J_3_F__State_Environmental_Protection_Act_0001.pdf

STATE OF WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY

Office of Columbia River

1250 West Alder St., Union Gap, WA 98903-0009 • 509-575-2490

STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT

DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE (DNS) AND ADOPTION OF EXISTING

ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT (ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT)

Date of Issuance: June 6, 2024

Lead Agency: Department of Ecology, Office of Columbia River

Agency Contact: Kevin Haydon, at (509) 823-6947 or Kevin.Haydon@ecy.wa.gov

Name of Proposal: Clear Creek Dam Fish Passage Project

Description of Proposal: The Bureau of Reclamation proposes to construct and operate a fish passage system at Clear Creek Dam in Yakima County, WA. Clear Creek Dam Fish Passage is identified in the initial development phase of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, which is supported by our partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Fish and Wildlife, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and other local, state and federal entities. The proposed fish passage system will replace a non-functioning ladder on the spillway constructed in 1993.

Under the Proposed Action, Reclamation will construct a pool and weir fish ladder to provide upstream fish passage at Clear Creek Dam. Implementation of the Clear Creek Dam Fish Passage Project will include construction of the cast-in-place concrete fish ladder, miscellaneous metalwork, and fencing. Mechanical features to be installed include pump, false weir, valving, slide gates and piping. Electrical features to be installed include lighting, security cameras and receptacles, and other ancillary items. Site development to be completed includes a generator building and resurfacing access roads.

Location of Proposal: On the east side of Washington’s Cascade Mountain Range, about 30 miles southwest of Naches and 48 miles west of Yakima, Clear Creek Dam creates a reservoir (Clear Lake) with an active capacity of 5,300 acre-feet with a consistent pool (lake) elevation of approximately 3,011.3 feet over a surface area of approximately 260 acres. The project location is on federal lands, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Forest Service Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, in township 13N, Range 12E, Sections 11 and 12.

Latitude: 46°37'46.25"N, Longitude: 121°16'19.20"W.

mailto:Kevin.Haydon@ecy.wa.gov

Applicant/Proponent: Bureau of Reclamation, Columbia-Cascades Area Office, Elizabeth Heether, (509) 573-8023, Eheether@usbr.gov

This determination is based on the following findings and conclusions:

Title of Document Being Adopted: Final Environmental Assessment (EA) titled, “Final Environmental Assessment Clear Creek Dam Fish Passage Project” with Final Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for that Environmental Assessment, which together make up the Environmental Assessment.

Agency that Prepared Document Being Adopted: United States Bureau of Reclamation, Columbia-Cascades Area Office.

Date Adopted Document was Prepared: Environmental Assessment Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact Notice dated April 22, 2024.

Description of Document (or portion thereof) Being Adopted: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation prepared the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

The FONSI has not been appealed.

The adopted document is available at: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/clearcreek/index.html.

We have identified and adopted this federal environmental review document as being appropriate for this proposal after independent state SEPA review. The document meets our environmental review needs for the current proposal and will accompany the proposal to the decision makers.

Ecology has determined that this proposal will not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). We have reviewed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment. This determination is based on the following findings and conclusions:

Upon review of the Environmental Assessment, including Appendix A – Best Management Practices and Environmental Conditions, and Appendix B – Revegetation Plan, along with the additional federal and state permitting requirements, we find that the proposed action will be implemented in such a manner that prevents probable adverse impacts to the environment.

Additionally, we recognize the purpose and need for the project are aimed at improving the long-term viability of the North Fork Tieton bull trout population, which are currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340 and the comment period begins on June 7, 2024 and will end on June 20, 2024.

mailto:Eheether@usbr.gov https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/clearcreek/index.html

Method to Comment: You can submit your comments any one of the following ways:

• Online at the Department of Ecology eComment link at:

https://ocb.ecology.commentinput.com?id=ZtbSfJkUx2

• Email: Kevin.Haydon@ecy.wa.gov

• Mail to the address below, attention Kevin Haydon.

Responsible Official:

G. Thomas Tebb, LG., LHG., LEG.

Director, Office of Columbia River Washington State Department of Ecology 1250 Alder Street Union Gap, WA 98903

(509) 574-3989

Signature Date 6/6/2024 https://ocb.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=ZtbSfJkUx2 mailto:Melissa.Downes@ecy.wa.gov