Summary of Expected Impacts

The EIS will be prepared as required by section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

Resource concerns for scoping were identified and categorized as relevant or not relevant to the Remedial Project. MFID, NRCS, and the Forest Service evaluated the existing irrigation infrastructure, bull trout life history modeling, water temperature requirements, current recreation, baseline conditions of locations for removal of material needed for remediation and road realignment, along with relevant resource concerns for each proposed solution.

Environmental resources in the project area consist of the natural and human-made environment. Some of the major resource concerns to be identified and addressed in the Plan-EIS include: endangered species, water quality, water quantity, and recreation. Aquatic species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) may be affected by the alternatives for the Remedial Project. The Middle Fork Hood River sub-basin supports bull trout, and the Middle and East Forks of the Hood River support spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead trout, which are all listed as threatened under the ESA. The reservoir behind Clear Branch Dam (Laurance Lake) is designated as critical habitat for bull trout and the locations below the reservoir in Coe Creek and Eliot Branch are designated as critical habitat for bull trout, spring Chinook salmon, and winter steelhead trout. The Middle and East Forks of the Hood River also support cutthroat trout, which is listed as a Forest Service sensitive species. Critical habitat for the northern spotted owl, which is listed as threatened under the ESA, is mapped near the confluences of Clear Branch, Pinnacle Creek, Coe Branch, Eliot Branch, and Dog River. Critical habitat for the northern spotted owl may be affected by the alternatives from the Remedial Project. For safety purposes, the area would likely be closed to the public for several years during project implementation; therefore, recreation use may be affected.