Supplement Analysis For The Watershed Management Program Eis Doe Eis 0265 Sa 70 Yakima Basin Side Channels Project Scatter Creek Plum Creek Land Acquisition Phase I

Download or read book Supplement Analysis for the Watershed Management Program EIS (DOE/EIS-0265/SA-70) - Yakima Basin Side Channels Project, Scatter Creek/Plum Creek Land Acquisition Phase I. written by and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 4 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bonneville Power Administration proposes to purchase 4 privately owned parcels totaling approximately 61 acres in the Yakima River Basin in Kittitas County, Washington as part of the Yakima River Side Channels Project. BPA proposes to purchase 4 privately owned parcels totaling approximately 61 acres in the Yakima River Basin in Kittitas County, Washington as part of the Yakima River Side Channels Project. Title to the land will be transferred to the United States Government, Bonneville Power Administration for fish and wildlife habitat protection and enhancement. The goal of this project is to contribute toward the rebuilding of Yakima Basin spring chinook salmon and steelhead populations by improving survival during their first year of life. This will be accomplished by protecting and restoring off-channel rearing habitats associated with the mainstem of the Yakima River. Historically, these habitats have been severely degraded through the construction of transportation corridors, irrigation developments, and diking activities. The subject parcels are located near the Cle Elum reach of the Yakima River which contains a variety of aquatic and riparian habitats that support native fish, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as waterfowl. Conservation of these parcels will contribute to the rebuilding of steelhead and chinook salmon runs in the Yakima River system. These lands are located in a portion of the watershed where a large percentage of the basin's spring chinook salmon spawn. Upon hatching, young salmon fry move into the shallow areas along the river margins to begin their early growth. These parcels contain numerous shallow backwater channels and wetlands that are protected by a thick over-story of native trees and brush. These features are important for the development of the young fish during their first year of life. This project proposes to preserve these 61 acres in their natural condition, which will ensure that this critical fish rearing habitat is maintained in the future. Approximately 400 acres were included in the overall Scatter Creek/Plum Creek land acquisition proposal. This Supplement Analysis covers only the acquisition of the subject 61 acres. BPA is proposing to acquire the remaining property on a staggered schedule over the next two to three years. Additional land acquisition actions will require separate NEPA documentation. All required environmental and cultural resource surveys referenced in this Supplement Analysis were conducted on the total 400 acre area.