80 FR 69201 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Santa Cruz River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study, Pinal County, Arizona

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 216 (November 9, 2015)

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (Corps) in partnership with the Pinal County Flood Control District intends to prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Santa Cruz River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 216 (Monday, November 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69201-69202]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28495]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report and 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Santa Cruz River Flood 
Risk Management Feasibility Study, Pinal County, Arizona

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (Corps) in 
partnership with the Pinal County Flood Control District intends to 
prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Lower Santa Cruz River Flood Risk Management 
Feasibility Study.

DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held on November 9, 2015 from 
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Submit written comments concerning this notice 
on or before December 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The scoping meeting location is: City of Casa Grande Council 
Chambers, 510 East Florence Blvd., Casa Grande, AZ 85122.
    Mail written comments to: Mr. Kenneth Wong, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Los Angeles District, CESPL-PD-RQ, 915 Wilshire Blvd., Los 
Angeles, CA 90017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kenneth Wong, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Los Angeles District, CESPL-PD-RQ, 915 Wilshire Blvd., Los 
Angeles, CA 90017, (213) 452-3847, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lower Santa Cruz River Flood Risk 
Management Feasibility Study is authorized by the Flood Control Act of 
1938 (Pub. L. 761, 75th Congress) for flood control studies on the Gila 
River and its tributaries in Arizona and New Mexico. The Santa Cruz 
River is a major tributary of the Gila River.
    The study will evaluate strategies for minimizing flood risks along 
the Lower Santa Cruz River and its major tributaries within an 
approximately 1,400 square mile study area in Pinal County. The 
northern boundary of the study is the Santa Cruz River's confluence 
with the Gila River near the Maricopa County line. The southern 
boundary is the Pinal County-Pima County line.
    The study will primarily focus on minimizing flood risks associated 
with large storm events originating from Mexico and Southern/Central 
Arizona. The study area has long been subject to damaging floods. Since 
1887, 34 major floods have occurred on the river, an average of one 
event every three to four years. Six of the seven most damaging floods 
have occurred in the last 50 years. Damage has been widespread and 
devastating, including forced aerial evacuations; the loss of entire 
buildings; road and bridge closures; destruction of dams, levees, 
dikes, high-pressure gas lines, and crops; and severe erosion, channel 
migration, and sedimentation.
    The potential for flood related damages has increased with 
continued population growth within the study area. Pinal County was the 
second fastest growing county in the United States during the past 
decade, nearly doubling its population to 375,000, with a projected 
population of one million by 2030.
    Potential alternatives to be evaluated during the course of the 
study include:
    Diversion/Bypass Channels. Capture floodwaters at an upstream 
location, and divert them away from high damage areas to Tat Momolikot 
Reservoir.
    Channelization. Capture flood flows at an upstream location near 
Red Rock, and contain these flows in a channel to a point where they 
could be discharged into the Gila River.
    Detention. Detain floodwaters upstream and release at a non-
damaging flow rate.
    Levees. Construct levees near populated areas and critical 
infrastructure.
    Nonstructural. Prepare floodplain management plans; install flood 
warning systems and prepare emergency evacuation plans; elevate 
structures; flood proof structures; and relocate and/or buyout 
structures.
    Additional alternatives that combine elements of those listed above 
may also be evaluated. In addition, the study would also evaluate the 
No Action alternative pursuant to NEPA.
    The Corps and Pinal County Flood Control District will jointly 
conduct a public scoping meeting at the date and address indicated 
above. The purpose of the meeting is to present information regarding 
the study and receive public comment regarding the appropriate scope, 
potential alternatives, and environmental resources of concern. 
Participation of affected Federal, state

[[Page 69202]]

and local resource agencies, Native American groups and concerned 
interest groups/individuals is encouraged.
    The Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact 
Statement is expected to be available for public review and comment in 
May 2017.

    Dated: October 30, 2015.
Kirk E. Gibbs,
Colonel, U.S. Army, Commander and District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2015-28495 Filed 11-6-15; 8:45 am]
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