81 FR 62106 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project, Yolo County, CA
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 174 (September 8, 2016)
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 174 (September 8, 2016)
| Page Range | 62106-62107 | |
| FR Document | 2016-21578 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 62106-62107] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-21578] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project, Yolo County, CA AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Sacramento District, as the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), will prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Lower Elkhorn Setback Levee Project. DWR is the project proponent and may be referred to as the Applicant or Requester. The EIS/EIR will analyze DWR's proposed action to implement a flood risk management project in the Lower Elkhorn Basin in Yolo County, California. Because the proposed action would alter Federal levees, permission from USACE is required under Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (Section 408) (33 U.S.C. 408). The proposed action would also affect waters of the United States and require a permit from USACE under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). DATES: Submit written comments by October 7, 2016. ADDRESSES: Written comments and suggestions concerning the scope and content of the environmental information may be submitted to Mr. Tyler Stalker, email at [email protected]; or surface mail at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, Attn: Public Affairs Office (CESPK-PAO), 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-2922. Requests to be placed on the electronic or surface mail notification lists should also be sent to this address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Tanis Toland at (916) 557-6717, or by email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Proposed Action. The proposed Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project would include levee setbacks to widen portions of the Yolo and Sacramento Bypasses to increase conveyance capacity and reduce flood risk. The project would be part of a series of proposed flood risk [[Page 62107]] management improvements contemplated under DWR's Central Valley Flood Protection Plan and its related Sacramento Basin-Wide Feasibility Report. The project is located in Yolo County and is bounded by the Sacramento River on the east, the Tule Canal and Yolo Bypass on the west, the Sacramento Bypass on the south, and Interstate 5 on the north. The project would include the following elements: (1) Widening the Yolo Bypass by constructing a setback levee east of the Tule Canal in the Lower Elkhorn Basin, (2) widening the Sacramento Bypass by constructing a setback levee north of the existing levee, and (3) implementing improvements in the Lower Elkhorn Basin and Sacramento Bypass to mitigate project impacts. Widening of the Sacramento Bypass, per number (2) of the Proposed Action, is also a recommended feature of the American River Common Features GRR, for which a general reevaluation was completed in 2016, although it is not yet congressionally authorized. The proposed Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project is not intended to duplicate this recommended feature, rather it offers DWR a potential alternative means to construct this key feature should the project not be authorized prior to USACE's decision on DWR's request under Section 408. 2. Alternatives. A number of project alternatives, including the no action alternative and the Requester's/Applicant's preferred alternative will be evaluated in the EIS/EIR in accordance with NEPA (33 CFR part 230 (USACE NEPA Regulations) and 33 CFR part 325, Appendix B (NEPA Implementation Procedures for USACE Regulatory Projects). 3. Scoping Process. a. A public scoping meeting will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., West Sacramento Civic Center, 1110 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento, CA 95691 to present information to the public and to receive comments from the public on the project and the scope of the environmental analysis. Affected Federal, State, regional, and local agencies; Native American Tribes; other interested private organizations; and the general public are invited to participate. b. The EIS/EIR will analyze the environmental effects of construction, operations, and maintenance of the project. Potentially significant issues to be analyzed in depth include loss of waters of the United States (including wetlands), cultural resources, biological resources, special status species, air quality, hydrology and water quality, land use, Prime and Unique Farmlands, noise, traffic, aesthetics, utilities and service systems, and socioeconomic effects. c. USACE will consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer and with Native American Tribes to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act, and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service to comply with the Endangered Species Act. USACE will also coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to comply with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. d. A 45-day NEPA public review period will be provided for all interested parties, individuals, and agencies to review and comment on the draft EIS/EIR. All interested parties are encouraged to respond to this notice and provide a current address if they wish to be notified of the draft EIS/EIR circulation. 4. Availability. The draft EIS/EIR is scheduled to be available for public review and comment in November 2017. Dated: August 28, 2016. David G. Ray, Colonel, U.S. Army, District Commander. [FR Doc. 2016-21578 Filed 9-7-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
![62106 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices
Order (E.O.) 7183 in 1935 and the Flood long-term safe performance of the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Control Acts of 1936 and 1938 for the structure as originally intended.
purposes of flood control, low flow f. Modifications to meet current Department of the Army, Corps of
augmentation, and hydroelectric power acceptable risk guidelines per ER 1110– Engineers
development. The purposes were later 2–1156 may include, modification of the
expanded to include recreational existing stilling basin, modification of Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint
activities under the Flood Control Act of other dam components, construction of Environmental Impact Statement/
1944 and fish and wildlife enhancement an alternative/auxiliary stilling basin, Environmental Impact Report for the
under the Fish and Wildlife construction of an alternative/auxiliary Proposed Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee
Coordination Act (FWCA) of 1958. spillway and non-structural measures or Setback Project, Yolo County, CA
2. Background: a. Guidance for this other actions to prevent overtopping. AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S.
study is provided in USACE Engineer The No Action alternative will also be Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
Regulation (ER) 1110–2–1156 (October considered. As required by NEPA and ACTION: Notice of intent.
2011). This guidance details agency Corps planning guidance, the No Action
policy and procedures for the study and alternative will form a benchmark from SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
implementation process addressing dam which alternatives are evaluated and Engineers (USACE), Sacramento
safety issues. compared. District, as the lead agency under the
b. Bluestone Lake is a multipurpose 3. Public Participation: a. The SDEIS National Environmental Policy Act
component of the Kanawha River basin will be made available to the public in (NEPA), and the California Department
system which provides for flood control, the affected area for forty-five (45) days of Water Resources (DWR), as the lead
recreation, power development, low for review and comment. A Notice of agency under the California
flow augmentation, and fish and Availability will be advertised in Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), will
wildlife enhancement. The project affected area newspapers informing the prepare a joint Environmental Impact
began operation in 1949 and helps general public about the SDEIS public Statement/Environmental Impact Report
control a 4,565 square mile drainage review period. The SDEIS and draft (EIS/EIR) for the Lower Elkhorn Setback
area. ROD can be viewed at: http:// Levee Project. DWR is the project
c. The ROD, signed in 1999, www.lrh.usace.army.mil/Missions/ proponent and may be referred to as the
completed the NEPA process for the PublicReview.aspx. Copies of the SDEIS Applicant or Requester.
DSA project permitting the Huntington and draft ROD may be obtained by The EIS/EIR will analyze DWR’s
District to begin detailed design and contacting the Huntington District proposed action to implement a flood
subsequent construction of the Office of the Corps of Engineers at (304) risk management project in the Lower
recommended alternative which 399–5924 (See ADDRESSES). All persons Elkhorn Basin in Yolo County,
included a 13 foot cantilever wall on top and organizations that have an interest California. Because the proposed action
of the dam, an additional concrete in the Bluestone Dam Project are urged would alter Federal levees, permission
monolith on the east abutment, a to participate in this SDEIS review and from USACE is required under Section
floodgate closure across WV Rt. 20, comment period. Upon the close of the 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act
removable closures at each end of the comment period, USACE will consider (Section 408) (33 U.S.C. 408). The
spillway, high strength anchors placed all comments and if necessary conduct proposed action would also affect
into the dam itself, massive concrete further analysis. waters of the United States and require
blocks placed against the downstream Additionally, the Corps will conduct a permit from USACE under Section 404
face of the dam, and a pavement for public meetings to gain input from of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).
scour protection downstream of the interested agencies, organizations, and DATES: Submit written comments by
hydropower penstocks. The majority of the general public concerning the
the ongoing construction on these October 7, 2016.
content, issues, and impacts of the ADDRESSES: Written comments and
measures will continue through the year SDEIS, a separate Notice of Intent will
2019. The ROD for this work anticipated suggestions concerning the scope and
be published in the Federal Register for content of the environmental
construction would be completed 2005. this action. Prior to the meeting, a
d. Physical modeling and expert information may be submitted to Mr.
public notice will be distributed to Tyler Stalker, email at spk-pao@
analysis conducted during project agencies, organizations, and the general
construction has shown the downstream usace.army.mil; or surface mail at U.S.
public, informing interested parties of Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento
bedrock is vulnerable to erosion during the date and location for the public
high flow events as a result of District, Attn: Public Affairs Office
meeting. The Corps invites full public (CESPK–PAO), 1325 J Street,
deficiencies with the current stilling participation to promote open
basin configuration. This potential Sacramento, CA 95814–2922. Requests
communication and better decision- to be placed on the electronic or surface
erosion creates an unacceptable level of making.
risk according to guidelines established mail notification lists should also be
4. Schedule: The Draft Supplemental
in ER 1110–2–1156, under which this sent to this address.
Environmental Impact Statement is
study is being conducted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
scheduled to be released for public
e. The SDEIS and Dam Safety review and comment on or about Tanis Toland at (916) 557–6717, or by
Modification report (DSMR) will September 1, 2016. The Final Report email at tanis.j.toland@usace.army.mil.
consider the structural integrity of the and Final Supplemental EIS are SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
dam, its ability to accommodate flood 1. Proposed Action. The proposed
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tentatively scheduled to be completed
waters as well as transportation, noise, in May 2017. Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback
terrestrial, aquatic, economic, Project would include levee setbacks to
environmental justice and cultural Rebecca A. Rutherford, widen portions of the Yolo and
resource issues associated with the Chief, Environmental Analysis Section, Sacramento Bypasses to increase
performance of the dam. The SDEIS and Planning Branch. conveyance capacity and reduce flood
DSMR will recommend any [FR Doc. 2016–21570 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am] risk. The project would be part of a
modifications necessary to ensure the BILLING CODE 3720–58–P series of proposed flood risk
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices 62107
management improvements noise, traffic, aesthetics, utilities and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
contemplated under DWR’s Central service systems, and socioeconomic Mark R. Pointon, the Designated Federal
Valley Flood Protection Plan and its effects. Officer (DFO) for the committee, in
related Sacramento Basin-Wide c. USACE will consult with the State writing at the Institute for Water
Feasibility Report. The project is located Historic Preservation Officer and with Resources, U.S. Army Corps of
in Yolo County and is bounded by the Native American Tribes to comply with Engineers, ATTN: CEIWR–GM, 7701
Sacramento River on the east, the Tule the National Historic Preservation Act, Telegraph Road, Casey Building,
Canal and Yolo Bypass on the west, the and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Alexandria, VA 22315–3868; by
Sacramento Bypass on the south, and Service and National Marine Fisheries telephone at 703–428–6438; and by
Interstate 5 on the north. The project Service to comply with the Endangered email at Mark.Pointon@usace.army.mil.
would include the following elements: Species Act. USACE will also Alternatively, contact Mr. Kenneth E.
(1) Widening the Yolo Bypass by coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Lichtman, the Alternate Designated
constructing a setback levee east of the Wildlife Service to comply with the Federal Officer (ADFO), in writing at the
Tule Canal in the Lower Elkhorn Basin, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. Institute for Water Resources, U.S. Army
(2) widening the Sacramento Bypass by d. A 45-day NEPA public review Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CEIWR–GW,
constructing a setback levee north of the period will be provided for all 7701 Telegraph Road, Casey Building,
existing levee, and (3) implementing interested parties, individuals, and Alexandria, VA 22315–3868; by
improvements in the Lower Elkhorn agencies to review and comment on the telephone at 703–428–8083; and by
Basin and Sacramento Bypass to draft EIS/EIR. All interested parties are email at Kenneth.E.Lichtman@
mitigate project impacts. Widening of encouraged to respond to this notice usace.army.mil.
the Sacramento Bypass, per number (2) and provide a current address if they
of the Proposed Action, is also a wish to be notified of the draft EIS/EIR SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
recommended feature of the American circulation. committee meeting is being held under
River Common Features GRR, for which 4. Availability. The draft EIS/EIR is the provisions of the Federal Advisory
a general reevaluation was completed in scheduled to be available for public Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C.,
2016, although it is not yet review and comment in November 2017. Appendix, as amended), the
congressionally authorized. The Government in the Sunshine Act of
Dated: August 28, 2016. 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and
proposed Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee
Setback Project is not intended to David G. Ray, 41 CFR 102–3.150.
duplicate this recommended feature, Colonel, U.S. Army, District Commander. Purpose of the Meeting: The Board is
rather it offers DWR a potential [FR Doc. 2016–21578 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am] chartered to provide independent
alternative means to construct this key BILLING CODE 3720–58–P advice and recommendations to the
feature should the project not be Secretary of the Army on construction
authorized prior to USACE’s decision and rehabilitation project investments
on DWR’s request under Section 408. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE on the commercial navigation features
2. Alternatives. A number of project of the inland waterways system of the
alternatives, including the no action Department of the Army, Corps of
United States. At this meeting, the
alternative and the Requester’s/ Engineers
Board will receive briefings and
Applicant’s preferred alternative will be presentations regarding the investments,
evaluated in the EIS/EIR in accordance Inland Waterways Users Board
Meeting Notice projects and status of the inland
with NEPA (33 CFR part 230 (USACE waterways system of the United States
NEPA Regulations) and 33 CFR part AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. and conduct discussions and
325, Appendix B (NEPA Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. deliberations on those matters. The
Implementation Procedures for USACE ACTION: Notice of open Federal advisory Board is interested in written and verbal
Regulatory Projects). committee meeting. comments from the public relevant to
3. Scoping Process. these purposes.
a. A public scoping meeting will be SUMMARY: The Department of the Army
held on Thursday, September 15, 2016, Proposed Agenda: At this meeting the
is publishing this notice to announce agenda will include the status of
from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., West the following Federal advisory
Sacramento Civic Center, 1110 West funding for inland navigation projects
committee meeting of the U.S. Army and studies budgeted in FY 2017; the
Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento, CA Corps of Engineers, Inland Waterways
95691 to present information to the status of the Inland Waterways Trust
Users Board (Board). This meeting is Fund and comparison of revenues; the
public and to receive comments from open to the public. For additional
the public on the project and the scope status of the Olmsted Locks and Dam
information about the Board, please Project, and the Locks and Dams 2, 3,
of the environmental analysis. Affected visit the committee’s Web site at http://
Federal, State, regional, and local and 4 on the Monongahela River Project;
www.iwr.usace.army.mil/Missions/ update of Kentucky Lock and
agencies; Native American Tribes; other Navigation/InlandWaterways
interested private organizations; and the Chickamauga Lock economics
UsersBoard.aspx. information; basic Economic Analysis
general public are invited to participate.
b. The EIS/EIR will analyze the DATES: The Army Corps of Engineers, by the Corps; and status of the Inner
environmental effects of construction, Inland Waterways Users Board will Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock
operations, and maintenance of the meet from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on General Re-evaluation Report.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
project. Potentially significant issues to October 5, 2016. Public registration will Availability of Materials for the
be analyzed in depth include loss of begin at 8:15 a.m. Meeting. A copy of the agenda or any
waters of the United States (including ADDRESSES: The Board meeting will be updates to the agenda for the October 5,
wetlands), cultural resources, biological conducted at the Holiday Inn Hotel 2016 meeting. The final version will be
resources, special status species, air Chicago—Tinley Park—Convention provided at the meeting. All materials
quality, hydrology and water quality, Center, 18501 Convention Center Drive, will be posted to the Web site after the
land use, Prime and Unique Farmlands, Tinley Park, IL 60477, 708–444–1100. meeting.
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Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:13:09
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:13:09
| 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 by October 7, 2016. | |
| Contact | Ms. Tanis Toland at (916) 557-6717, or by email at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 62106 |
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