Weber River Structure Repair (Weber County)
Emergency Watershed Protection: Weber River Structure Repair (Weber County)
Project Description
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Weber County have analyzed alternatives to reduce potential flood impacts to the land surrounding the lower Weber River during elevated flows in the river. The lower Weber River flowing in western Weber County, Utah does not have the required capacity to safely and efficiently convey flood flows, thereby providing protection to the surrounding agricultural and residential areas. The lower Weber River splits into three separate channels on the Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area operated by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: 1) North Run, 2) Middle Run, and 3) South Run. The outlet of each of these three channels is controlled by water control structures consisting of radial gates and overflow weirs. Flood flows in the Weber River sometimes become constricted at these three water control structures and back water up in the river resulting in potential damage to resources upstream. During the 2011 flood event in the Weber River, portions of the dike system on the Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area were intentionally breached to bypass the Middle Run and South Run water control structures to reduce flood impacts to adjacent property on the river.
NEPA Analysis
This project is partially funded by the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to reduce potential impacts from future flood events affecting the Weber River. A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)was prepared by NRCS for the EWP program; however, this project does not fit within the analysis parameters of the Programmatic EIS since this project will increase flood protection above 2011 pre-flood protection levels. NRCS, as the lead federal agency, initiated 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 complies 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
Current Status
The Draft Environmental Assessment Public Comment Period Closed on Friday August 16, 2013. NRCS compiled comments received and have completed the Final Environmental Assessment for the project. The NRCS Utah State Conservationist has decided that a Finding of No Significant Impact is approved for the proposed alternative (Structure Repairs).
According to NRCS NEPA regulations, a 15-day public review period will be opened for the project since it is located in a wetland and floodplain. The public review period will end on December 4, 2013.
Contact Information
For further project information please contact:
Andy Neff - The Langdon Group
Weber County Emergency Watershed Projects
466 North 900 West
Kaysville, UT 84037
Phone: 801-419-9554
Fax: 801-547-0397
wcewp@langdongroupinc.com
Project Documents
Environmental Assessment
Structure Repair Finding of No Significant Impact (PDF, 310 KB)
Structure Repair Final Environmental Assessment-Total Report (PDF, 16.6 MB)
Structure Repair Final Environmental Assessment-Report (PDF, 1.54 MB)
Structure Repair Final Environmental Assessment-App A (PDF, 505 KB)
Structure Repair Final Environmental Assessment-App B (PDF, 3.85 MB)
Structure Repair Final Environmental Assessment-App C (PDF, 1.26 MB)
Structure Repair Final Environmental Assessment-App D (PDF, 9.56 MB)
Archived Material
Updated: November 20, 2013
