DENVER – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) regarding the Utah Department of Natural Resources (UDNR) proposed “Brigham Face Wildlife Management Area Evans and Mathias Canyons Debris-Retention Basins Project.” UDNR acquired the Brigham Face Wildlife Management Area (WMA) with Federal grant funds through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (PR) grant program. PR regulations stipulate that the Service must approve any encumbrance of PR acquired property. The Service’s decision to approve the project proposal constitutes a Federal action subject to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). This Draft EA has been prepared to comply with NEPA provisions to assess potential impact on the human environment. Public comments will be accepted for a 30-day period ending February 8, 2020.
UDNR proposes to allow the Box Elder County/Perry Flood Control Special District (Flood District) to construct debris-retention basins at the mouth of Mathias and Evans Canyons on property within the Brigham Face WMA. The basins are needed to protect public safety, public infrastructure, and existing and future development from the risk of a large, potentially catastrophic debris flow or flood occurrence which could follow a wildfire or a major storm event. The Proposed Action would not negatively impact wildlife or cultural resources and will allow the Flood District to make important safety improvements to the debris-retention basins. The Draft EA documents an analysis of the effects of the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternatives.
A copy of the Draft EA, which includes details and consideration of the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative, is available online. Those without internet access may request copies by calling the Services’ Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program at 303-236-4414. Comments will be accepted until February 8, 2020 and should be sent to: Chief, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver, CO, 80225.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen in the West, visit our website, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and Instagram.
