80 FR 38181 - Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Study
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 127 (July 2, 2015)
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 127 (July 2, 2015)
| Page Range | 38181-38182 | |
| FR Document | 2015-16364 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 127 (Thursday, July 2, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 38181-38182] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-16364] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Study AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice of Intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District (Corps) in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) as the non-federal sponsor, is preparing an integrated Feasibility Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality's NEPA regulations; Corps' principles and guidelines as defined in Engineering Regulations (ER) 1105-2-100, Planning Guidance Notebook, and ER 200-2-2, Procedures for Implementing NEPA; and other applicable Federal and State environmental laws for the proposed Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study. The study is assessing the feasibility of flood risk management alternatives to be implemented within the congressionally authorized study area with a specific emphasis on the Township of Cranford and the City of Rahway in Union County, New Jersey. The District was authorized under U.S. House of Representatives Resolution Docket 2548, dated March 24, 1998 to identify recommendations in the interest of water resources development. ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions concerning the scope of issues to be evaluated within the EIS to Kimberly Rightler, Project Biologist/NEPA Coordinator, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, Planning Division, Environmental, 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10279-0090; Phone: (917) 790-8722; email: [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the overall Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study should be directed to Rifat Salim, Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, Programs and Project Management Division, Civil Works Programs Branch, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2127, New York, NY 10279-0090; Phone: (917) 790-8215; email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), is undertaking this study. Flooding within the Rahway River Basin is caused principally by the rapid development of the area, which has resulted in a large increase of stormwater runoff into the Rahway River and its tributaries. The increased runoff coupled with inadequate channel capacities and bridge openings account for most of the flooding problems. Storm events in the Rahway River Basin which caused significant damage are the storms of July 1938, May 1968, August 1971, August 1973, November 1977, July 1979, June 1992, October 1996, July 1997, Tropical Storm Floyd in September 1999, April 2007 and Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. In response to locals concerns regarding flooding, Congress funded the Corps to conduct a reconnaissance study of the Rahway River Basin. In July 1999, the Corps issued a favorable reconnaissance report recommending that a feasibility study be conducted to develop flood risk management alternatives in the Rahway River Basin. The NJDEP concurred with the Corps' reconnaissance study recommendations and signed a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement (FCSA) on March 14, 2002 to cost share the feasibility study. While an entire basin study was authorized, an initial screening conducted in 2006 determined that Cranford and the City of Rahway had the greatest potential for Federal Interest. Subsequent of Hurricane Irene in August 2011, local stakeholders requested the Corps, through NJDEP, to investigate potential flood storage opportunities outside/upstream of the Township of Cranford that would benefit not only Cranford but other municipalities as well. As part of their request, the local stakeholders presented several alternatives. As a result, the Corps conducted a preliminary alternative analysis to determine those alternatives that should be considered for further evaluation. In total, eight alternatives were developed and are listed below: 1. Cranford Alternative 1: Channel Improvements and Modification to the Lenape Park Levees 2. Cranford Alternative 2: Channel Improvements and modification to the Nomahegan Park Levees and Lenape Park Levees 3. Cranford Alternative 3: Channel Improvements and dredging Orange Reservoir 4. Cranford Alternative 4: Channel Improvements and new outlet at Orange Reservoir 5. Cranford Alternative 5: Channel Improvements and South Mountain Regional Detention Basin 6. Cranford Alternative 5a: Channel Improvements and South Mountain Regional Detention Basin with relocation of Brookside Drive 7. Cranford Alternative 6: South Mountain Regional Detention Basin 8. Cranford Alternative 6a: South Mountain Regional Detention Basin with relocation of Brookside Drive 9. Cranford Alternative 7: Nonstructural 10 year flood plain in Cranford 10. Cranford Alternative 7a: Nonstructural-100-yr floodplain in Cranford [[Page 38182]] 11. Cranford Alternative 8: Lenape Park Detention Basin and Orange Reservoir Outlet Modification Two public information sessions were held in Cranford and Millburn Townships in May 2014 to provide public with status of the study including description of plans, cost estimate, and benefit to cost analysis of the preliminary alternatives for Cranford study area alternatives. Based on the benefit cost analysis and public feedback, Cranford Alternatives 4, 7a and 8 will be carried forward for additional analysis and evaluation. 2. Project Area The project area encompasses the portion of the Rahway River located in the Townships of West Orange, Maplewood, Millburn, Union, Westfield in Essex County, and the Township of Cranford and the City of Rahway, and the Robinson's Branch, a tributary to the Rahway River, in the City of Rahway in Union County. 3. Alternatives Although the preliminary Cranford alternatives (see Background) will be discussed in the EIS, the following alternatives will be the primary focus of the evaluation in the EIS. A full description of each alternative can be found at www.nan.usace.army.mil/Rahway. 3.1 No Action 3.2 Non-Structural 3.3 Cranford Alternative 4. Channel Improvements and Modification of Orange Reservoir Outlet 3.4 Cranford Alternative 8: Modification of Lenape Park Detention Levees and Modification of Orange Reservoir Outlet 3.5 Cranford Alternative 9. Modification of Lenape Park Detention Levees, Modification of Orange Reservoir Outlet and Channel Improvements 3.6 Robinson's Branch Alternative 1: Levees/floodwalls and Channel Improvements 3.7 Robinson's Branch Alternative 2: Modification of Middlesex Reservoir 4. Public Participation The Corps and the NJDEP hosted a NEPA Scoping Meeting on 15 June 2015. Public notices announcing the meeting date, time, location and agenda were published in the appropriate local newspapers, and on the Corps' New York District Web page and will be distributed to the local stakeholders and known interested parties. A scoping comment period of 30 days to conclude on 15 July has been established to allow agencies, organizations and individuals to submit comments, questions and/or concerns regarding the Feasibility Study. Comments, concerns and information submitted to the Corps will be evaluated and considered during the development of the Draft EIS. The Corps will utilize feedback received from the NEPA Scoping Period to identify additional public information meeting needs prior to the selection of a preferred alternative. Meeting notifications will follow the same process used for the NEPA Scoping Meeting. 5. Lead and Cooperating Agencies The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the lead federal agency for the preparation of the environmental impact statement (EIS) and meeting the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the NEPA Implementing Regulations of the President's Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1500-1508). Federal agencies interested in participating as a Cooperating Agency are requested to submit a letter of intent to Colonel David A. Caldwell, District Engineer (see ADDRESSES). The preparation of the EIS will be coordinated with New Jersey State and local municipalities with discretionary authority relative to the proposed actions. The Draft integrated Feasibility Report/EIS is currently scheduled for distribution to the public June 2016. Dated: June 24, 2015. Peter M. Weppler, Chief, Environmental Analysis Branch, Planning Division. [FR Doc. 2015-16364 Filed 7-1-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 127 / Thursday, July 2, 2015 / Notices 38181
and facsimile contact information found Report/Environmental Impact Statement 1996, July 1997, Tropical Storm Floyd
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION (EIS) in accordance with Council on in September 1999, April 2007 and
CONTACT section. The communication Environmental Quality’s NEPA Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011.
should include the registrant’s full regulations; Corps’ principles and In response to locals concerns
name, title, affiliation or employer, guidelines as defined in Engineering regarding flooding, Congress funded the
email address, day time phone number. Regulations (ER) 1105–2–100, Planning Corps to conduct a reconnaissance
This information will assist the Guidance Notebook, and ER 200–2–2, study of the Rahway River Basin. In July
Commission in contacting individuals Procedures for Implementing NEPA; 1999, the Corps issued a favorable
should it decide to do so at a later date. and other applicable Federal and State reconnaissance report recommending
If applicable, include written comments environmental laws for the proposed that a feasibility study be conducted to
and a request to speak during the oral Rahway River Basin Flood Risk develop flood risk management
comment session. (Oral comment Management Feasibility Study. The alternatives in the Rahway River Basin.
requests must be accompanied by a study is assessing the feasibility of flood The NJDEP concurred with the Corps’
summary of your presentation.) risk management alternatives to be reconnaissance study recommendations
Registrations and written comments implemented within the congressionally and signed a Feasibility Cost Sharing
should be typed. authorized study area with a specific Agreement (FCSA) on March 14, 2002 to
emphasis on the Township of Cranford cost share the feasibility study. While an
Additional Information and the City of Rahway in Union entire basin study was authorized, an
The DoD sponsor for the Commission County, New Jersey. initial screening conducted in 2006
is the Deputy Chief Management The District was authorized under determined that Cranford and the City
Officer. The Commission is tasked to U.S. House of Representatives of Rahway had the greatest potential for
submit a report, containing a Resolution Docket 2548, dated March Federal Interest.
comprehensive study and 24, 1998 to identify recommendations in Subsequent of Hurricane Irene in
recommendations, by February 1, 2016 the interest of water resources August 2011, local stakeholders
to the President of the United States and development. requested the Corps, through NJDEP, to
the Congressional defense committees. ADDRESSES: Send written comments and investigate potential flood storage
The report will contain a detailed suggestions concerning the scope of opportunities outside/upstream of the
statement of the findings and issues to be evaluated within the EIS to Township of Cranford that would
conclusions of the Commission, together Kimberly Rightler, Project Biologist/ benefit not only Cranford but other
with its recommendations for such NEPA Coordinator, U.S. Army Corps of municipalities as well. As part of their
legislation and administrative actions it Engineers, New York District, Planning request, the local stakeholders presented
may consider appropriate in light of the Division, Environmental, 26 Federal several alternatives. As a result, the
results of the study. The comprehensive Plaza, New York, NY 10279–0090; Corps conducted a preliminary
study of the structure of the Army will Phone: (917) 790–8722; email: alternative analysis to determine those
determine whether, and how, the kimberly.a.rightler@usace.army.mil. alternatives that should be considered
structure should be modified to best FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: for further evaluation.
fulfill current and anticipated mission Questions about the overall Rahway In total, eight alternatives were
requirements for the Army in a manner River Basin Flood Risk Management developed and are listed below:
consistent with available resources. Feasibility Study should be directed to 1. Cranford Alternative 1: Channel
Dated: June 29, 2015. Rifat Salim, Project Manager, U.S. Army Improvements and Modification to
Aaron Siegel, Corps of Engineers, New York District, the Lenape Park Levees
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Programs and Project Management 2. Cranford Alternative 2: Channel
Officer, Department of Defense. Division, Civil Works Programs Branch, Improvements and modification to
[FR Doc. 2015–16317 Filed 7–1–15; 8:45 am] 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2127, New the Nomahegan Park Levees and
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P York, NY 10279–0090; Phone: (917) Lenape Park Levees
790–8215; email: 3. Cranford Alternative 3: Channel
rifat.salim@usace.army.mil. Improvements and dredging Orange
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Reservoir
4. Cranford Alternative 4: Channel
Department of the Army, Corps of 1. Background Improvements and new outlet at
Engineers The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Orange Reservoir
(Corps), in partnership with the New 5. Cranford Alternative 5: Channel
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Jersey Department of Environmental Improvements and South Mountain
Environmental Impact Statement for Protection (NJDEP), is undertaking this Regional Detention Basin
the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk study. Flooding within the Rahway 6. Cranford Alternative 5a: Channel
Management Study River Basin is caused principally by the Improvements and South Mountain
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, rapid development of the area, which Regional Detention Basin with
DOD. has resulted in a large increase of relocation of Brookside Drive
ACTION: Notice of Intent. stormwater runoff into the Rahway 7. Cranford Alternative 6: South
River and its tributaries. The increased Mountain Regional Detention Basin
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY: In compliance with the runoff coupled with inadequate channel 8. Cranford Alternative 6a: South
National Environmental Policy Act capacities and bridge openings account Mountain Regional Detention Basin
(NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of for most of the flooding problems. with relocation of Brookside Drive
Engineers, New York District (Corps) in Storm events in the Rahway River 9. Cranford Alternative 7: Nonstructural
partnership with the New Jersey Basin which caused significant damage 10 year flood plain in Cranford
Department of Environmental Protection are the storms of July 1938, May 1968, 10. Cranford Alternative 7a:
(NJDEP) as the non-federal sponsor, is August 1971, August 1973, November Nonstructural–100-yr floodplain in
preparing an integrated Feasibility 1977, July 1979, June 1992, October Cranford
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![38182 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 127 / Thursday, July 2, 2015 / Notices
11. Cranford Alternative 8: Lenape Park organizations and individuals to submit ADDRESSES: Comments submitted in
Detention Basin and Orange comments, questions and/or concerns response to this notice should be
Reservoir Outlet Modification regarding the Feasibility Study. submitted electronically through the
Two public information sessions were Comments, concerns and information Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
held in Cranford and Millburn submitted to the Corps will be evaluated www.regulations.gov by selecting
Townships in May 2014 to provide and considered during the development Docket ID number ED–2015–ICCD–0057
public with status of the study of the Draft EIS. or via postal mail, commercial delivery,
including description of plans, cost The Corps will utilize feedback or hand delivery. If the regulations.gov
estimate, and benefit to cost analysis of received from the NEPA Scoping Period site is not available to the public for any
the preliminary alternatives for Cranford to identify additional public reason, ED will temporarily accept
study area alternatives. Based on the information meeting needs prior to the comments at ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.
benefit cost analysis and public selection of a preferred alternative. Please note that comments submitted by
feedback, Cranford Alternatives 4, 7a Meeting notifications will follow the fax or email and those submitted after
and 8 will be carried forward for same process used for the NEPA the comment period will not be
additional analysis and evaluation. Scoping Meeting. accepted; ED will ONLY accept
2. Project Area 5. Lead and Cooperating Agencies comments during the comment period
in this mailbox when the regulations.gov
The project area encompasses the The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is site is not available. Written requests for
portion of the Rahway River located in the lead federal agency for the information or comments submitted by
the Townships of West Orange, preparation of the environmental impact postal mail or delivery should be
Maplewood, Millburn, Union, Westfield statement (EIS) and meeting the addressed to the Director of the
in Essex County, and the Township of requirements of the National Information Collection Clearance
Cranford and the City of Rahway, and Environmental Policy Act and the NEPA Division, U.S. Department of Education,
the Robinson’s Branch, a tributary to the Implementing Regulations of the 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ,
Rahway River, in the City of Rahway in President’s Council on Environmental Mailstop L–OM–2–2E319, Room 2E103,
Union County. Quality (40 CFR 1500–1508). Federal Washington, DC 20202.
agencies interested in participating as a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
3. Alternatives
Cooperating Agency are requested to specific questions related to collection
Although the preliminary Cranford submit a letter of intent to Colonel
alternatives (see Background) will be activities, please contact Vanessa
David A. Caldwell, District Engineer Anderson, 202–219–1310.
discussed in the EIS, the following (see ADDRESSES). The preparation of the
alternatives will be the primary focus of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
EIS will be coordinated with New Jersey
the evaluation in the EIS. A full Department of Education (ED), in
State and local municipalities with
description of each alternative can be accordance with the Paperwork
discretionary authority relative to the
found at www.nan.usace.army.mil/ Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
proposed actions. The Draft integrated
Rahway. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
Feasibility Report/EIS is currently
public and Federal agencies with an
3.1 No Action scheduled for distribution to the public
opportunity to comment on proposed,
3.2 Non-Structural June 2016.
revised, and continuing collections of
3.3 Cranford Alternative 4. Channel Dated: June 24, 2015. information. This helps the Department
Improvements and Modification of
Peter M. Weppler, assess the impact of its information
Orange Reservoir Outlet
3.4 Cranford Alternative 8: Modification Chief, Environmental Analysis Branch, collection requirements and minimize
Planning Division. the public’s reporting burden. It also
of Lenape Park Detention Levees
and Modification of Orange [FR Doc. 2015–16364 Filed 7–1–15; 8:45 am] helps the public understand the
Reservoir Outlet BILLING CODE 3720–58–P Department’s information collection
3.5 Cranford Alternative 9. Modification requirements and provide the requested
of Lenape Park Detention Levees, data in the desired format. ED is
Modification of Orange Reservoir DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION soliciting comments on the proposed
Outlet and Channel Improvements information collection request (ICR) that
[Docket No.: ED–2015–ICCD–0057] is described below. The Department of
3.6 Robinson’s Branch Alternative 1:
Levees/floodwalls and Channel Education is especially interested in
Agency Information Collection
Improvements public comment addressing the
Activities; Submission to the Office of
3.7 Robinson’s Branch Alternative 2: following issues: (1) Is this collection
Management and Budget for Review
Modification of Middlesex necessary to the proper functions of the
and Approval; Comment Request;
Reservoir Department; (2) will this information be
What Works Clearinghouse Formative
processed and used in a timely manner;
4. Public Participation Feedback
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
The Corps and the NJDEP hosted a AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences (4) how might the Department enhance
NEPA Scoping Meeting on 15 June (IES), Department of Education (ED). the quality, utility, and clarity of the
2015. Public notices announcing the ACTION: Notice. information to be collected; and (5) how
meeting date, time, location and agenda might the Department minimize the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
were published in the appropriate local SUMMARY: In accordance with the burden of this collection on the
newspapers, and on the Corps’ New Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 respondents, including through the use
York District Web page and will be U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is of information technology. Please note
distributed to the local stakeholders and proposing a revision of an existing that written comments received in
known interested parties. information collection. response to this notice will be
A scoping comment period of 30 days DATES: Interested persons are invited to considered public records.
to conclude on 15 July has been submit comments on or before August 3, Title of Collection: What Works
established to allow agencies, 2015. Clearinghouse Formative Feedback.
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:15:08
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:15:08
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Intent. | |
| Contact | Questions about the overall Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study should be directed to Rifat Salim, Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, Programs and Project Management Division, Civil Works Programs Branch, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2127, New York, NY 10279-0090; Phone: (917) 790-8215; email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 38181 |
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