KENNEWICK, Wash. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District 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 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 dam-associated federal levees on the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland), Washington, area.
Ecosystem restoration would benefit four Endangered Species Act-listed fish—three salmonids plus bull trout—and their designated critical habitat. Shallow-water habitats are critical to foraging, resting and rearing of migrating juvenile fish. 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 alternatives are focused along the island’s outer edge as it faces the Columbia River.
The draft FONSI and FS/EA is available through the Corps’ Environmental Compliance website page at http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental-Compliance/. More information regarding the project can be found at: http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects/Clover-Island-Ecosystem-Restoration-Project/.
There are three methods for submitting 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, Walla Walla District
ATTN: PPL-C (Clover Island)
201 North 3rd Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362-1876.
The Corps previously invited public comments regarding the scope of the project Jan. 6 through Feb. 10, 2015. Corps participation in this project is authorized under Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986.
Questions about Clover Island Ecosystem Restoration should be directed to the Corps Project Manager at 509-527-7277.
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Release no. 17-071