Note: This federal process started last year as an Environmental Assessment and has since been elevated to an Environmental Impact Statement.

DRAFT EIS RELEASED (March 2014)

• Public Notice
• Complete Draft EIS with Appendices. 

PRESS

• Read the story by Brian Maffly in the Salt Lake Tribune

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Natural Resources and Conservation Service and Utah Division of Agriculture and Food are analyzing alternatives to rehabilitate damage to the Green River diversion dam from the late 2010 and early 2011 flood events. The diversion dam was constructed in the early 1900s and has been modified over the years to maintain the dam. During the 2010/2011 flood events, flows in the Green River caused severe damage to the diversion dam compromising its structural integrity. If the dam fails, water supply to two irrigation canals, a historic irrigation water wheel delivery system, and one hydropower plant would be eliminated.

As part of dam rehabilitation, the Upper Colorado Endangered Fish Recovery Program (Recovery Program) is proposing to fund and install a fish barrier on the west irrigation and hydropower plant canal to prevent Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed fish species from entering the canal and/or hydropower plant. As part of the dam rehabilitation, upstream and downstream fish passage may also be incorporated into the design. These fish protection and passage components are proposed for inclusion in the Green River diversion dam rehabilitation project to help reduce fish mortality and increase ESA listed fish species populations in the Green River.

Currently, the project is analyzing the following design elements listed in order of priority:

    1. Rehabilitate Dam to Protect Irrigation and Hydropower Water Rights
    2. ESA Listed Fish Species Barrier into the Powerhouse and Irrigation Canals
    3. Upstream and Downstream ESA Listed Fish Species Passage over the Dam
    4. Downstream Boat Passage past the Dam (may include an in-stream channel and/or upland portage around the dam)

DRAFT EIS SCOPING

Draft EIS Public Comment Period
Open: Friday, March 14, 2014
Close: Wednesday, April 30, 2014
 
Draft EIS Public Meeting
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (MST)
Place: John Wesley Powell River History Museum
1765 East Main Street, Green River, UT

• Public Notice
• Draft EIS and Appendices
  

SEND COMMENTS TO:

• Official NRCS web page for Tusher Wash Dam Rehabilitation EIS of 2013
• Schedule for the EIS Process

Document archive for the initial phase of the Enviromental Assessment period in 2012

• Final Green River EA Scoping Notice 30 Oct 2012
• Green River Scoping Project Description
• Scoping Public Meeting Presentation
• Scoping Report
• Suppemental Comments from Living Rivers
  

Additional Information

• 2009 - NRCS Salinity Control Environmental Assessment
• 2006 - Hydrology, Water Quality of Green River Agricultural Areas in Emery & Grand Counties. USGS.