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Notice Of Availability And Notice Of Public Hearings For The Operation Of Flaming Gorge Dam Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Media Contact: Peter Crookston, 801-379-1152, pcrookston@uc.usbr.gov
Don Merrill, 801-379-1074, dmerrill@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: September 07, 2004

Area Manager Bruce Barrett announced today the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam.

The draft document describes the environmental impacts of modifying the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam to assist in the recovery of four endangered fish, and their critical habitat, downstream from the dam. The purpose of the proposed federal action is to operate Flaming Gorge Dam to protect and assist in recovery of the populations and designated critical habitat of four endangered fishes, while maintaining all authorized purposes of the Flaming Gorge Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP), particularly those related to the development of water resources in accordance with the Colorado River Compact. The DEIS was prepared with the cooperation of eight state and Federal agencies.

The Notice of Availability (NOA), starting the clock on the public comment period, has been filed with the Federal Register, and will be published on Friday, September 10 th. The NOA can be found at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. At that time, the DEIS will open for a 60-day public review period. Comments will be accepted until November 15, 2004 , at the Reclamation address given below. Public hearings will be held during the month of October in Utah and Wyoming. The public hearings schedule is as follows, with all hearings beginning at 6 p.m.

  • October 12, 2004 - Ramada Inn, 182 S. Main St., Moab UT

  • October 13, 2004 - Marriott Hotel, 75 S. West Temple , Salt Lake City UT

  • October 19, 2004 - Holiday Inn, 1675 Sunset Drive, Rock Springs WY

  • October 20, 2004 - Dutch John Conference Hall, South Blvd , Dutch John UT

  • October 21, 2004 - Western Park Convention Center , 300 E. 200 S., Vernal UT

Oral comments at the hearing will be limited to five minutes. Written comments from those unable to attend or those wishing to supplement their oral presentations at the hearing should be addressed to Peter Crookston, Bureau of Reclamation, Provo Area Office, 302 East, 1860 South, Provo, Utah 84606. His telephone number is (801) 379-1152, and his email address is fgeis@uc.usbr.gov. Written and oral comments, received by the due date, are given equal consideration. The document is also available at http://www.usbr.gov/uc/library/envdocs/eis/fgDEIS/index.html. If requesting copies of the DEIS, please contact Mr. Crookston.

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Relevant Link:

Operation Of Flaming Gorge Dam Draft Environmental Impact Statement