Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No

Significant Impact

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

PROJECT: Watershed Project Plan for the Lower Grand River Habitat Restoration Project Lower Grand River Watershed in Kent County, Michigan

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

ACTION: Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact

SUMMARY: The purpose of the project is to restore the rapids, improve public safety, restore aquatic habitat variety and suitability for native Great Lakes fish and mussel species, and enhance river access and use. The proposed Project opportunities that could be realized include:

• Improved habitat variety and suitability over 2,887 feet and 30 acres of the Grand River;
• Increased Great Lakes native fish variety and productivity;
• Protection of threatened and endangered fish and mussel species including the lake sturgeon, river redhorse, and snuffbox mussel;
• Improved river access and use for the public with elimination of unsafe dam hydraulics; and
• Improved public safety through elimination of unsafe low-head dams causing turbulent waters.

Restoration of the site would require the demolition of four low-head dams located between I-196 and Fulton Street, grading of the riverbed, and installation of boulder arch structures, constructed riffles, emergent habitat boulders, and bank vanes within an area approximately 47,415 m² (11.7 acres) in size. The project has been designed to require little to no maintenance over a period of 50 years following construction, but it is possible that minimal operations, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement (OMRRR) activities may be required. The revitalization and enhancement of the rapids is expected to facilitate benefits such as improved aquatic habitat diversity, improved public health and safety, and expanded public use of the river.

The environmental assessment of this federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause significant local, regional, or national impacts on the environment. As a result of these findings and pursuant to 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508 (1978), as amended and 7 CFR 650 regulations, Diane Gray, NRCS Michigan State Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact statement is not needed for this project.

The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been forwarded to the various Federal, State, and local agencies and interested parties. The FONSI and Watershed Plan/Environmental Assessment is available for download at: