Sacramento District
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is evaluating a permit application for the Millsite Reservoir Sluicing Project, which would result in increased sediment loading in Ferron Creek, a perennial water of the United States, downstream of the Millsite Reservoir spillway. This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activity and to solicit comments.
AUTHORITY: This application is being evaluated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters of the United States and by the State of Utah for Section 401 water quality certification.
APPLICANT: Tracy Behling, Ferron Canyon Canal & Irrigation Company, Post Office Box 256, Ferron, Utah 84523
LOCATION: The project site is located on Millsite Reservoir, approximately 3 miles west of the town of Ferron, in Section 11, Township 20 South, Range 6 East, Salt Lake Meridian, Latitude 39.0994°, Longitude -111.1976°, Emery County, Utah, and can be seen on the UT-FERRON USGS Topographic Quadrangle.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is proposing to dredge accumulated sediments, using suction dredging methods, and transport the material, by way of floating pipeline, to the uncontrolled peak-flow spillway. At this location the sediments would be re-introduced into the downstream portion of Ferron Creek. The sediment would be released through the spillway and into the channel only when the reservoir is overtopping the spillway, which occurs approximately 5 out of 7 years and lasts 6 weeks on average. During drier years when the reservoir does not overtop the spillway, the applicant proposes to store the dredged sediment adjacent to the reservoir. This activity may impact additional ephemeral streams at sites 1 and 5 or the reservoir itself if return water from the spoil piles reaches the reservoir or Ferron Creek. The suction dredging activity alone does not result in a discharge and is not regulated by the Corps. However, it is the discharge of the material downstream and into waters adjacent to the reservoir that requires a Department of the Army authorization.
Each year an estimated 180,000 cubic yards of sediment is deposited in Millsite Reservoir, causing the flow that leaves the reservoir to be nearly sediment-free. The project is designed to mimic the historic natural function of Ferron Creek and restore the stream to a more natural turbidity regime, while maintaining the capacity of the reservoir. Turbidity meters would be utilized to measure sediment loads upstream and downstream of the reservoir and would ensure the outflow of sediments did not exceed the inflow. If excessive channel deposition were observed downstream, the applicant proposed to cease operations.
Based on the available information, the overall project purpose is to maintain the current reservoir storage capacity and to restore the stream habitat to a more natural condition. The project does not propose to restore the original capacity of the reservoir. The applicant believes there is a need to allow sediment in Ferron Creek to pass through the reservoir, which will increase levels of turbidity and help improve native fish habitat. Further information and project details can be found on Attachment 1.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting. Millsite Reservoir is located on the main channel of Ferron Creek. At the project location, the watershed of Ferron Creek is approximately 153 square miles in size. Flow is measured to be between approximately 300 to 550 cubic feet per second (CFS) immediately upstream of the reservoir. Based on available information, the Ferron watershed is comprised of predominantly US Forest Service, US Bureau of Land Management and State managed lands, with residential and agricultural development located downstream of the dam and around the City of Ferron. The reservoir is used principally for irrigation water storage, municipal-industrial water supply, and recreational activities.
The Corps has not verified a delineation of waters of the United States for the project site. However, based on available information, approximately 458.8 acres of waters of the United States are located within the ordinary high water mark of the Millsite Reservoir. Fremont cottonwood, coyote willow, tamarisk, and Russian olive trees and shrubs surround the reservoir on or near the OWHM. Riparian vegetation also occurs along Ferron Creek downstream of the dam and in a channel off the existing spillway.
Since its construction in early 1970’s, Millsite Reservoir has lost an estimated 2,600 acre-feet of the original 18,000 acre-feet capacity due to sedimentation. According to the applicant, most of this sediment can be found in the active storage zone of the reservoir, not in the lowest part of the reservoir. Ferron Creek is a perennial stream that drains into the San Rafael River, which flows into the Green River, eventually flowing into the Colorado River. Four federally listed fish species occur where the flows from the project site enter the Colorado River, approximately 200 river miles downstream. Ferron Creek and Millsite Reservoir are used for recreational activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, tubing and fishing.
Alternatives. The applicant has not provided information concerning project alternatives. Additional information concerning project alternatives may be available from the applicant or their agent. Other alternatives may develop during the review process for this permit application. All reasonable project alternatives- in particular, those which may be less damaging to the aquatic environment, will be considered.
Mitigation. The Corps requires that applicants consider and use all reasonable and practical measures to avoid and minimize impacts to aquatic resources. If the applicant is unable to avoid or minimize all impacts, the Corps may require compensatory mitigation. The applicant believes the proposed project will result in a net increase in functions to the downstream habitat by replacing natural turbidity levels that were lost from construction of the dam. Therefore, no compensatory mitigation has been proposed.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: A 401 Water Quality Certification from the Utah Division of Water Quality is required for Corps issuance of a standard individual permit for the proposed project. This requirement comes from the authority of Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act, (33 U.S.C. Subsection 1341) and is consistent with the Utah Water Quality Act, Title 19, Chapter 5, Utah Code Ann. 1953, as amended and Utah Administrative Code R317-15. A person who wishes to challenge a Permit Order may only raise an issue or argument during an adjudicatory proceeding that was raised during the public comment period and was supported with sufficient information or documentation to enable the Director to fully consider the substance and significance of the issue. Utah Code Ann. 19-1-301.5 can be viewed at the following URL:http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE19/htm/19_01_030105.htm. Any comments specific to 401 Water Quality Certification relative to this public notice should be submitted to Mr. Bill Damery, Utah Division of Water Quality, P.O. Box 144870, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4870, or wdamery@utah.gov by July 16, 2014.
HISTORIC PROPERTIES: The Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as appropriate.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: The Corps will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate.
ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: The proposed project will not adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) as defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
The above determinations are based on information provided by the applicant and our preliminary review.
EVALUATION FACTORS: The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the described activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the described activity, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the described activity will be considered, including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people. The activity's impact on the public interest will include application of the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 230).
The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, Federal, State, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments referencing Public Notice SPK-2013-00240 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before July 16, 2014.
Michael Pectol, Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers, Utah Regulatory Office
533 West 2600 South, Suite 150
Bountiful, Utah 84010
Email: Michael.A.Pectol@usace.army.mil
The Corps is particularly interested in receiving comments related to the proposal's probable impacts on the affected aquatic environment and the secondary and cumulative effects. Anyone may request, in writing, that a public hearing be held to consider this application. Requests shall specifically state, with particularity, the reason(s) for holding a public hearing. If the Corps determines that the information received in response to this notice is inadequate for thorough evaluation, a public hearing may be warranted. If a public hearing is warranted, interested parties will be notified of the time, date, and location. Please note that all comment letters received are subject to release to the public through the Freedom of Information Act. If you have questions or need additional information please contact the applicant or the Corps' project manager Michael Pectol, 801-295-8380 x15, Michael.A.Pectol@usace.army.mil.
Attachments:
Attachment 1- Proposed Project Details
Attachment 2- 4 drawings