Axtell Environmental Assessment, Water System Improvement Project, Utah

The Region 6 Office of Conservation Investment (CI) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the Willow Creek Irrigation Company’s proposed easement on Utah Department of Wildlife Resources’ (UDWR) Twelve Mile Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Sanpete County, Utah. Funding for the project administered by the CI Program constitutes a Federal action subject to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended.  

The Twelve Mile WMA is located approximately 9-miles east of Axtell and provides quality winter range habitat for elk and mule deer. Additionally, the WMA offers recreational activities for the public including hunting, wildlife watching, hiking, horseback riding, and OHV riding. Region 6 CI has received UDWR’s notice proposing Willow Creek Irrigation Company’s development of Pole Canyon Springs and installation of a water transmission pipeline to supply Axtell. 

The Twelve Mile WMA property was acquired between 1924 and 1978 by UDWR, in part, with CI grant program funds for wildlife habitat. The proposed easement will not result in cumulative loss of wildlife resources or public hunting on the property.

The Draft EA prepared by the Service, UDWR, and Sunrise Engineering, Inc. analyzes the environmental effects of the easement and provides an opportunity for all interested stakeholders to review and comment on the proposed action. In the Draft EA, the Service concluded that the proposed easement would not have impacts to wetlands, floodplains, or farmland, would not affect historical and cultural resources, would not have any effect on threatened, endangered or candidate species, and would not have any effect on the vegetation in the area or on local fish and wildlife or their habitats.  

Public comments will be accepted for a 30-day period which ends March 30, 2025. Copies of the Draft EA and Appendices, which include details of the proposed action and the alternatives considered, are available online by clicking on the title of the document at https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/mountain-prairie-region-office-…. Those without internet access may request copies by calling the Services’ Office of Conservation Investment Program at (720) 654-6390. Comments will be accepted until March 30, 2025, and can be sent by email to: Jay Ogawa at jay_ogawa@fws.gov or via mail to: Office of Conservation Investment, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado, 80225.