80 FR 61188 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report & Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Yuba River, California, Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 196 (October 9, 2015)

Page Range		61188-61189
FR Document		2015-25855

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District (Corps), intends to prepare an integrated Feasibility Report & Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Yuba River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study. The Corps will serve as the lead agency for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The Yuba County Water Agency (YCWA) will serve as the non-federal sponsor. The feasibility study is evaluating opportunities for ecosystem restoration in the Yuba River watershed, located in portions of Sierra, Placer, Yuba, and Nevada counties.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 196 (Friday, October 9, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 196 (Friday, October 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61188-61189]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25855]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report & 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Yuba River, California, 
Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; DOD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District (Corps), 
intends to prepare an integrated Feasibility Report & Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Yuba River Ecosystem 
Restoration Feasibility Study. The Corps will serve as the lead agency 
for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The Yuba 
County Water Agency (YCWA) will serve as the non-federal sponsor. The 
feasibility study is evaluating opportunities for ecosystem restoration 
in the Yuba River watershed, located in portions of Sierra, Placer, 
Yuba, and Nevada counties.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by November 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers,

[[Page 61189]]

Sacramento District, Attn: Michael Fong, CESPK-PD-RP, 1325 J Street, 
Sacramento, CA 95814-2922.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the feasibility study 
and the DEIS may be addressed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Sacramento District, Attn: Michael Fong, CESPK-PD-RP, 1325 J Street, 
Sacramento, CA, 95814-2922 or submitted by email to 
[email protected]. Requests to be placed on the mailing 
list should also be sent to this address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Study Purpose. The Corps, in cooperation with YCWA, is 
conducting a cost-shared feasibility study to identify and respond to 
problems and opportunities associated with ecosystem restoration in the 
Yuba River watershed. The authority to study the Sacramento River 
Basin, including the Yuba River watershed, for flood control and allied 
purposes, was granted in the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1962, Public Law 
87-874, Section 209. A reconnaissance study of ecosystem restoration 
opportunities in the Yuba River watershed was conducted in 2014 under 
the authorization of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations 
Act of 2014, Division D of Public Law 113-76, the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2014. The Civil Works study process provides a 
systematic and rational framework for developing and analyzing 
alternative plans. This feasibility study will be conducted under the 
SMART Planning framework, an efficient, risk-informed process.
    2. Study Area. The Yuba River Watershed is located in northern 
California on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. 
The watershed encompasses 1,340 square miles in portions of Sierra, 
Placer, Yuba, and Nevada counties. The Yuba River is a tributary of the 
Feather River which, in turn, flows into the Sacramento River near the 
town of Verona, California. The study area begins in the city of 
Marysville and extends upstream approximately 90 miles, past Sierra 
City, California, in Sierra County.
    The Yuba River flows through forest, foothill chaparral, and 
agricultural lands. Levees are absent from most of its course except 
for near the river's confluence with the Feather River. At that point, 
the Yuba River is bounded by setback levees for approximately six 
miles.
    The primary watercourses of the upper Yuba River watershed are the 
South, Middle, and North Yuba rivers. The Middle Yuba River flows into 
the North Yuba River and together they are referred to as the upper 
Yuba River. Current conditions in the Yuba River watershed are largely 
defined by the legacy of historic gold mining and presence of dams.
    3. Scoping Process. A series of public Scoping meetings will be 
held in October and November 2015 to present information and receive 
comments from the public. These meetings are intended to initiate the 
process to involve concerned individuals, non-governmental 
organizations, interested parties, and local, State, and Federal 
agencies. Public Scoping meetings will be held as follows:
    Meeting #1--Wednesday, October 28, 2015, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at 
John E. Moss Federal Building Stanford Room (650 Capitol Mall, 
Sacramento, CA 95814).
    Meeting #2--Thursday, October 29, 2015, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at 
Nevada County Library Community Room (980 Helling Way, Nevada City, CA 
95959).
    Meeting #3--Wednesday, November 4, 2015, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at 
Yuba County Government Center Marysville and Wheatland Conference Room 
(915 8th Street, Marysville, CA 95901).
    Significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the integrated 
Feasibility Report & DEIS include effects on hydraulics, wetlands and 
other waters of the U.S., vegetation and wildlife resources, special-
status species, aesthetics, cultural resources, recreation, land use, 
fisheries, water quality, air quality, noise, transportation, 
socioeconomics, and cumulative effects of related projects in the study 
area.
    The Corps will coordinate with State and Federal resource agencies 
in order to comply with all pertinent environmental laws, regulations, 
and policies. Moreover, the Corps will coordinate with effected Native 
American Tribes to address their concerns and to ensure compliance with 
all applicable Federal statutes, executive orders, and Corps policies.
    4. Availability. The integrated feasibility report & DEIS is 
scheduled to be available for public review and comment in December 
2016. A 45-day public review period will be provided for individuals 
and agencies to review and comment on the DEIS. All interested parties 
are encouraged to respond to this notice and provide a current address 
if they wish to be notified of the DEIS circulation.

    Dated: October 1, 2015.
Michael J. Farrell,
COL, U.S. Army, District Commander .
[FR Doc. 2015-25855 Filed 10-8-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P

61188 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 196 / Friday, October 9, 2015 / Notices

to the GRR/EIS, as defined in section Missions/RegulatoryProgram/Nebraska/ Commission and Nebraska Department
1502.9(c) of the CEQ Regulations. EISHighway12.aspx. of Environmental Quality are
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: participating as review agencies. Copies
John C. Morrow,
Rebecca J. Latka, Project Manager, U.S. of the document are available at the
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, District following addresses:
Engineer. Army Corps of Engineers, at 402–995–
[FR Doc. 2015–25859 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am] 2681; fax 402–996–3842. 1. Niobrara Public Library/Niobrara Civic
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Center, 25414 Park Avenue Ste 3,
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
purpose of the Draft EIS is to provide a Niobrara, NE 68760–0015
2. Tyndall City Library, 110 W 17th Avenue,
full and fair discussion of the Applied- Tyndall, SD 57066
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE for Project and other reasonable 3. Verdel City Office, 202 Second St., Verdel,
alternatives to inform decision makers NE 68760
Department of the Army, Corps of and the public of the environmental 4. Verdigre City Public Library, 101 E 3rd
Engineers impacts of the Applied-for Project and Street, Verdigre, NE 68783
the reasonable alternatives. NDOR has 5. Springfield City Library, 605 8th Street,
Notice of Availability of the Draft submitted a Section 404 (Clean Water Springfield, SD 57062
Environmental Impact Statement for Act) permit application containing a 6. Knox County Extension Office, 308 Bridge
the Nebraska Highway 12 Niobrara Street, Center, NE 68724
roadway design for Alternative A7 (the 7. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lewis and
East and West Project, Knox County, Applied-for Project) to the U.S. Army Clark Visitor Center, 55245 Hwy 121,
NE Corps of Engineers (Corps). NDOR Croften, NE 68730
proposes to relocate N–12 east and west 8. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nebraska
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
of Niobrara, NE., south of its existing Regulatory Office, Lake Wehrspann Field
DoD. Office, 8901 S. 154th Street, Omaha, NE
location and construct a new roadway at
ACTION: Notice of availability. a higher elevation with enhanced 68138–3621
bridged sections to withstand existing 9. Corps of Discovery Welcome Center, 89705
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Highway 81, Crofton, NE 68730
and future flood events. The segment of
Engineers (Corps), Omaha District, has Dated: September 30, 2015.
N–12 that is in the bluffs, including the
prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Joseph McMahan,
segment that goes through the Village of
Statement (EIS) to analyze the direct,
Niobrara, will remain the same. Two Chief Regulatory Field Support, Omaha
indirect and cumulative effects of a District.
segments of N–12 within the existing
proposed Nebraska State Highway
Missouri River floodplain would be [FR Doc. 2015–25845 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am]
project, Nebraska Highway 12 Niobrara
relocated. The west segment is BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
East and West Project by the Nebraska
approximately 6.2 miles long and
Department of Roads (NDOR). The
extends from just east of Verdel,
Applied-for Project is the relocation and DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Nebraska, on the west end to 2 miles
elevation (including additional bridges)
west of the bridge over the Niobrara
of two segments of existing Nebraska Department of the Army, Corps of
River. The Applied-for Project would
Highway 12 (N–12) that are frequently Engineers
deviate from the existing alignment just
flooded and have incurred damage due
east of Ponca Creek and would rejoin
to high water levels associated with the Notice of Intent To Prepare an
the existing alignment just north of
Missouri River. Integrated Feasibility Report & Draft
County Road 892. The east segment is
DATES: Written comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for
approximately 6 miles long and extends
EIS will be accepted on or after October the Yuba River, California, Ecosystem
from just east of Spruce Avenue in
9, 2015, through November 23, 2015. Restoration Feasibility Study
Niobrara, NE., to approximately 1 mile
Oral and/or written comments may also east of Spur 54D (S–54D). In the east AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S.
be presented at the Public Hearing to be segment, the alignment would deviate Army Corps of Engineers; DOD.
held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November from the existing alignment east of 4th ACTION: Notice of intent.
9, 2015, at the Niobrara Secondary Avenue in Niobrara, NE., and would
School, located at 247 NE–12, Niobrara, reconnect with existing N–12 at SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
NE 68760. approximately S–54D. A new Engineers, Sacramento District (Corps),
ADDRESSES: Send written comments connection to the Chief Standing Bear intends to prepare an integrated
regarding the Applied-for Project and Memorial Bridge (N–14) and SD–37 Feasibility Report & Draft
Draft EIS to Rebecca J. Latka, Project would be developed, tying into the Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, existing Highway 14 connection (which for the Yuba River Ecosystem
Omaha District, Regulatory Branch, will be elevated as part of the project). Restoration Feasibility Study. The Corps
1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE Once the roads are completed, the will serve as the lead agency for
68102–4901, or via email at existing N–12 roadway would be compliance with the National
Rebecca.J.Latka@usace.army.mil. removed to the existing ground level. In Environmental Policy Act. The Yuba
Requests to be placed on or removed addition to the Applied-for Project, the County Water Agency (YCWA) will
from the mailing list should also be sent Draft EIS analyzes three alternatives: (1) serve as the non-federal sponsor. The
to this address. Elevation Raise on Existing Alignment, feasibility study is evaluating
Copies of the Draft EIS will be (2) Elevation Raise on Parallel opportunities for ecosystem restoration
in the Yuba River watershed, located in
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

available for review at the addresses Alignment, (3) Base of Bluffs Alignment.
listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY The National Park Service, U.S. portions of Sierra, Placer, Yuba, and
INFORMATION section. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Nevada counties.
Electronic copies of the Draft EIS may Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal DATES: Written comments should be
be obtained from the Nebraska Highway Administration, and Knox submitted by November 9, 2015.
Regulatory Office or its Web site at County are serving as cooperating ADDRESSES: Written comments should
http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/ agencies. The Nebraska Game and Parks be sent to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 196 / Friday, October 9, 2015 / Notices 61189

Sacramento District, Attn: Michael Current conditions in the Yuba River DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Fong, CESPK–PD–RP, 1325 J Street, watershed are largely defined by the
Sacramento, CA 95814–2922. legacy of historic gold mining and Department of the Navy
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: presence of dams. [Docket ID: USN–2013–0032]
Questions about the feasibility study 3. Scoping Process. A series of public
and the DEIS may be addressed to U.S. Scoping meetings will be held in Proposed Collection; Comment
Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento October and November 2015 to present Request
District, Attn: Michael Fong, CESPK– information and receive comments from
PD–RP, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA, the public. These meetings are intended AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
95814–2922 or submitted by email to to initiate the process to involve ACTION: Notice.
Michael.R.Fong@usace.army.mil. concerned individuals, non-
governmental organizations, interested SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Requests to be placed on the mailing list
parties, and local, State, and Federal Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
should also be sent to this address.
agencies. Public Scoping meetings will Department of the Navy announces a
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: proposed public information collection
1. Study Purpose. The Corps, in be held as follows:
and seeks public comment on the
cooperation with YCWA, is conducting Meeting #1—Wednesday, October 28,
provisions thereof. Comments are
a cost-shared feasibility study to 2015, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. at John E.
invited on: (a) Whether the proposed
identify and respond to problems and Moss Federal Building Stanford Room
collection of information is necessary
opportunities associated with ecosystem (650 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA
for the proper performance of the
restoration in the Yuba River watershed. 95814).
functions of the agency, including
The authority to study the Sacramento Meeting #2—Thursday, October 29, whether the information shall have
River Basin, including the Yuba River 2015, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at Nevada practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
watershed, for flood control and allied County Library Community Room (980 agency’s estimate of the burden of the
purposes, was granted in the Rivers and Helling Way, Nevada City, CA 95959). proposed information collection; (c)
Harbors Act of 1962, Public Law 87– Meeting #3—Wednesday, November ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
874, Section 209. A reconnaissance 4, 2015, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at Yuba clarity of the information to be
study of ecosystem restoration County Government Center Marysville collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
opportunities in the Yuba River and Wheatland Conference Room (915 burden of the information collection on
watershed was conducted in 2014 under 8th Street, Marysville, CA 95901). respondents, including through the use
the authorization of the Energy and Significant issues to be analyzed in of automated collection techniques or
Water Development Appropriations Act depth in the integrated Feasibility other forms of information technology.
of 2014, Division D of Public Law 113– Report & DEIS include effects on
DATES: Consideration will be given to all
76, the Consolidated Appropriations hydraulics, wetlands and other waters
comments received by December 8,
Act, 2014. The Civil Works study of the U.S., vegetation and wildlife
2015.
process provides a systematic and resources, special-status species,
rational framework for developing and aesthetics, cultural resources, ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
analyzing alternative plans. This recreation, land use, fisheries, water identified by docket number and title,
feasibility study will be conducted quality, air quality, noise, by any of the following methods:
under the SMART Planning framework, transportation, socioeconomics, and • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
an efficient, risk-informed process. cumulative effects of related projects in www.regulations.gov. Follow the
2. Study Area. The Yuba River the study area. instructions for submitting comments.
Watershed is located in northern The Corps will coordinate with State • Mail: Department of Defense, Office
California on the western slopes of the and Federal resource agencies in order of the Deputy Chief Management
Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The to comply with all pertinent Officer, Directorate of Oversight and
watershed encompasses 1,340 square environmental laws, regulations, and Compliance, Regulatory and Audit
miles in portions of Sierra, Placer, Yuba, policies. Moreover, the Corps will Matters Office, 9010 Defense Pentagon,
and Nevada counties. The Yuba River is coordinate with effected Native Washington, DC 20301–9010.
a tributary of the Feather River which, American Tribes to address their Instructions: All submissions received
in turn, flows into the Sacramento River concerns and to ensure compliance with must include the agency name, docket
near the town of Verona, California. The all applicable Federal statutes, executive number and title for this Federal
study area begins in the city of orders, and Corps policies. Register document. The general policy
Marysville and extends upstream 4. Availability. The integrated for comments and other submissions
approximately 90 miles, past Sierra feasibility report & DEIS is scheduled to from members of the public is to make
City, California, in Sierra County. be available for public review and these submissions available for public
The Yuba River flows through forest, comment in December 2016. A 45-day viewing on the Internet at http://
foothill chaparral, and agricultural public review period will be provided www.regulations.gov as they are
lands. Levees are absent from most of its for individuals and agencies to review received without change, including any
course except for near the river’s and comment on the DEIS. All personal identifiers or contact
confluence with the Feather River. At interested parties are encouraged to information.
that point, the Yuba River is bounded by respond to this notice and provide a Any associated form(s) for this
setback levees for approximately six current address if they wish to be collection may be located within this
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

miles. notified of the DEIS circulation. same electronic docket and downloaded
The primary watercourses of the for review/testing. Follow the
upper Yuba River watershed are the Dated: October 1, 2015. instructions at http://
South, Middle, and North Yuba rivers. Michael J. Farrell, www.regulations.gov for submitting
The Middle Yuba River flows into the COL, U.S. Army, District Commander . comments. Please submit comments on
North Yuba River and together they are [FR Doc. 2015–25855 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am] any given form identified by docket
referred to as the upper Yuba River. BILLING CODE 3720–58–P number, form number, and title.

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:33:22
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:33:22

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.
Dates		Written comments should be submitted by November 9, 2015.
Contact		Questions about the feasibility study
FR Citation		80 FR 61188

80 FR 61188 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report & Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Yuba River, California, Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEDepartment of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 196 (October 9, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers