Phase 2 Implementation Plan (P2IP) (DOE/EA-2250)

Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Stevens counties, Washington

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

On September 21, 2023, the Bonneville Power Administration, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the US Army Corps of Engineers (co-lead agencies) entered into an agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians to fund implementation of the Phase 2 Implementation Plan (P2IP) projects for reintroducing specific non-Federally protected salmonid stocks above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams in the Upper Columbia River Basin. Under the agreement, Bonneville proposed to provide $200 million over 20 years to advance the Tribally-led P2IP effort. Phase 2 builds on Upper Columbia United Tribes’ Phase 1 planning and investigation of the feasibility of fish passage and reintroduction into blocked areas. Following this phased approach, a future phase may include construction of permanent fish passage facilities and habitat improvements.  

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:

To understand the potential environmental impacts of this proposal, the co-lead agencies prepared an environmental assessment (EA) following the procedures of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EA considered the P2IP proposal, as well as a no-action alternative in which the co-lead agencies would not implement the P2IP. The EA described anticipated impacts on natural and human resources and identified mitigation measures to help avoid or minimize impacts. The draft EA was released for public review and comment in November 2024; comments were received on the draft EA from 12 entities. The co-lead agencies prepared a final EA that provides responses to comments received and includes minor revisions to that analysis. Based on the EA analysis and mitigation measures to help lessen impacts, Bonneville found that the proposed action would not cause any significant impacts and issued a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) on May 7, 2025.

The schedule for the environmental review was as follows:

Scoping comment period – February 9, 2024 - March 11, 2024

Public scoping meetings – February 27, 2024 (Grand Coulee, WA) and February 28, 2024 (Spokane, WA)

EA determination – February 6, 2024

Draft EA available for public - November 14 - December 13, 2024

Final EA – April 2025

Finding of No Significant Impact – May 7, 2025

If decision to build, construction start – Summer 2025

CURRENT STATUS:

BPA and the co-lead agencies have 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 more information, please visit the project website at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/p2ip/index.html

You may also contact by mail, email, or telephone:
Bonneville's Public Information Center
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, Oregon 97208-3621

email: nepaprocessing@bpa.gov 
phone: 1-800-622-4519

DOCUMENTS:

FINAL EA & FONSI:
Final EA  April 2025
FONSI & Mitigation Action Plan May 7, 2025

DRAFT:
Draft PEA November 14, 2024
Public Letter November 14, 2024

SCOPING:
Public Letter: February 9, 2024

EA Determination:
Determination: February 6, 2024