80 FR 64404 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Sacramento River Flood Control Project, California, General Reevaluation

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 205 (October 23, 2015)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District (Corps), intends to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the general reevaluation of the Sacramento River Flood Control Project, California. The Corps will serve as the lead agency for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The general reevaluation is assessing opportunities to restore ecosystem function along the Sacramento River and improve flood risk reduction capabilities of the flood conveyance system originally constructed in 1917. The system is located along the Sacramento River, from Elder Creek near Tehama to its confluence with the San Joaquin River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta near Collinsville. System features are also located along a number of tributaries, sloughs, and bypass channels, including the Feather River, American River, Sutter Bypass, and Yolo Bypass.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 205 (Friday, October 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64404-64405]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27032]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Sacramento River Flood Control Project, California, 
General Reevaluation

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 a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for 
the general reevaluation of the Sacramento River Flood Control Project, 
California. The Corps will serve as the lead agency for compliance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The general reevaluation 
is assessing opportunities to restore ecosystem function along the 
Sacramento River and improve flood risk reduction capabilities of the 
flood conveyance system originally constructed in 1917. The system is 
located along the Sacramento River, from Elder Creek near Tehama to its 
confluence with the San Joaquin River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin 
Delta near Collinsville. System features are also located along a 
number of tributaries, sloughs, and bypass channels, including the 
Feather River, American River, Sutter Bypass, and Yolo Bypass.

DATES: Written comments regarding the scope of the general reevaluation 
and DEIS should be received by the Corps on or before November 23, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions concerning this 
general reevaluation and DEIS to Mr. Dan Artho, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Sacramento District, Attn: Planning Division (CESPK-PD), 
1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or via email at 
[email protected]. Requests to be placed on the mailing 
list should also be sent to this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dan Artho via telephone at (916) 
557-7723, email at [email protected], or fax at (916) 557-
7856. Study information will also be posted periodically on the 
internet at http://bit.ly/sacrivergrr.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Proposed Action. The Corps, in cooperation with its non-Federal 
sponsors (The Central Valley Flood Protection Board and the State of 
California Department of Water Resources), is reevaluating the 
Sacramento River Flood Control Project to identify opportunities to 
restore the function and processes of the Sacramento River's aquatic 
ecosystem as well as improve the project's flood risk reduction 
performance. The general reevaluation is authorized pursuant with the 
Flood Control Act, Public Law 64-367, Sec.  2, 39 Stat. 948 (1917) as 
amended and modified by subsequent Acts of Congress and as modified by 
Flood Control Act, Public Law 86-654, Sec.  203, 74 Stat. 498 (1960), 
as supplemented by the River Basin Monetary Authorization Act, Public 
Law 93-252, Sec.  202, 88 Stat. 49 (1974), and the Continuing 
Appropriations Resolution, Public Law 97-377, Sec.  140, 96 Stat. 1916 
(1982), and the Water Resources Development Act, Public Law 110-114, 
Sec.  3031, 121 Stat. 1113 (2007).
    2. Alternatives. The general reevaluation will assess a combination 
of one or more ecosystem restoration and flood risk management measures 
including widening existing bypasses,

[[Page 64405]]

modifying existing weirs, optimizing weir operations, constructing 
setback levees, developing floodplain management plans, restoring 
riverine aquatic and riparian habitat, removing barriers to fish 
passage, and restoring natural geomorphic processes, among others. 
Changes or modifications to the Sacramento River Flood Control Project 
may include updates or revisions to the operation and maintenance 
manuals in affected areas. In addition, a no action alternative will be 
assessed. Mitigation measures for any significant adverse effects on 
environmental resources will be identified and incorporated into the 
alternatives in compliance with various Federal and State statutes.
    3. Scoping Process:
    a. Public scoping meetings will be held on November 3rd, 2015, from 
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the City of West Sacramento, 1110 W. Capitol 
Ave., West Sacramento, California 95691, and November 9th, 2015 from 
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Yuba County Board of Supervisors, 915 
Eighth Street, Marysville, California 95901. An overview of the study 
and the NEPA process will be presented, and an opportunity will be 
afforded to all interested parties to provide comments regarding the 
scope of the draft general reevaluation and DEIS analysis as well as 
potential alternatives.
    b. Issues that will be analyzed in depth in the DEIS include 
effects on hydrology and hydraulics, vegetation and wildlife, special-
status species, water quality, air quality, socioeconomic conditions, 
transportation, agricultural resources, hazardous materials, and 
cultural resources. Other issues may include geology, soils, 
topography, noise, esthetics, climate and recreation. This is a large 
geographic extent with many technical, physical, biological, and social 
complexities associated with it.
    c. The Corps will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
and the National Marine Fisheries Service to comply with the Endangered 
Species Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. The Corps will 
also consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer to comply 
with the National Historic Preservation Act and coordinate with the 
U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to establish consultation requirements 
with tribes having trust assets and tribal interests that could be 
affected by the general reevaluation's outcome.
    d. A 45-day review period will be allowed for all interested 
agencies and individuals to review and comment on the DEIS. All 
interested persons are encouraged to respond to this notice and provide 
a current address if they wish to be contacted about the DEIS.
    4. Availability. The DEIS is scheduled to be available for public 
review and comment in the Spring of 2017.

    Dated: October 16, 2015.
Michael J. Farrell,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 2015-27032 Filed 10-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P