81 FR 72788 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam Fish Passage Project, Dawson County, Montana
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 204 (October 21, 2016)
Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 204 (October 21, 2016)
| Page Range | 72788-72790 | |
| FR Document | 2016-25375 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 204 (Friday, October 21, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 72788-72790] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-25375] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam Fish Passage Project, Dawson County, Montana AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD; Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and Reclamation, as joint lead agencies, have prepared and made available the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam Fish Passage Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS). The Final EIS analyzes and discloses potential effects associated with the proposed Federal action to improve passage for endangered pallid sturgeon and other native fish at Intake Diversion Dam in the lower Yellowstone River while continuing the effective and viable operation of the Lower Yellowstone Project. DATES: The Corps and Reclamation will not issue a final decision on the proposed action until at least 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes notice of availability of the Final EIS. After the Final EIS has been available for 30 days, the Corps and Reclamation may complete a Record of Decision. The Record of Decision will state the action that the Corps and Reclamation select for implementation and will discuss factors considered in the decision. ADDRESSES: The Final EIS may be viewed on Reclamation's Web site at www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/loweryellowstone. Send requests for copies of the Final EIS to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District, ATTN: CENWO- PM-AA, 1616 Capitol Ave. Omaha, NE 68102; or email to [email protected]. See the Supplementary Information section for locations where copies of the Final EIS are available for public review. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Tiffany Vanosdall, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1616 Capitol Ave. Omaha, NE 68102, or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps and Reclamation are issuing this notice [[Page 72789]] pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA, 43 CFR parts 1500 through 1508; the Department of the Interior's NEPA regulations, 43 CFR part 46. Background Information Reclamation's Lower Yellowstone Project is located in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. Intake Diversion Dam is located approximately 70 miles upstream of the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers near Glendive, Montana. The Lower Yellowstone Project was authorized by the Secretary of the Interior on May 10, 1904. Construction of the Lower Yellowstone Project began in 1905 and included Intake Diversion Dam (also known as Yellowstone River Diversion Dam)--a wood and stone diversion dam that spans the Yellowstone River and diverts water into the Main Canal for irrigation. The Lower Yellowstone Project was authorized to provide a dependable water supply sufficient to irrigate approximately 54,000 acres of land on the benches above the west bank of the Yellowstone River. Water is also supplied to irrigate approximately 830 acres in the Intake Irrigation Project and 2,200 acres in the Savage Unit. The average annual volume of water diverted for these projects is 327,046 acre- feet. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) listed the pallid sturgeon as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1990. Best available science suggests Intake Diversion Dam impedes upstream migration of pallid sturgeon and their access to spawning and larval drift habitats. The lower Yellowstone River is considered by the Service to provide one of the best opportunities for recovery of pallid sturgeon. Section 7(a)(2) requires each Federal agency to consult on any action authorized, funded, or carried out by the agency to ensure it does not jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species. Reclamation has been in formal consultation with the Service to identify potential conservation measures to minimize adverse effects to pallid sturgeon associated with continued operation of the Lower Yellowstone Project. The Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Plan specifically identifies providing passage at Intake Diversion Dam to protect and restore pallid sturgeon populations. By providing passage at Intake Diversion Dam, approximately 165 river miles of spawning and larval drift habitat would become accessible in the Yellowstone River. Section 3109 of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act authorizes the Corps to use funding from the Missouri River Recovery and Mitigation Program to assist Reclamation in the design and construction of Reclamation's Lower Yellowstone Project at Intake, Montana for the purpose of ecosystem restoration. Planning and construction of the Intake Project is a Reasonable and Prudent Alternative for the Corps in the 2003 Missouri River Amended Biological Opinion as amended by letter exchange in 2009, 2010, and 2013. The Reclamation Act/Newlands Act of 1902 (Pub. L. 161) authorizes Reclamation to construct and maintain the facilities associated with the Lower Yellowstone Project, which includes actions or modifications necessary to comply with Federal law such as the ESA. Analysis in the Final EIS serves to support a decision on the selection of an alternative. Current and past project information and analyses can be accessed at: www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/loweryellowstone. The Corps and Reclamation are joint lead Federal agencies for the NEPA analysis process and preparation of the Final EIS. The Corps is the administrative lead for NEPA compliance activities during the preparation of the Final EIS. State, Federal, and local agencies with specialized expertise or jurisdictional responsibilities are participating as cooperating agencies. Cooperating agencies include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Western Area Power Administration; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; and the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project. The purpose of the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam Fish Passage Project is to improve passage for the endangered pallid sturgeon while continuing the effective and viable operation of the Lower Yellowstone Project, and contribute to ecosystem restoration. The Final EIS discloses the analysis of six alternatives, including a No Action Alternative. The No Action Alternative would continue the ongoing operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the Lower Yellowstone Project including diversion up to 1,374 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water through the screened headworks; rocking of the weir as needed to continue diversions during low flow periods; routine maintenance of the headworks, weir, and irrigation distribution facilities and pumps; rehabilitation of the trolley; and associated activities to comply with state and Federal law. The Rock Ramp Alternative includes abandonment of the existing weir in place; construction of a new concrete weir and shallow sloped rock ramp to improve instream fish passage; maintenance of the new weir and rock ramp, continued diversion up to 1,374 cfs through the screened headworks; and continued operation and maintenance of the irrigation distribution facilities and supplemental pumps. The Bypass Channel Alternative (Preferred Alternative) includes abandonment of the existing weir in place; construction of a new concrete weir; construction, operation, and maintenance of a two-mile long bypass channel for fish passage around the weir; placement of fill in the upstream portion of existing side channel for stabilization; continued diversion up to 1,374 cfs through the screened headworks; and continued operation and maintenance of the irrigation distribution facilities and supplemental pumps. The Modified Side Channel Alternative includes operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the existing weir and trolley; construction, operation, and maintenance of a 4.5-mile long bypass channel created by modifying the existing high-flow channel for fish passage around the weir; continued diversion up to 1,374 cfs through the screened headworks; construction, operation, and maintenance of an access bridge spanning the high-flow bypass channel; and continued operation and maintenance of the irrigation distribution facilities and supplemental pumps. The Multiple Pump Alternative includes the construction, operation, and maintenance of 5 screened surface pumping stations; removal of the existing weir; improved power infrastructure to increase capacity; land acquisition as necessary for power infrastructure and pump stations; continued diversion up to 1,374 cfs through the screened headworks and pumps as needed; and continued operation and maintenance of the irrigation distribution facilities and supplemental pumps. The Multiple Pumps with Conservation Measures Alternative includes the construction, operation, and maintenance of seven pumping stations each with six Ranney Wells (total of 42 Ranney Wells); removal of [[Page 72790]] the existing weir; construction, operation, and maintenance of wind turbines and infrastructure to provide power to pumping stations; land acquisition as necessary for power infrastructure and pump stations; diversion up to 608 cfs through the screened headworks or by pumping depending upon river flow; reconstruction of the Main Canal; installation of water conservation measures such as conversion of flood irrigation to sprinkler, lining canals, and piping laterals; and continued operation and maintenance of the irrigation distribution facilities and supplemental pumps. A Notice of Availability for the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2016 (81 FR 35754). The comment period for the Draft EIS ended on July 28, 2016. Public meetings on the Draft EIS were held on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., in Sidney, MT; Wednesday, June 29, 2016, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., in Glendive, MT; and Thursday, June 30, 2016, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., in Billings, MT. The Final EIS contains responses to all comments received and reflects comments and any additional information received during the review period. Copies of the Final EIS are available for public review at the following locations: 1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1616 Capitol Ave., Omaha, NE 68102. 2. Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Region, 2021 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101. 3. Bureau of Reclamation, Montana Area Office, 2900 4th Avenue North, #303, Billings, MT 59101. 4. Sidney Public Library, 121 3rd Avenue NW., Sidney, MT 59270. 5. Glendive Public Library, 200 S. Kendrick Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330. 6. Billings Public Library, 510 N. Broadway, Billings, MT 59101. Public Disclosure Statement Before including your address, phone number, email address, or any other personal identifying information in any communication, you should be aware that your entire communication--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can request in your communication to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. John W. Henderson, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander. Michael J. Ryan, Regional Director, Great Plains Region, Bureau of Reclamation. [FR Doc. 2016-25375 Filed 10-20-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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Carolina. The proposed JOT would be 3. Scoping and Public Involvement DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
located across the Savannah River from Process. A scoping meeting will be
Elba Island, Georgia, and would conducted to gather information on the Department of the Army, U.S. Army
increase the region’s capacity to scope of the project and the alternatives Corps of Engineers
efficiently handle the forecasted cargo. to be addressed in the EIS. Additional
The proposed JOT would include a public and agency involvement will be DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
pile supported wharf designed to sought through the implementation of a
accommodate Neo-Panamax public involvement plan and agency Bureau of Reclamation
containerships, a container storage yard,
coordination. Notice of Availability of the Final
an intermodal rail yard, gate facilities to
process entering and existing over the 4. Significant issues. Issues and Environmental Impact Statement for
road truck traffic, administrative potential impacts associated with the the Lower Yellowstone Intake
buildings, and equipment service proposed JOT that are likely to be given Diversion Dam Fish Passage Project,
facilities. The proposed JOT would also detailed analysis in the EIS include, but Dawson County, Montana
include elements common to other are not necessarily limited to: Existing
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S.
types of industrial sites, such as a water and proposed transportation Army Corps of Engineers, DoD; Bureau
tower, underground utilities, electrical infrastructure (roadways and railways), of Reclamation, Interior.
substations, backup generators, high- waters of the United States, air quality,
mast lighting, stormwater management ACTION: Notice.
noise, light, Environmental Justice,
facilities, perimeter fencing, and parking visual resources/aesthetics, general SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
areas for employees and other personal environmental concerns, cultural Engineers (Corps) and Reclamation, as
vehicles. resources, fish and wildlife values, joint lead agencies, have prepared and
Proposed transportation and utility
protected species, flood hazards, made available the Lower Yellowstone
improvements that would serve the
floodplain values, land use, recreation, Intake Diversion Dam Fish Passage
proposed JOT include a 4-lane divided
water quality, hazardous materials and Project Final Environmental Impact
highway to connect the JOT to U.S.
solid waste, socioeconomics, safety, and Statement (Final EIS). The Final EIS
Highway 17, a double track rail corridor
in general, the needs and welfare of the analyzes and discloses potential effects
to connect the JOT’s intermodal rail
people. associated with the proposed Federal
yard to existing CSX Transportation and
action to improve passage for
Norfolk Southern rail lines, a new rail 5. Additional Review and
bridge across the Savannah River, and endangered pallid sturgeon and other
Consultation. Additional review and native fish at Intake Diversion Dam in
utility lines and intermediary facilities consultation, which will be
to connect to existing services (water, the lower Yellowstone River while
incorporated into the preparation of the continuing the effective and viable
sewer, electricity, etc). Likewise, EIS, will include, but will not
navigation improvements associated operation of the Lower Yellowstone
necessarily be limited to, Section 14 of Project.
with the proposed JOT include new the RHA; Section 401 of the CWA;
work and maintenance dredging of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) DATES: The Corps and Reclamation will
berths, an access channel, and a turning not issue a final decision on the
consultation requirements of the
basin to provide vessel access to the proposed action until at least 30 days
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
terminal, and shoreline stabilization, after the date that the Environmental
bulkhead, and wharf construction Conservation and Management Act; the
Protection Agency publishes notice of
adjacent to the existing Savannah Endangered Species Act; Fish and availability of the Final EIS. After the
Harbor federal navigation channel. Wildlife Coordination Act; National Final EIS has been available for 30 days,
According to the JOT Joint Venture, a Historic Preservation Act; and the South the Corps and Reclamation may
separate feasibility study will evaluate Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act. complete a Record of Decision. The
the costs and benefits of modifications 6. Availability of the Draft EIS. At this Record of Decision will state the action
to the existing Savannah Harbor Federal time, the Corps expects the Draft EIS to that the Corps and Reclamation select
navigation channel. Should this be made available to the public in late for implementation and will discuss
feasibility study or the Corps’ analysis fall/winter 2020. A Public Hearing will factors considered in the decision.
of the proposed JOT determine that be held during the public comment ADDRESSES: The Final EIS may be
modifications to the federal navigation period for the Draft EIS. viewed on Reclamation’s Web site at
channel are required to operate the www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/
proposed marine container terminal, Matthew W. Luzzatto, loweryellowstone. Send requests for
potential impacts to the human and Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Corps of copies of the Final EIS to U.S. Army
natural environment (e.g., aquatic Engineers, Charleston District. Corps of Engineers Omaha District,
resources) associated with any [FR Doc. 2016–25519 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am] ATTN: CENWO–PM–AA, 1616 Capitol
navigational improvements will be BILLING CODE 3720–58–P Ave. Omaha, NE 68102; or email to
evaluated and included in the EIS for cenwo-planning@usace.army.mil. See
the proposed JOT. the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
2. Alternatives. A range of reasonable
for locations where copies of the Final
alternatives to the proposed action will
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
EIS are available for public review.
be identified, and fully evaluated in the
EIS, including: The No-Action FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Alternative, the applicant’s proposed Tiffany Vanosdall, U.S. Army Corps of
alternative, and alternatives that may Engineers, 1616 Capitol Ave. Omaha,
result in avoidance and minimization of NE 68102, or tiffany.k.vanosdall@
impacts; however, this list in not usace.army.mil.
exclusive and additional alternatives SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps
may be considered for inclusion. and Reclamation are issuing this notice
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![72790 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Notices
the existing weir; construction, cannot guarantee that we will be able to Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
operation, and maintenance of wind do so. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
turbines and infrastructure to provide public and Federal agencies with an
John W. Henderson,
power to pumping stations; land opportunity to comment on proposed,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District revised, and continuing collections of
acquisition as necessary for power Commander.
infrastructure and pump stations; information. This helps the Department
Michael J. Ryan, assess the impact of its information
diversion up to 608 cfs through the
Regional Director, Great Plains Region, collection requirements and minimize
screened headworks or by pumping Bureau of Reclamation.
depending upon river flow; the public’s reporting burden. It also
[FR Doc. 2016–25375 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am] helps the public understand the
reconstruction of the Main Canal; BILLING CODE 3720–58–P Department’s information collection
installation of water conservation
requirements and provide the requested
measures such as conversion of flood data in the desired format. ED is
irrigation to sprinkler, lining canals, and DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION soliciting comments on the proposed
piping laterals; and continued operation information collection request (ICR) that
and maintenance of the irrigation [Docket No.: ED–2016–ICCD–0110]
is described below. The Department of
distribution facilities and supplemental Education is especially interested in
Agency Information Collection
pumps. public comment addressing the
Activities; Submission to the Office of
A Notice of Availability for the Draft Management and Budget for Review following issues: (1) Is this collection
EIS was published in the Federal and Approval; Comment Request; necessary to the proper functions of the
Register on June 3, 2016 (81 FR 35754). Application for New Grants Under the Department; (2) will this information be
The comment period for the Draft EIS Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate processed and used in a timely manner;
ended on July 28, 2016. Public meetings Achievement Program (1890–0001) (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
on the Draft EIS were held on Tuesday, (4) how might the Department enhance
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary the quality, utility, and clarity of the
June 28, 2016, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., in
Education (OPE), Department of information to be collected; and (5) how
Sidney, MT; Wednesday, June 29, 2016, Education (ED). might the Department minimize the
from 5:30 to 9 p.m., in Glendive, MT;
ACTION: Notice. burden of this collection on the
and Thursday, June 30, 2016, from 5:30 respondents, including through the use
to 9 p.m., in Billings, MT. The Final EIS SUMMARY: In accordance with the of information technology. Please note
contains responses to all comments Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 that written comments received in
received and reflects comments and any U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is response to this notice will be
additional information received during proposing a reinstatement of a considered public records.
the review period. previously approved information Title of Collection: Application for
Copies of the Final EIS are available collection. New Grants Under the Ronald E.
for public review at the following DATES: Interested persons are invited to McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement
locations: submit comments on or before Program.
November 21, 2016. OMB Control Number: 1840–0619.
1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1616 Type of Review: A reinstatement of a
ADDRESSES: To access and review all the
Capitol Ave., Omaha, NE 68102. previously approved information
documents related to the information
2. Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains collection listed in this notice, please collection.
Region, 2021 4th Avenue North, Respondents/Affected Public: State,
use http://www.regulations.gov by
Billings, MT 59101. Local, and Tribal Governments.
searching the Docket ID number ED– Total Estimated Number of Annual
3. Bureau of Reclamation, Montana 2016–ICCD–0110. Comments submitted Responses: 350.
Area Office, 2900 4th Avenue North, in response to this notice should be Total Estimated Number of Annual
#303, Billings, MT 59101. submitted electronically through the Burden Hours: 13,960.
Federal eRulemaking Portal at http:// Abstract: The Department of
4. Sidney Public Library, 121 3rd
www.regulations.gov by selecting the Education is requesting a reinstatement
Avenue NW., Sidney, MT 59270.
Docket ID number or via postal mail, with change of a previously approved
5. Glendive Public Library, 200 S. commercial delivery, or hand delivery. collection of information entitled
Kendrick Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330. Please note that comments submitted by Application for New Awards under the
6. Billings Public Library, 510 N. fax or email and those submitted after Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate
Broadway, Billings, MT 59101. the comment period will not be Achievement (McNair) Program. This
accepted. Written requests for application will be used to award new
Public Disclosure Statement information or comments submitted by grants and collect data under the
postal mail or delivery should be McNair program. which provides grants
Before including your address, phone addressed to the Director of the
number, email address, or any other to institutions of higher education and
Information Collection Clearance combinations of such institutions to
personal identifying information in any Division, U.S. Department of Education,
communication, you should be aware prepare low-income, first-generation
400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room college students, and students from
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
that your entire communication— 2E–347, Washington, DC 20202–4537. groups underrepresented in graduate
including your personal identifying FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For education, for doctoral study. Two of
information—may be made publicly specific questions related to collection the three previously used competitive
available at any time. While you can activities, please contact Carmen preference priorities have been removed
request in your communication to Gordon, 202–453–7311. while one remains unchanged in
withhold your personal identifying SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The anticipation of the FY 2017 competition.
information from public review, we Department of Education (ED), in The cost burden to the Federal
accordance with the Paperwork Government, which was reported as
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Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:35:53
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:35:53
| 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. | |
| Dates | The Corps and Reclamation will not issue a final decision on the proposed action until at least 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes notice of availability of the Final EIS. After the Final EIS has been available for 30 days, the Corps and Reclamation may complete a Record of Decision. The Record of Decision will state the action that the Corps and Reclamation select for implementation and will discuss factors considered in the decision. | |
| Contact | Ms. Tiffany Vanosdall, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1616 Capitol Ave. Omaha, NE 68102, or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 72788 |
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