The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Port of Kennewick (Port) are partnering on an ecosystem restoration along the Columbia River at Clover Island (River Mile 329), located in Kennewick, Wash.
The purpose of this project is to improve aquatic and riparian habitat that is important to four salmonid species listed under the Endangered Species Act (upper Columbia River spring-run chinook salmon, upper Columbia River steelhead, middle Columbia River steelhead, and bull trout). Construction of McNary Lock and Dam (including dam-associated federal levees) filled natural shallow-water habitat along the shoreline of Clover Island and removed riparian vegetation. Shallow-water habitats are critical to foraging, resting and rearing of migrating juvenile salmonids. Riparian vegetation attracts food sources (insects) for juvenile salmon, and provides shade that cools water temperatures along the shoreline where juvenile salmon rest and feed as they migrate to the ocean. Restoration will be focused along the island’s outer edge as it faces the Columbia River (see dotted line in above graphic).
Links to more information about this ecosystem restoration project are at the right-hand side of this page.
Draft FONSI and Feasibility Study/Environmental Assessment
The Corps invites public comments on a draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Feasibility Study/Environmental Assessment (FS/EA) for the Clover Island Ecosystem Restoration Project. Comments on are due to the Corps no later than Thursday, July 6, 2017.
The Corps previously invited public comments regarding the scope of the project Jan. 6 through Feb. 10, 2015.
The Corps proposes to partner with the Port of Kennewick to improve and restore riparian and shallow water habitat along the perimeter of Clover Island on the Columbia River in the city of Kennewick, Wash. Clover Island was previously impacted by construction of McNary Lock and Dam and and dam-associated federal levees on the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland) area.
There are three methods for submitting public comments. The Corps is inviting electronic comments directly online at: http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/EnvironmentalComplianceComment/ or via email to NEPANWW@usace.army.mil, inserting “Clover Island” in the subject line. U.S. Mail comments should be postmarked by the deadline to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: PPL-C (Clover Island)
201 N. 3rd Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
National Environmental Policy Act Compliance
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), is a law requiring federal agencies to objectively evaluate a range of alternatives for any potential federal action. Alternatives must include a “No Action Alternative,” which addresses the consequences of completing no federal action at the location. The NEPA process requires the agency to consider the environmental and social impacts of alternatives so that informed decisions are made with knowledge of potential environmental consequences.
Authority
This project was initiated under the Section 1135 authority of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, which allows the Corps to work with non-federal sponsors to restore degraded ecosystems where projects built by the Corps and other federal agencies have contributed to the degradation of the quality of the environment.
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