SEPA RULES
RCW 197-11-970
DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL: Burkett Lake Nursery and Irrigation System Installation
Article 409 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license requires Grant PUD to implement a Wildlife Habitat Management Plan. In the WHMP plan, Grant PUD proposes to construct a small native plant nursery at Burkett Lake and the necessary irrigation system to provide water to the nursery and occasionally water for the back 12 acres which will be cleared and reseeded in the future. The foot print of the nursery will be approximately 0.05 acres. An up to 30" deep and up to 15" wide 650' long trench will be dug to accommodate the irrigation pipe. Excavated dirt will be placed back into the trench to cover the pipe. A small (5 horsepower) pump will be placed in the lake approximately 80 feet out into the lake to provide water for the irrigation system. A boat will most likely be used to assist in extending the pipe and pump housing out into the lake. In addition, a gravel path will be constructed from the existing road down to the nursery (approximately 400' long and 8' wide).
Two pump configurations are being considered:
Option 1: A submersible well style pump, installed in a pipe housing extending out into the lake. Pipe housing shall be securely anchored to the lake bottom using concrete anchors and stainless steel straps. Shore side shall be easily accessible for maintenance and pump removal without the need to enter the water. Pump removal is expected to occur every fall, and the removal mechanism shall be of simple configuration to facilitate annual removal and replacement. Piping will be assembled on site and placed into location by hand (possibly with the assistance of a boat if the water is too deep).
Option 2: A vertical multistage centrifugal or end suction centrifugal pump installed on
the shoreline. A concrete pad will be poured off site and brought in and placed into position to serve as a base for the pump. The pad will be placed on top of a minimum of 6-inches of crushed rock. The pump will be placed on top of and anchored to the pad. Piping will be assembled on site and placed into location by hand (possibly with the assistance of a boat if the water is too deep). The intake pipe shall be securely anchored to the lake bottom using concrete anchors and stainless steel straps.
Both options will consist of piping extending from the shoreline approximately 80 feet into the lake.
An up to 30" deep and up to 15" wide and 650' long trench will be dug (by hand or using a trencher) to accommodate the irrigation pipe. This trench will be above the OHWM of Burkett Lake. Excavated material will be placed back into the trench to cover the pipe.
A native plant nursery (approximately 0.05 acres) will be constructed near the SW border of the lake. The nursery will contain approximately 8 different propagation beds bordered by wooden timbers. A gravel road will be installed above the OHWM to provide access to the nursery from the existing gravel road on site. Irrigation of the nursery will be below-grade schedule 40 PVC laterals of appropriate size connected to 12-inch pop-up spray heads providing head-to-head coverage of all planted areas. The construction of the nursery will be primarily done by hand, although a backhoe may be used where necessary such as putting in the gravel road.
PROPONENT: Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, Washington
LOCATION OF PROPOSAL, INCLUDING STREET ADDRESS, IF ANY:
Burkett Lake Property is located on Burkett Lake, just south of Lower Crab Creek Road, approximately 1 mile east of State Highway 243. Grant County, Washington in the NE 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 35, Township 16 North, Range 23 EW, M (46.82929N / 119.911995W).
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 December 21, 2011 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: November 23, 2011 Signature: J. Darrell Pock__________________
J. Darrell Pock, Project Specialist III
6 There is no agency appeal.
#12017/2056399
Pub.: November 30 & December 7, 2011