letter from eric wedemeyer dated november 29, 1999 · comments on the trinity river mainstem...

COMMENTS ON THE TRINITY RIVER MAINSTEM FISHERY RESTORATION DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

RDD/TRINITY1453-1529.DOC D3-597

Letter from Eric Wedemeyer Dated November 29, 1999

1453-1 The proposed channel modifications identified in a number of theevaluated alternatives are intended to remove large vegetation andchannel berms that would not be expected to be mobilized by theprescribed flow increases. Subsequent flooding events would beconsidered beneficial.

1453-2 The 50,000 af was reserved for “Humboldt County and otherdownstream users” in the 1955 Trinity River Act (P.L. 84-386) as ameans of assuring that development within the Area of Originwould not be adversely impacted by the diversion of water out ofthe basin by the TRD. Similar language was put as a condition oneach of Reclamation’s seven Trinity River water permits by the StateWater Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) predecessor (the StateWater Rights Board) in 1959. Reclamation and Humboldt Countyalso signed a contract for the 50,000 af in 1959. The SWRCB issued awater permit to the Weaverville Community Services District forWater Right Application 29410 for up to 870 af/year (2.9 cfs),contingent upon equivalent releases of water from Lewiston Dampursuant to Section 10505 of the Water Code.

Thus, the 50,000 af has been reserved for in-basin use by an Act ofCongress and an administrative action by the State of California, notby unilateral administrative fiat as suggested by the commentor.However, there is disagreement between the lead agencies as toprocedures and disposition for use of the 50,000 af. Trinity andHumboldt Counties continue to maintain that Reclamation shouldrelease the 50,000 af in addition to instream flow releases for thefishery. Reclamation maintains that the 50,000 af need not bereleased until an unmet downstream consumptive need is identifiedthat cannot be met with fishery flows and tributary accretion.

1453-1

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RDD/TRINITY1453-1529.DOC

Letter from Letter from Eric Wedemeyer continued

1453-2cont’d

Because it is unlikely that unmet consumptive needs amounting to50,000 af will materialize in the basin for a long period, HumboldtCounty has expressed an interest in a California Water Code Section1707 temporary water transfer to an instream recreational use,white-water boating, until such time as consumptive uses exist thatwould use the entire 50,000 af. However, no official petition has beenmade for a Section 1707 temporary water transfer, and any suchpetition would be subject to due process through the SWRCB’swater permitting process. Therefore, the final disposition of the50,000 af is in doubt, and to date, the Department of the Interior hasnot made any commitments which would make Area of Originhuman consumption a priority over out of basin needs.

1453-3 The DEIS/EIR identifies the anticipated impacts associated witheach of the evaluated alternatives. The modeling of water export,distribution, and use is based on current and projected operations ofthe CVP. The issue of Area of Origin in this regard is beyond thescope of the document.

1453-3cont’d

D3-598



Letter from Gregory T. Mellon, D.D.S., Dated November 29, 1999

1454-1 Thank you for your comment. Your comment has been noted. Noresponse is required.

1454-1



Letter from Ann Ellinger Dated December 2, 1999

1455-1 Please see thematic responses titled “Fisheries.”

1455-1



Letter from Fran Cranor Dated December 2, 1999

Duplicate of Letter 1455. Please see Letter 1455 and associatedresponses.



Letter from Daniel A. McDaniel Dated November 29, 1999

1457-1 Thank you for your comment. Please see thematic responses titled“Fisheries.”

1457-2 Comment noted. Hard copies of the document were sent to allinterested parties who submitted requests prior to the publishing ofthe document.

In addition, due to the increased use of computers in society, it hasbecome more common for agencies to make documents availableelectronically. This was the approach taken for the Trinity RiverDEIS/EIR. The document and all appendices could be viewed on theInternet, or could be ordered free of charge on CD-ROM and viewedwith the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. This focus onelectronic availability of the Trinity River DEIS/EIR appeared to bethe best option because of the expected demand for the documentand the associated printing and mailing costs. However, thecomment is noted that a need or desire to review a hardcopy of anenvironmental document, coupled with high costs, may inhibitpublic input and participation.

1457-1

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Letter from Daniel A. McDaniel continued



Letter from Jeremy Lansford

1458-1 Thank you for your comment. Your comment has been noted. Noresponse is required.

1458-1



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letter from eric wedemeyer dated november 29, 1999 · comments on the trinity river mainstem...

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