Jay Kinsman, Acting Cle Elum District Ranger of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, has prepared an environmental assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the Gold Creek Valley Restoration Project. The Gold Creek Valley Restoration Project Final EA assessed the effects of proposed activities to implement bull trout recovery actions within the project area and is a collaborative effort of the Forest Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Yakama Nation. Specifically, the project includes: (1) Gold Creek Instream Channel Restoration- installing engineered logjams, channel narrowing, constructing inset floodplains and side channels, and plantings. (2) Gold Creek Pond Restoration- filling portions of the former gravel pit to restore wetlands and reconnect water the pond currently diverts to Gold Creek and replacing recreational amenities. (3) Heli’s Pond Restoration- partially filling the former gravel pit to restore groundwater gradient, (4) Keechelus Lake Access Modifications- installing gates and other barriers, closing the boat launch when reservoir levels drop to 2,480 feet, and prohibiting vehicles traveling on the reservoir bed. (5) Motorized Cross-Country Travel Closure- prohibiting motorized travel off those National Forest System roads designated for motorized use. Project implementation is expected to take 5 to 7 years but may take up to 10. During implementation, activity areas will be closed to the public for safety; however the proposed action has been modified to include the option to reopen FS Road 4832-142 and the area around Gold Creek Pond, in whole or in part, when public safety can still be provided for. Reopening would be considered when the following three conditions are met: (1) between implementation phases or seasons when there is no active construction contract or when the construction area is sufficiently limited in size, (2) when implementing partners and Cle Elum District Staff have sufficient time to identify recreation use patterns relative to work areas, and (3) when closures could be reinstated in advance of a new construction phase or season, construction area expansion, or any other condition when public safety could be compromised. The Project is located approximately 2 miles southeast of Snoqualmie Pass in Kittitas County, Washington within the Gold Creek Valley and encompassing Keechelus Lake, USFS Road 9070-219 accessing the Keechelus boat launch, portions of Gold Creek, Gold Creek Pond, and Heli’s Pond (Township 22 North, Range 11 East, Sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 14, 15, 22, 23, 26, 27, 34, 35; Township 21 North, Range 11 East, Sections 1, 2, 11-13; and Township 21 North, Range 12 East, Section 10, Willamette Meridian). Proposed activities are located on National Forest System, land trust, and private lands. Activities on private land were developed, and would be implemented, with landowner permission. The EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/okawen/?project=57415 These documents are also available for review at the Cle Elum Ranger District Office. Additional information can be obtained from Patty Garvey-Darda, Project Lead, by mail at 803 W 2nd St, Cle Elum, WA 98922; by email at SM.FS.cmtcleelum@usda.gov; or by phone at 509-852-1029. How to file an Objection and Timeframe The Gold Creek Valley Restoration Project is subject to the Forest Service’s Pre-decisional Review (Objection) Process outlined in 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities. Objections, including attachments, must be filed in one of the following ways: (1) via mail, express delivery, or messenger service ATTN: Gold Creek Valley Restoration Project Objection Reviewing Officer, Acting Forest Supervisor Tara Umphries, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801; (2) hand-delivery to the address above during regular business hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding holidays; or (3) online by going to the project’s website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/okawen/?project=57415) and clicking on “Comment/Object on Project” link on the right sidebar. Attachments to electronic comments submitted online must be in Microsoft Word, rich text format (rtf) or Adobe Portable Document format (pdf). Objections must be filed within 45 calendar days following the publication of legal notice in the Daily Record. The publication date in the Daily Record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. Regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection. At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)): 1) The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available; 2) a signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection); 3) when multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request); 4) the name of the proposed project, the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the name of the National Forest and Ranger District on which the proposed project will be implemented; 5) a description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and 6) a statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment. Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Patricia GarveyDarda
