News Release Archive

Draft EA/FONSI Available for the Construction of a Check Dam on Hilton Creek to Improve Fish Passage

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: November 06, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Hilton Creek Check Dam Project. Hilton Creek is located in Santa Barbara County just below Bradbury Dam which forms Lake Cachuma.

The project involves constructing a check dam, a small dam designed to slow the flow of water, in a channel at a 7-foot long cascade chute in Hilton Creek to improve the passage of steelhead trout to better spawning habitat. The check dam would also elevate the existing pool to provide a shorter jump distance for fish. A crane would be used to place rocks on the downstream side of the check dam to protect it and enhance fish passage over it. The timing for the project would coincide with low flows in Hilton Creek and when steelhead trout are not migrating to spawning areas.

The Draft EA and FONSI are available for a 30-day public review. Comments are due to Ms. Lynne Silva by close of business Thursday, December 7, 2006. The documents are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=2395. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or e-mail lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

For more information and to request a copy of the draft documents, please contact Ms. Silva at 559-487-5807 or e-mail lsilva@mp.usbr.gov.

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Relevant Link:

The Draft EA and FONSI are Available for a 30-Day Public Review