MITIGATED DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE
Crescent Bar Recreation Area: Grant PUD is required
by its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Operating
License for the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project (Project) to
plan for and construct public recreational facilities throughout
the Wanapum and Priest Rapids Reservoirs.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL: Crescent Bar Recreation Area: Grant PUD is required
by its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Operating License for the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project (Project) to plan for and construct public recreational facilities throughout the Wanapum and Priest Rapids Reservoirs. The primary purpose of the Crescent Bar Recreation Area off-island project (project) is to provide safe public access to Project lands and waters for the purpose of recreation, in compliance with the FERC license requirements. Recreation objectives for this area include increasing the operability of motorized boater facilities for the full range of the Wanapum Reservoir elevations; increasing the usability and safety of swimming facilities; providing family-oriented day use opportunities including water access, sunbathing, picnicking, trails, restrooms, and interpretive amenities and opportunities.
This project includes proposed improvements that will occur on the mainland, north of the bridge at Crescent Bar. The entire project will take place on Grant PUD – owned land that is located in Grant County, WA, approximately 10 miles west of the City of Quincy on the east bank of the Columbia River at River Mile 441, 47.13’ .869N Latitude, 119.59’47.633W Longitude. Project lands are all located in Sections 18 and 19 of Township 20N, Range 23E, WM. The area is accessed from State Route 28, via Crescent Bar Road at Trinidad.
As proposed, the project includes new trails and small pocket beaches for shoreline access and recreation; conversion of the existing RV park to a day use park; implementation of a shoreline stabilization feature to reduce erosion; reconfiguration of the existing swim beach area to increase the safety and separation of swimmers and boats; removal, reconstruction and expansion of an existing boat launch, moorage facilities, boarding floats and fuel float to address safety, environmental impacts and ADA access requirements; and dredging of the existing navigational channel and boat basin to increase availability and access to the Wanapum Reservoir.
Related to these activities, several areas of both habitat mitigation (required by Federal and State/Local agencies) and voluntary habitat restoration and enhancement to further Grant PUD’s stewardship of the natural environment will occur over a significant portion of the project site. Generally, mitigation actions include removal of an existing, privately-owned rock fill and overwater structure; removal of non-native vegetation such as Himalayan blackberry, lawns, pasture and hazardous trees; use of the large woody debris from the removed trees to improve fish habitat; and planting of significant areas of native riparian and upland habitat mitigation, restoration and enhancement areas, including the planting of large trees to replace those that are removed for safety reasons.
The proposed project can be segmented into three development areas encompassing a total of approximately 33 acres of uplands: the North Shoreline Trail area, the Central Day Use area, and the South Boat Basin area.
PROPONENT: Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, Washington
LOCATION OF PROPOSAL, INCLUDING STREET ADDRESS, IF ANY:
This project is located immediately north of Crescent Bar Island, between the City of Quincy and the City of East Wenatchee, Washington. The site can be accessed from State Highway 28, near Milepost 22. From Highway 28, turn south onto Crescent Bar Road and follow Crescent Bar Road down to the river, the proposed work will take place along the mainland shoreline between the area south of Trinidad Creek extending to the south end of the existing boat basin.
LEAD AGENCY: Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, Washington
The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030 (2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request.
o There is no comment period for this DNS.
o This DNS is issued after using the optional DNS process in WAC 197-11-355. There is no further comment period on the DNS.
6 This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2); the lead agency will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the date below. Comments must be submitted by November 16, 2010 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
Responsible official: J. Darrell Pock
Position/title: Project Specialist III
Phone: (509)754-5098
Address: P.O. Box 878
30 C St. SW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Date: Oct. 29, 2010 Signature: /s/J. Darrell Pock
J. Darrell Pock, Project Specialist III
6 There is no agency appeal.
#11032/1268789
Pub.: November 3 & 10, 2010