NEPA and Public Involvement
Photograph of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery surface water intake site on Icicle Creek
Engaging the Public
NEPA requires that federal agencies engage the public during preparation of an EIS. Reclamation began this process on April 24, 2020, by publishing the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare this EIS in the Federal Register, announcing the beginning of a public scoping period to solicit public comments and to identify issues. With publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) for the SWISP Project Draft EIS in the Federal Register on November 20, 2020, Reclamation provided the Draft EIS for review and accepted input from the public, Tribes, and agencies during a 45-day comment period. Comments were accepted through January 4, 2021.
During the Draft EIS comment period, Reclamation continued public engagement by hosting two virtual public meetings via video teleconference that included a presentation on the Draft EIS, an opportunity to ask questions of Reclamation and USFWS staff, and an opportunity to provide oral public comment.
Information on how to attend was made available on the Reclamation SWISP Project website. Attendees could join by computer or phone to learn about the SWISP Project Draft EIS and the NEPA process. The virtual public meeting teleconferences were recorded and made available on Reclamation’s SWISP EIS website.
This graphic is a generalized overview of the NEPA Planning Process. It depicts where the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery (LNFH) Surface Water Intake Fish Screens and Fish Passage (SWISP) Project currently stands in the process.
This graphic depicts the anticipated NEPA schedule for the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery (LNFH) Surface Water Intake Fish Screens and Fish Passage (SWISP) Project, as well as where the project currently stands in the schedule. It summarizes key milestones in the NEPA schedule and shows where opportunities for public involvement occur. It includes information for where comments may be submitted
For more information on the SWISP EIS, please contact Jason Sutter (208-378-5390, BOR-SHA-PNRLSWISP@usbr.gov).
To be added or removed from the mailing list, please contact Megan Stone (303-447-7160, megan.stone@empsi.com).