the dam (e.g., grouting,
public lands described in this Notice is following methods: reinforcement structures, and
segregated, for up to two years, from all • Email: blm_or_no_
forms of appropriation under the public monitoring devices) have been ongoing
publiccomments_nepa@blm.gov; ATTN:
land laws, including the mining laws to address structural and safety
Panchita Paulete, Hult Dam and
and the mineral-leasing laws, unless the concerns.
Reservoir Safety EIS. In July 2012, the BLM completed a
application/proposal is denied or • Fax: 541–683–6981; ATTN: Comprehensive Dam Evaluation on the
canceled or the withdrawal is approved Panchita Paulete, Planning and
prior to that date. dam and spillway at Hult Reservoir,
Environmental Coordinator. which found eleven potential failure
Licenses, permits, cooperative • Mail: Bureau of Land Management,
agreements, or discretionary land use modes presenting unacceptable high
3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E,
authorizations may be allowed during risks for dam failure, five of which
Springfield, OR 97477–7909.
the period of segregation, but only with warrant expedited action to address.
Documents pertinent to this proposal
the approval of the authorized officer These evaluations of the dam
may be examined at the Northwest
and, as appropriate, with the infrastructure also identified that the
Oregon District’s Springfield
concurrence of DOE. dam and spillway are currently at an
Interagency Office located at 3106
elevated cumulative risk posed by all
Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1714(b)(1) and 43 CFR Pierce Parkway in Springfield, Oregon.
possible failure modes and associated
2300 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: potential life loss. In 2016, the BLM
Panchita Paulete, Planning and implemented improvements to the dam
Michael J. Herder,
Environmental Coordinator; 541–683– infrastructure, which improved some
Acting State Director, Nevada. 6976; blm_or_no_publiccomments_
[FR Doc. 2018–09180 Filed 4–30–18; 8:45 am]
elements presenting cumulative risk.
nepa@blm.gov Contact Ms. Paulete if However, there is still a need to address
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P you wish to add your name to our the remaining cumulative safety risks
mailing list. Persons who use a associated with the dam at Hult
telecommunications device for the deaf Reservoir.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (TDD) may call the Federal Relay The purpose of this project is to
Service (FRS) at 1(800) 877–8339 to reduce the risk of infrastructure failure
Bureau of Land Management
contact the above individual during at Hult Dam from excessive water and
[LLORN03000.L63100000.DB0000. normal business hours. The FRS is sediment loading, within the scope of
17XL1116AF.252Z.HAG 17–0170] available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, what the BLM could reasonably fund
to leave a message or question with the and within the scope of the BLM’s
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Hult above individual. You will receive a
Reservoir and Dam Safety jurisdiction.
reply during normal business hours. The EIS will analyze a range of
Environmental Impact Statement in
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Hult alternatives to provide for a long-term
Lane County, Oregon
Reservoir is located within the Lake management approach. The EIS will
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Creek fifth-field watershed, near the analyze a No Action alternative that
Interior. community of Horton, Oregon, within would analyze the continued
ACTION: Notice of Intent. the Siuslaw Field Office of the management and standard maintenance
Northwest Oregon District at Township of Hult Dam in the current conditions.
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY: In accordance with the 15S, Range 7W, Sections 23 and 26, in Some potential action alternatives
National Environmental Policy Act Lane County, Oregon. include:
(NEPA) of 1969 and the Federal Land The Hult Reservoir is a 41-acre man- • Improving the existing dam
Policy and Management Act of 1976, the made lake, approximately a half-mile infrastructure: This alternative would
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) long and less than a quarter-mile wide. retain all existing dam infrastructure,
Siuslaw Field Office, Northwest Oregon The reservoir’s depth ranges from but would implement patches,
District, intends to prepare the Hult approximately 15 feet to 35 feet, and reinforcements, or other additions
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![19096 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2018 / Notices
necessary to ensure the safety and designated Oregon coastal coho critical information—may be made publicly
function of the structures. habitat. Oregon coastal coho salmon are available at any time. While you can ask
• Removing the existing listed as threatened under the ESA. us in your comment to withhold your
infrastructure and rebuilding the dam: Two BLM sensitive aquatic plant personal identifying information from
This alternative would remove all species are present at the northern end public review, we cannot guarantee that
existing dam infrastructure and rebuild of Hult Reservoir in a marsh: Bog we will be able to do so.
the dam to necessary safety standards clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata) and
humped bladderwort (Utricularia Jamie E. Connell,
and flow functionality.
• Removing the dam and draining the gibba). The noxious weed parrots State Director, Oregon/Washington.
reservoir: This alternative would feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) [FR Doc. 2018–09185 Filed 4–30–18; 8:45 am]
permanently remove existing dam occurs in the reservoir, as does the non- BILLING CODE 4310–33–P
infrastructure to allow for permanent native invasive weed reed canarygrass
draining of the reservoir. (Phalaris arundinacea). Herbicide use to
Some of the anticipated concerns and manage the spread of the noxious and DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
resources that may be affected for this non-native invasive may be part of the
project include: Recreational alternatives considered. National Park Service
opportunities, socioeconomic values, At this time, the reservoir upstream of [NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–NPS0025391;
sediment routing, hydrologic flow the dam is managed as the Hult PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000]
controls, fisheries, sensitive plants, Reservoir Recreation Site Special
invasive and noxious weeds, cultural Recreation Management Area, which Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S.
resources, access routes, and offers opportunities for camping, day Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City
engineering design/safety. The BLM has use, swimming, fishing, and scenic District, Kansas City, MO, and the
identified the following potential issues driving. There are no developed Nebraska State Historical Society,
to analyze in the EIS: campsites; however, two vault toilets Lincoln, NE
• How would the alternatives affect are available to the public.
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
the safety risks to visitors and local In December 2016, the BLM brought
in a neutral third-party contractor to ACTION: Notice.
communities from dam failure?
• How much would the alternatives conduct stakeholder assessments and SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
cost to implement? assist with facilitation of public Engineers, Kansas City District (Kansas
• How would the alternatives affect involvement for this project. In March City District), and the Nebraska State
revenues of the local communities? 2017, the contractor conducted in- Historical Society (NSHS) have
• How would the alternatives affect person interviews with sixteen completed an inventory of human
Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed stakeholders, primarily in the town of remains and associated funerary objects,
fish passage? Horton, Oregon, and in Triangle Lake
in consultation with the appropriate
• How would the alternatives affect community. Stakeholders represented
Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian
ESA-listed fish habitat, including water property owners near the Hult
organizations, and have determined that
temperature? Reservoir, local business owners,
there is a cultural affiliation between the
• How would the alternatives affect Triangle Lake School staff members,
human remains and associated funerary
downstream water quantity available for Siuslaw Watershed Council members,
objects and present-day Indian Tribes or
consumptive water rights? and fishing interest groups. The BLM
Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal
• How would the alternatives affect will continue to use this neutral third-
descendants or representatives of any
the historic value of the dam? party contractor throughout the EIS
Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
• How would the alternatives affect process to assist with public outreach
and engagement. organization not identified in this notice
visitor recreation access and
Federal, State, and local agencies, that wish to request transfer of control
opportunities?
of these human remains and associated
• How would the alternatives affect along with Tribes and other
stakeholders that may be interested in or funerary objects should submit a written
BLM-managed recreation sites?
• How would the alternatives affect affected by the proposed project that the request to the NSHS. If no additional
existing populations of Bureau sensitive BLM is evaluating are invited to requestors come forward, transfer of
species plants? participate in the scoping process and, control of the human remains and
• How would the alternatives affect if eligible, may request or be requested associated funerary objects to the lineal
the introduction and spread of invasive by the BLM to participate in the descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native
plants? development of the EIS as a cooperating Hawaiian organizations stated in this
Access to lands to the north of Hult agency. The BLM will consult with The notice may proceed.
Dam may be impacted during Confederated Tribes of the Grand DATES: Lineal descendants or
implementation of some potential action Ronde; Confederated Tribes of the Coos, representatives of any Indian Tribe or
alternatives. The EIS will include Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians; Native Hawaiian organization not
analysis of changes to access from and Confederated Tribes of the Siletz identified in this notice that wish to
engineering design of the alternatives Indians during this analysis process. request transfer of control of these
and the effect on safety. Instructions for submitting a public human remains and associated funerary
The BLM is conducting an evaluation comment are provided under the objects should submit a written request
of the dam to determine if the structure ADDRESSES section above, and are with information in support of the
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
would qualify as a National Historic provided on the BLM’s ePlanning page request to the NSHS at the address in
Property. for this EIS. Before including your this notice by May 31, 2018.
Hult Dam has a fish ladder that does address, phone number, email address, ADDRESSES: Rob Bozell, Nebraska State
not function for passing Oregon coastal or other personal identifying Historical Society, P.O. Box 82554,
coho salmon. The non-functional fish information in your comments, please Lincoln, NE 68501, telephone (402)
ladder at the dam site currently blocks be aware that your entire comment— 525–1624, email rob.bozell@
upstream fish passage to several miles of including your personal identifying nebraska.gov.
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Document Created: 2018-05-01 00:23:39
Document Modified: 2018-05-01 00:23:39
| 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 | Notice of Intent. | |
| Dates | This Notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments may be submitted in writing until May 31, 2018. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through email and the ePlanning website. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. | |
| Contact | Panchita Paulete, Planning and Environmental Coordinator; 541-683-6976; [email protected] Contact Ms. Paulete if you wish to add your name to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1(800) 877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 19095 |
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