As part of the Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP), the Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review a Draft Environmental Assessment/Initial Study (EA/IS) for the rehabilitation of two Trinity River channel sites: Lower Steiner Flat and Upper Junction City. Federal co-lead agencies, Reclamation and the Bureau of Land Management, and the California State lead agency, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, are working together to inform the public about this proposed TRRP restoration project. Together, work at these sites comprises the proposed project (Project) which the TRRP plans to develop this year to increase salmon and steelhead habitat downstream of Lewiston Dam, as described in the December 19, 2000, Record of Decision for the Trinity River Mainstem Fishery Restoration Environmental Impact Statement.

The project is designed to enhance aquatic habitat through construction of slow water rearing habitat for juvenile salmon and steelhead, reconnection of the floodplain with the river and placement of in-river habitat features. The Lower Steiner Flat site is located on the mainstem Trinity River three miles downstream from Douglas City; the Upper Junction City site is located in Junction City, upstream of the point at which Dutch Creek Road crosses the river.

The Draft EA/IS was prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act requirements and is available on the TRRP website http://www.trrp.net/ and http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=8963. The Draft EA/IS may be reviewed in Weaverville at the Trinity County library on 211 Main Street; the TRRP office located on 1313 S Main Street; and the Trinity County Resource Conservation District at Horseshoe Square. The Draft EA/IS may also be viewed at the Bureau of Land Management office at 355 Hemsted Drive, Redding, Calif.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Draft EA/IS please contact Brandt Gutermuth, Bureau of Reclamation, at 530-623-1806. Comments must be received by close of business Tuesday, March 20, 2012, and should be sent to Mr. Gutermuth, Trinity River Restoration Program, P.O. Box 1300, Weaverville, CA 96093 or bgutermuth@usbr.gov.