The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the City of Fulton, Ill., and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, invites the public to review and comment on a draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction of transient boating facilities on the Mississippi River in Fulton, Ill.
The draft Supplemental EA evaluates additional development activities at the marina including renovation and reconfiguration of dock structures, dredging, construction of a sediment control dike, shoreline protection and parking to the activities previously presented in the final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The project will use Boating Infrastructure Grant Program funds made available by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. These funds come from federal excise taxes on fishing tackle and motorboat fuels.
The City of Fulton plans to construct new and renovate existing boating access facilities on the Mississippi River to provide adequate access for transient boats that are 26 feet in length or longer. City officials determined that improved access was necessary to help meet increasing demand for recreational facilities generated by increasing boat ownership. Other benefits include enhanced safety for users and improved accessibility for disabled users.
The Supplemental EA was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that applies to the actions of all federal agencies. This project is proposed by the City of Fulton, Illinois and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for funding through the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act), administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The draft Supplemental EA, along with the final EA and FONSI, is available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website at http://midwest.fws.gov/NEPA. Additionally, copies may be obtained from the City of Fulton, Attn: Randy Balk, City Administrator, 415 11th Ave., Fulton, IL 61252 (telephone 815/589-2616). Copies may also be viewed at the Fulton Library.
Written comments should be sent to Randy Balk via mail at the above address, via email: , or via fax to 815-589-4421. Comments must be received no later than September 10, 2004.
The proposed project is also being reviewed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The area of potential effect for this undertaking is on the existing marina property. No cultural resources are known to be located on any of these properties. The public is requested to inform the Service at the above address about archeological sites, buildings and structures, historic places, cemeteries, and traditional uses of the area that could influence decisions about the project.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
