The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is proposing to fund construction and operation of two acclimation ponds in Washington.  This letter briefly explains what is being proposed, outlines the environmental review process, and invites you to comment on the proposal.

Proposal:  BPA is proposing to fund two acclimation ponds for coho salmon as part of the Mid Columbia Coho Restoration Program, which is implemented by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.  The acclimation ponds help hatchery-reared juvenile coho salmon acclimate to the natural environment and imprint on waters to which they would be expected to return as adults.  The Mid-Columbia Coho Restoration Program Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision  addressed the overall coho restoration program, with 24 acclimation pond sites distributed throughout the Wenatchee and Methow river basins.  However, some pond sites have since proved not to be viable, so BPA is proposing two new sites - Merry Canyon and Trinity.

The two sites are in the Wenatchee River basin, in Chelan County.  Merry Canyon is on Chumstick Creek, and Trinity is on Phelps Creek.  These sites are shown in the attached vicinity maps.

The following actions are proposed: 
• Merry Canyon:  excavate a new pond into the bank of Chumstick Creek
• Trinity:  build one new small pond, three above-ground rearing tanks, surface-water intake pipelines, and discharge pipelines. 

BPA is providing an opportunity for interested parties to identify issues that BPA should consider in preparing its environmental analysis for these sites.