129860 DNS Cowlitz Falls Dam STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE (DNS) Lead Agency: Lewis County Public Utility District Applicant: Adam Newman / 360-345-1626 / adamn@lcpud.org Agency File Number: 24-013-PWB (Cowlitz Falls Dam Boat Barrier Replacement) Description of Proposal: Cowlitz Falls Dam has a boat barrier ~1,200 feet upstream in Lake Scanewa (reservoir) to prevent recreational boaters from floating close to the dam structure. The boat barrier was installed when the dam was completed in 1994 and consists of a cable, yellow buoys, and two concrete anchor blocks. Replacement of the boat barrier and abandonment of the two anchor blocks is proposed since the boat barrier has reached the end of its service life (~30 years). New orange boat barrier buoys, supporting cables, three new anchor points, and two new access roads would be installed along the shoreline of the reservoir in the upland to continue to prevent recreational boaters from floating close to the dam structure. Location of Proposal: Cowlitz Falls Dam and Reservoir (Lake Scanewa), Lewis County, Washington / Parcels 027303009000 & 027303013001 / 46.4665, -122.1035 (WGS84). Threshold Determination: Lewis County Public Utility District has determined that this proposal will not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of the environmental checklist and attachment supporting information. This information is available for public review upon request. This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2) and Lewis County Public Utility District will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the issue date. Written comments may be submitted during the 14-day comment period to the responsible official listed below. Reviewing Agencies: Washington Department of Ecology and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Appeal Process: This SEPA threshold determination may be appealed in writing to the Lewis County Public Utility District until 4 pm on 5/17/ 2024 at the Lewis County Public Utility District Chehalis Office. Appellants should be prepared to make specific factual objections. Published: The Chronicle April 30, 2024