Birch Creek Floodplain Restoration Project (DOE/EA-2135/SA-1)

Umatilla County, Oregon

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has decided to provide funding for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to restore an about one-mile section of Birch Creek and associated floodplains in an about 37-acre area near the town of Rieth, in Umatilla County, Oregon, to enhance fish and wildlife habitat. The project focuses on aligning and restoring Birch Creek’s main channel, improving its secondary channel and floodplain interactions, creating wetlands, and planting riparian and upland vegetation. In addition, the project includes options for removing an existing irrigation pipe from the floodplain area by constructing a new groundwater well or building a new pipeline from an existing well.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

To understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, BPA prepared an environmental assessment (EA) following the procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EA considered the floodplain restoration project as well as a no-action alternative under which the proposed action would not occur. The EA describes anticipated impacts to natural and human resources and identifies the mitigation measures to help avoid or minimize impacts. BPA released the draft EA for public review and comment in February 2020, and received comments on the draft EA from 2 individuals.

CURRENT STATUS

BPA has released its final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI includes a Mitigation Action Plan to help avoid or lessen potential impacts. 

CONTACT

For environmental information, contact:
Jeff Maslow          
Environmental Protection Specialist        
Bonneville Power Administration – ECP-4
PO Box 3621 Portland, Oregon 97208-3621
Toll-free: 800-622-4519
Direct Line: 503-230-3928
Email: jjmaslow@bpa.gov 


For project information, contact:
Tim Ludington        
Fish and Wildlife Administrator        
Bonneville Power Administration – EWM-4  
PO Box 3621 Portland, Oregon 97208-3621
Toll-free:  800-622-4519
Direct Line: 503-230-4988
Email: tsludington@bpa.gov 

DOCUMENTS

SUPPLEMENT ANALYSES
SA-1 Access Road Improvements  (05/31/2023)

FINAL EA & FONSI
Final EA (October 2021)
FONSI & Mitigation Action Plan (October 2021)
Public Letter (October 14, 2021)

DRAFT
Draft EA comments received
Public Letter (August 6, 2020)
Comment Form (August 6, 2020)
Draft EA (August 2020)

SCOPING
Scoping Comments Received
Phone Comments
Public Letter (February 13, 2020)
Project Map (February 13, 2020)
Comment Form (February 13, 2020)