Big Bend of the Jordan River Habitat Restoration and Federal Land Transfer : Draft Environmental Assessment (March 28, 2018)

The City of West Jordan and the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (Mitigation Commission), a Federal Agency, are proposing to create or enhance riparian, riverine, wetland and upland habitat along a reach of the Jordan River at approximately 8600 South in West Jordan, Utah. This area has been impacted by human alterations to the stream channel and adjacent lands. Under the proposed action, restoration would be accomplished by re-aligning the Jordan River channel to meander through properties owned by the City of West Jordan and the Mitigation Commission. A portion of the Jordan River flow would continue down the existing channel to maintain riparian vegetation and provide flood conveyance during large flood events. The project would also provide outdoor recreational opportunities including construction of a 4-acre fishing pond, trails, a viewing platform, educational and interpretive facilities, parking and restrooms. The proposed restoration site is one of the last remaining large undeveloped sections of land within the Jordan River corridor, and thus provides a unique opportunity to restore the degraded ecosystem structure, function, and dynamic processes of the river to a more natural condition. Restoring both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem functions is the underlying purpose for the project. We are inviting you to review and comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed project. The EA describes the proposed project in greater detail and the environmental impacts that would likely result if the project were implemented. You can download a copy of the EA at www.mitigationcommission.gov. An interactive Executive Summary Story Map of the EA is also available on the Mitigation Commissions website or https://arcg.is/15qKqv. Comments are being accepted through April 30, 2018. Comments on the project can be submitted by email to Richard Mingo rmingo@usbr.gov.