The Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Land Management have issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on a proposal to construct a fish barrier, chemically treat a 1.7-mile segment of stream to eradicate non-native fishes, and release four Federally-listed fish species into Bonita Creek in Graham County, Arizona. The draft EA was released in February 2007 and, following a 30-day public comment period, Reclamation and BLM have determined that the proposed action will not significantly impact the environment.

Bonita Creek is home to five native fish species including the endangered Gila chub. The proposed action is intended to maintain a healthy native fishery in Bonita Creek and will include the release of the federally-listed loach minnow, spikedace, desert pupfish, and Gila topminnow into the lower 15-mile segment of Bonita Creek located in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area. The Gila Box RNCA is administered by the Safford Field Office of BLM.

A copy of the final Environmental Assessment, Reclamation's FONSI and BLM's FONSI/Decision Record can be obtained by calling Reclamation's Environmental Resource Management Division at 623-773-6251, e-mailing rkonst@lc.usbr.gov , or by downloading the documents from the Phoenix Area Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/

Questions may be directed to Mr. John McGlothlen at 623-773-6256.