81 FR 1177 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Denver Urban Waterways Restoration Study, South Platte River and Tributaries, Denver County, CO
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 6 (January 11, 2016)
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 6 (January 11, 2016)
| Page Range | 1177-1178 | |
| FR Document | 2016-00204 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 1177-1178] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-00204] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Denver Urban Waterways Restoration Study, South Platte River and Tributaries, Denver County, CO AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Omaha District, intends to prepare a feasibility study with integrated environmental impact statement (EIS) that analyzes and discloses effects associated with actions to provide ecosystem restoration along the South Platte River and flood risk management actions along two South Platte River tributaries (Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch). DATES: Submit written comments on the scope of the issues and alternatives to be considered in the EIS on or before February 19, 2016. ADDRESSES: Send written scoping comments, requests to be added to the mailing list, or requests for sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired or other special assistance needs to Ms. Tiffany Vanosdall by telephone: (402) 995-2695, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102-4901, or by email: [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or questions about the proposed feasibility study with integrated EIS, please contact Mr. Luke Wallace by telephone: (402) 995-2692, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102-4901, or by email: [email protected]. For inquiries from the media, please contact the USACE Omaha District Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Tom O'Hara by telephone: (402) 995-2416, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102-4901, or by email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USACE is issuing this notice pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. Public Meetings: Public scoping meetings for the various study reaches will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. MDT at the following locations:Harvard Gulch: Wednesday, January 13, 2016--Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 East Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80210. South Platte River: Wednesday, January 20, 2016--REI, 1416 Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202. Weir Gulch: Tuesday, February 2, 2016--Barnum Recreation Center, 360 Hooker Street, Denver, CO 80219. Background Information The Unified City and County of Denver and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District (Corps) are conducting a feasibility study for ecosystem restoration along the South Platte River and flood risk management along two of its tributaries, Weir Gulch and Harvard Gulch, in the City and County of Denver. The ecosystem portion of the study will optimize federally significant resources including habitat for migratory birds, wetlands and riparian habitat, and aquatic resources of the South Platte River and its tributaries. The geographic scope of the study area includes the South Platte River from 6th Avenue to 58th Avenue, Weir Gulch from Sheridan Boulevard east to the confluence with the South Platte River, and Harvard Gulch from Colorado Boulevard west to the confluence with the South Platte River. The purpose of the project along the South Platte River is to address loss of riparian, wetland and in-channel habitat associated with urban development. There is a need to provide a functioning habitat corridor through Denver for migratory birds, as well as wetland and aquatic species. The purpose of the project along the Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch tributaries to the South Platte River is to address flood risk issues in order to reduce flood and life safety risks along each stream. Urban development within the floodplain in both gulches consists of approximately 1,180 structures and an associated 9,150 people at risk of flooding. The report will be a final response to the study authority. The City and County of Denver covers approximately 153 square miles which is only 0.15 percent of the State's area, but is densely populated with approximately 12 percent of the State's population; the total metropolitan area population (2.4 million) is [[Page 1178]] approximately 50 percent of the State's population. Population growth has been rapid. Denver County lies approximately 10 miles east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. This heavily influences the County's weather. Denver has a semi-arid climate with all four seasons discernible. Average annual precipitation is 16 inches. The natural land cover is primarily short-grass prairie and semi-desert. For approximately 10 river miles the South Platte River flows north through Denver. Its tributaries in Denver include Cherry Creek, smaller Bear Creek, and still smaller Weir Gulch, Lakewood Gulch, Sanderson Gulch, Harvard Gulch, and West Harvard Gulch. The Harvard Gulch watershed is an east bank tributary to the South Platte River located in southeast Denver. The 7.43-square mile drainage basin is 72.5 percent within the City and County of Denver and 27.5 percent in Arapahoe County. The major drainage way has a perennial base flow and follows a path along Harvard Avenue until reaching Logan Street where it is conveyed underground in Wesley Avenue to the outfall at the South Platte River. The Weir Gulch watershed is a west bank tributary to the South Platte River in Denver and has a drainage area of approximately 7.7 square miles at the confluence with the South Platte River. As required by CEQ's implementing regulations, all reasonable alternatives to the proposed Federal action that meet the purpose and need will be considered in the EIS. These alternatives will include no action and a range of reasonable alternatives for improving the South Platte ecosystem and reducing flood risk on Harvard and Weir Gulch. Appropriate mitigation measures will be incorporated into the proposed action and reasonable alternatives. The EIS will analyze and disclose environmental impacts associated with the proposed Federal action and alternatives together with engineering, operations and maintenance, social, and economic considerations. The public is invited and encouraged to identify issues and effects they believe should be addressed in the EIS and reasonable alternatives for ecosystem restoration along the South Platte River and flood risk management along Harvard Gulch and Weir Gulch. Public Disclosure Statement The Corps believes it is important to inform the public of the environmental review process. To assist the Corps in identifying and considering issues related to the proposed Federal action, comments made during formal scoping and later on the draft EIS should be as specific as possible. Reviewers must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts the Corps to the reviewers' position and contentions. It is very important that those interested in this proposed Federal action participate by the close of the scoping period so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the Corps at a time when they can meaningfully consider and respond to them. If you wish to comment, you can mail or email your comments as indicated under the Addresses section. Before including your name, address, phone number, email address, or any other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment including your personal identifying information may be made available to the public at any time. While you can request in your comment for us to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2016-00204 Filed 1-8-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 6 / Monday, January 11, 2016 / Notices 1177
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Dated: January 5, 2016. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USACE is
meeting will be held under the Aaron Siegel, issuing this notice pursuant to the
provisions of the Federal Advisory Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison National Environmental Policy Act of
Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5 Officer, Department of Defense. 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the [FR Doc. 2016–00230 Filed 1–8–16; 8:45 am] seq.
Government in the Sunshine Act of BILLING CODE 5001–06–P Public Meetings: Public scoping
1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and meetings for the various study reaches
41 CFR 102–3.150. will be held from 5:30–7:30 p.m. MDT
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE at the following locations:
Purpose of Meetings • Harvard Gulch: Wednesday,
Department of the Army, Corps of January 13, 2016—Harvard Gulch
During the open meeting on Engineers Recreation Center, 550 East Iliff Avenue,
Thursday, January 28, 2016, the Denver, CO 80210.
Commission will publicly release their Notice of Intent To Prepare an • South Platte River: Wednesday,
final report. Environmental Impact Statement for January 20, 2016—REI, 1416 Platte
the Denver Urban Waterways Street, Denver, CO 80202.
Agendas Restoration Study, South Platte River • Weir Gulch: Tuesday, February 2,
and Tributaries, Denver County, CO 2016—Barnum Recreation Center, 360
January 28, 2016—Open Meeting: The
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Hooker Street, Denver, CO 80219.
Commission will hold an open meeting
to provide comments and announce the Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. Background Information
release of the Commission’s final report. ACTION: Notice of intent. The Unified City and County of
Meeting Accessibility SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) Denver and the U.S. Army Corps of
of the National Environmental Policy Engineers, Omaha District (Corps) are
Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.140 Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and conducting a feasibility study for
through 102–3.165 and the availability the Council on Environmental Quality’s ecosystem restoration along the South
of space, the meeting scheduled for (CEQ) regulations for implementing the Platte River and flood risk management
January 28, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 procedural provisions of NEPA, the U.S. along two of its tributaries, Weir Gulch
p.m. at the Hall of States is open to the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and Harvard Gulch, in the City and
public. Seating is limited and pre- Omaha District, intends to prepare a County of Denver. The ecosystem
registration is strongly encouraged. feasibility study with integrated portion of the study will optimize
Media representatives are also environmental impact statement (EIS) federally significant resources including
encouraged to register. Members of the that analyzes and discloses effects habitat for migratory birds, wetlands
media must comply with the rules of associated with actions to provide and riparian habitat, and aquatic
ecosystem restoration along the South resources of the South Platte River and
photography and video filming
Platte River and flood risk management its tributaries. The geographic scope of
published by the State Services
actions along two South Platte River the study area includes the South Platte
Organization and George Washington River from 6th Avenue to 58th Avenue,
University. The closest public parking tributaries (Harvard Gulch and Weir
Gulch). Weir Gulch from Sheridan Boulevard
facility is on the property, for an hourly east to the confluence with the South
fee. The Union Station metro is a two- DATES: Submit written comments on the
Platte River, and Harvard Gulch from
block walk. Visitors should keep their scope of the issues and alternatives to be
Colorado Boulevard west to the
belongings with them at all times. considered in the EIS on or before
confluence with the South Platte River.
February 19, 2016. The purpose of the project along the
Additional Information ADDRESSES: Send written scoping South Platte River is to address loss of
comments, requests to be added to the riparian, wetland and in-channel habitat
The DoD sponsor for the Commission
mailing list, or requests for sign associated with urban development.
is the Deputy Chief Management
language interpretation for the hearing There is a need to provide a functioning
Officer. The Commission is tasked to impaired or other special assistance
submit a report, containing a habitat corridor through Denver for
needs to Ms. Tiffany Vanosdall by migratory birds, as well as wetland and
comprehensive study and telephone: (402) 995–2695, by mail:
recommendations, by February 1, 2016 aquatic species. The purpose of the
1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE project along the Harvard Gulch and
to the President of the United States and 68102–4901, or by email:
the Congressional defense committees. Weir Gulch tributaries to the South
tiffany.k.vanosdall@usace.army.mil. Platte River is to address flood risk
The report will contain a detailed
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For issues in order to reduce flood and life
statement of the findings and further information and/or questions safety risks along each stream. Urban
conclusions of the Commission, together about the proposed feasibility study development within the floodplain in
with its recommendations for such with integrated EIS, please contact Mr. both gulches consists of approximately
legislation and administrative actions it Luke Wallace by telephone: (402) 995– 1,180 structures and an associated 9,150
may consider appropriate in light of the 2692, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, people at risk of flooding. The report
results of the study. The comprehensive Omaha, NE 68102–4901, or by email: will be a final response to the study
study of the structure of the Army will a.luke.wallace@usace.army.mil. For authority.
ebenthall on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
determine whether, and how, the inquiries from the media, please contact The City and County of Denver covers
structure should be modified to best the USACE Omaha District Public approximately 153 square miles which
fulfill current and anticipated mission Affairs Officer, Mr. Tom O’Hara by is only 0.15 percent of the State’s area,
requirements for the Army in a manner telephone: (402) 995–2416, by mail: but is densely populated with
consistent with available resources. 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE approximately 12 percent of the State’s
68102–4901, or by email: population; the total metropolitan area
thomas.a.ohara@usace.army.mil. population (2.4 million) is
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![1178 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 6 / Monday, January 11, 2016 / Notices
approximately 50 percent of the State’s comments made during formal scoping Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
population. Population growth has been and later on the draft EIS should be as www.regulations.gov by selecting the
rapid. specific as possible. Reviewers must Docket ID number or via postal mail,
Denver County lies approximately 10 structure their participation in the commercial delivery, or hand delivery.
miles east of the Front Range of the environmental review of the proposal so Please note that comments submitted by
Rocky Mountains. This heavily that it is meaningful and alerts the fax or email and those submitted after
influences the County’s weather. Denver Corps to the reviewers’ position and the comment period will not be
has a semi-arid climate with all four contentions. It is very important that accepted. Written requests for
seasons discernible. Average annual those interested in this proposed information or comments submitted by
precipitation is 16 inches. The natural Federal action participate by the close of postal mail or delivery should be
land cover is primarily short-grass the scoping period so that substantive addressed to the Director of the
prairie and semi-desert. comments and objections are made Information Collection Clearance
For approximately 10 river miles the available to the Corps at a time when Division, U.S. Department of Education,
South Platte River flows north through they can meaningfully consider and 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room
Denver. Its tributaries in Denver include respond to them. 2E115, Washington, DC 20202–4537.
Cherry Creek, smaller Bear Creek, and If you wish to comment, you can mail FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
still smaller Weir Gulch, Lakewood or email your comments as indicated specific questions related to collection
Gulch, Sanderson Gulch, Harvard under the Addresses section. Before activities, please contact Inas El-Sabban,
Gulch, and West Harvard Gulch. including your name, address, phone 202–205–3810.
The Harvard Gulch watershed is an number, email address, or any other SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
east bank tributary to the South Platte personal identifying information in your Department of Education (ED), in
River located in southeast Denver. The comment, you should be aware that accordance with the Paperwork
7.43-square mile drainage basin is 72.5 your entire comment including your Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
percent within the City and County of personal identifying information may be 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
Denver and 27.5 percent in Arapahoe made available to the public at any time. public and Federal agencies with an
County. The major drainage way has a While you can request in your opportunity to comment on proposed,
perennial base flow and follows a path comment for us to withhold your revised, and continuing collections of
along Harvard Avenue until reaching personal identifying information from information. This helps the Department
Logan Street where it is conveyed public review, we cannot guarantee that assess the impact of its information
underground in Wesley Avenue to the we will be able to do so. collection requirements and minimize
outfall at the South Platte River. the public’s reporting burden. It also
The Weir Gulch watershed is a west Brenda S. Bowen,
helps the public understand the
bank tributary to the South Platte River Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. Department’s information collection
in Denver and has a drainage area of [FR Doc. 2016–00204 Filed 1–8–16; 8:45 am] requirements and provide the requested
approximately 7.7 square miles at the BILLING CODE 3720–58–P data in the desired format. ED is
confluence with the South Platte River. soliciting comments on the proposed
As required by CEQ’s implementing
information collection request (ICR) that
regulations, all reasonable alternatives
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION is described below. The Department of
to the proposed Federal action that meet
Education is especially interested in
the purpose and need will be [Docket No. ED–2015–ICCD–0127]
public comment addressing the
considered in the EIS. These
Agency Information Collection following issues: (1) Is this collection
alternatives will include no action and
Activities; Submission to the Office of necessary to the proper functions of the
a range of reasonable alternatives for Department; (2) will this information be
improving the South Platte ecosystem Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; Comment Request; processed and used in a timely manner;
and reducing flood risk on Harvard and (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
Weir Gulch. Appropriate mitigation Mathematics and Science Partnerships
(4) how might the Department enhance
measures will be incorporated into the Program: Annual Performance Report
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
proposed action and reasonable information to be collected; and (5) how
AGENCY: Office of Elementary and
alternatives. The EIS will analyze and might the Department minimize the
Secondary Education (OESE),
disclose environmental impacts burden of this collection on the
Department of Education (ED).
associated with the proposed Federal respondents, including through the use
action and alternatives together with ACTION: Notice.
of information technology. Please note
engineering, operations and SUMMARY: In accordance with the that written comments received in
maintenance, social, and economic Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 response to this notice will be
considerations. The public is invited U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is considered public records.
and encouraged to identify issues and proposing a revision of an existing Title of Collection: Mathematics and
effects they believe should be addressed information collection. Science Partnerships Program: Annual
in the EIS and reasonable alternatives Performance Report.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
for ecosystem restoration along the OMB Control Number: 1810–0669.
South Platte River and flood risk submit comments on or before February
Type of Review: A revision of an
management along Harvard Gulch and 10, 2016.
existing information collection.
Weir Gulch. ADDRESSES: To access and review all the
ebenthall on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Respondents/Affected Public: State,
documents related to the information Local and Tribal Government.
Public Disclosure Statement collection listed in this notice, please Total Estimated Number of Annual
The Corps believes it is important to use http://www.regulations.gov by Responses: 450.
inform the public of the environmental searching the Docket ID number ED– Total Estimated Number of Annual
review process. To assist the Corps in 2015–ICCD–0127. Comments submitted Burden Hours: 4,500.
identifying and considering issues in response to this notice should be Abstract: The Mathematics and
related to the proposed Federal action, submitted electronically through the Science Partnerships program is a
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Document Created: 2016-01-16 01:03:38
Document Modified: 2016-01-16 01:03:38
| 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 | Submit written comments on the scope of the issues and alternatives to be considered in the EIS on or before February 19, 2016. | |
| Contact | For further information and/or questions about the proposed feasibility study with integrated EIS, please contact Mr. Luke Wallace by telephone: (402) 995-2692, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102-4901, or by email: [email protected]army.mil. For inquiries from the media, please contact the USACE Omaha District Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Tom O'Hara by telephone: (402) 995-2416, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102-4901, or by email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 1177 |
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