Green River/Tusher Diversion Dam Rehabilitation (Utah Deptof Ag & Food)
Emergency Watershed Protection: Green River/Tusher Diversion Dam Rehabilitation (Utah Department of Agriculture and Food)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Lead Federal Agency
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) - Endangered Species Act Technical Oversight
Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) - National Historic Preservation Act Consultation
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) - Sponsor
The NRCS and UDAF are analyzing alternatives to rehabilitate damage to the Green River diversion dam from the late 2010 and early 2011 flood events. The diversion dam was constructed in the early 1900’s and has been modified over the years to maintain the dam. During the 2010/2011 flood events, flows in the Green River caused severe damage to the diversion dam compromising its structural integrity. If the dam fails, water supply to two irrigation canals, a historic irrigation water wheel delivery system, and one hydropower plant would be eliminated.
As part of dam rehabilitation, the Upper Colorado Endangered Fish Recovery Program (Recovery Program) is proposing to fund and install a fish barrier on the west irrigation and hydropower plant canal to prevent Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed fish species from entering the canal and/or hydropower plant. As part of the dam rehabilitation, upstream and downstream fish passage may also be incorporated into the design. These fish protection and passage components are proposed for inclusion in the Green River diversion dam rehabilitation project to help reduce fish mortality and increase ESA listed fish species populations in the Green River.
Currently, the project is analyzing the following design elements listed in order of priority:
Rehabilitate Dam to Protect Irrigation and Hydropower Water Rights
ESA Listed Fish Species Barrier into the Powerhouse and Irrigation Canals
Upstream and Downstream ESA Listed Fish Species Passage over the Dam
Downstream Boat Passage past the Dam (may include an in-stream channel and/or upland portage around the dam)
This project is being partially funded by the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to restore the damage from the 2010/2011 flood events and stabilize the structure. A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), was prepared by NRCS for the EWP program; however, the repair of this diversion structure does not fit within the analysis parameters of the Programmatic EIS. NRCS, as the lead federal agency, is initiating additional NEPA analysis in the form of an Environmental Assessment to analyze impacts to the natural and human environment from this project. The Environmental Assessment will comply with the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations at 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508 which require an evaluation of potential environmental impacts associated with federal projects and actions. The USBOR is proposing to fund the installation of the fish barrier and is a cooperating agency in the NEPA analysis.
The 2nd public scoping period officially closed on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 (5:00 p.m. MDT).
The project team is currently developing the conceptual design alternatives for the project and preparing the Draft EIS.
To View the Green River/Tusher Diversion Dam Rehabilitation National Environmental Policy Act Process, click the PDF link below.
EIS Schedule Figure 7-3-13 (PDF, 258 KB)
The Draft EIS will be made available to the public for review and comment.
Please check this website for future updates pertaining to the Draft EIS public review dates.
In order to assist NRCS informing the public regarding the status of the project, we need your full contact information so that we can send you emails and official notices. Please submit your contact information to Greg Allington - McMillen, LLC so that we may add it to the project distribution list. NEPA is a public process that analyzes impacts to the environment and your participation in this process is vital to its success.
For further project information please contact:
Greg Allington – McMillen, LLC
1401 Shoreline Dr.
Boise, ID 83702
Scoping Notice (PDF, 123 KB)
Scoping Project Description (PDF, 1 MB)
Scoping Public Meeting Presentation (PDF, 2 MB)
Scoping Report (PDF, 3 MB)
2nd Scoping Report (PDF, 8 MB)
2nd Scoping Notice (PDF, 124 KB)
2nd Scoping Federal Register EIS Notice of Intent (PDF, 203KB)
2nd Scoping Telebriefing Presentation (PDF, 1.96MB)
2nd Scoping Telebriefing Presentation Recording 2PM Presentation (MP3, 2.31MB)
2nd Scoping Telebriefing Presentation Recording 6PM Presentation (MP3, 2.24MB)
NOTE: NRCS will add other directories and documents as we move through subsequent phases of the NEPA process.