81 FR 9877 - Fisheries and Habitat Conservation; Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Ballville Dam Project on the Sandusky River, Sandusky County, Ohio
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 38 (February 26, 2016)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 38 (February 26, 2016)
| Page Range | 9877-9878 | |
| FR Document | 2016-04134 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 9877-9878] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-04134] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R3-FHC-2016-N110]; [FXFR13340300000-145-FF03F00000] Fisheries and Habitat Conservation; Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Ballville Dam Project on the Sandusky River, Sandusky County, Ohio AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; announcement of meeting; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) that has been prepared to evaluate the Ballville Dam Project, in Sandusky County, Ohio, in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We are also announcing a public meeting and requesting public comments. DATES: Submitting Comments: We will consider all comments regarding the draft SEIS received or postmarked by April 11, 2016 and respond to them as appropriate. Public Meeting: We will conduct a public meeting in Fremont, Ohio, on March 15, 2016, from 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to present comments, ask questions, and discuss issues with Service staff and our cooperating agencies regarding the draft SEIS. ADDRESSES: Submitting Comments: You may submit comments on the draft SEIS by any one of the following methods:U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Brian Elkington, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fisheries, 5600 American Boulevard West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437-1458. Email: [email protected]. Fax: (612) 713-5289 (Attention: Brian Elkington). Viewing Comments by the Environmental Protection Agency: For how to view comments on the draft SEIS from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or for information on EPA's role in the EIS process, see EPA's Role in the EIS Process under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Public Meeting: The meeting will take place at Terra State Community College, Neeley Center, 2830 Napoleon Road, Fremont, Ohio, 43420. A hard copy of the draft SEIS and associated documents will be available for review at the Birchard Public Library, 423 Croghan Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420, as well as online at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/fisheries/ballville-dam.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Elkington, (612) 713-5168. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8337 for TTY assistance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We announce the availability of a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) that has been prepared to evaluate the Ballville Dam Project, in Sandusky County, Ohio, in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We are also announcing a public meeting and requesting public comments. Background Ballville Dam was built in 1913 for hydroelectric power generation. The City of Fremont purchased the dam in 1959 from the Ohio Power Company for the purpose of supplying water to the city. With the construction of a raw water reservoir, the dam is no longer required for this purpose. Moreover, in 2007, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued a Notice of Violation to the City, stating that the dam was being operated in violation of the law as a result of its deteriorated condition. Ballville Dam is currently a complete barrier to upstream fish passage and impedes hydrologic processes. The purpose for the issuance of Federal funds and preparation of this Draft SEIS is to remove Ballville Dam and restore natural hydrological processes over a 40-mile stretch of the Sandusky River, reopen fish passage to 22 miles of additional habitat, restore flow conditions for fish access to habitat above the impoundment, and improve overall conditions for native fish communities in the Sandusky River system, restoring self-sustaining fish resources. We published a final EIS in the Federal Register on August 1, 2014 (79 FR 44856), for the Ballville Dam Project that addressed the environmental, economic, cultural and historical, and safety issues associated with the proposed removal of the dam and a suite of alternatives. The final EIS analyzed four alternatives for the removal: (1) Proposed Action--Incremental Dam Removal with Ice Control Structure; (2) No Federal Action; (3) Fish Elevator Structure; and (4) Dam Removal with Ice Control Structure. The final EIS considered the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the alternatives, including any measures under the Proposed Action alternative intended to minimize and mitigate such impacts. The final EIS also identified additional alternatives that were considered, but were eliminated from consideration as detailed in Section 2.3 of the final EIS. Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement This draft SEIS provides further discussion of the potential significant impacts of the proposed action and an analysis of reasonable alternatives to the [[Page 9878]] proposed action, specifically within the context of additional information made available since completion of final EIS for this project. This additional information addresses estimates of total quantity of sediment impounded by Ballville Dam, the potential impacts of the proposed alternative on harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Sandusky River and Lake Erie due to the proposed sediment release, the potential impacts of the proposed alternative on downstream habitats due to sediment release, the accuracy of cost estimates of sediment removal within the EIS, evaluation of a bypass and excavation alternative provided in comments on the FEIS, and the potential for beneficial reuse of sediments impounded by Ballville Dam. Although we concluded that these topics were sufficiently addressed in the FEIS, we provide additional review and assessment in this Draft SEIS to help further clarify the issues. To complete this aspect of the Draft SEIS, we consulted subject matter experts to help review FEIS materials and clearly articulate our understanding of them. The resulting additional information and explanation has been incorporated within this Draft SEIS. EPA's Role in the EIS Process In addition to this notice of the draft SEIS, EPA is publishing a Federal Register notice announcing the draft SEIS, as required under section 309 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; CAA). The publication of EPA's notice is the official start of the minimum requirement for a 45-day public comment period for an EIS. The EPA is charged under the CAA to review all Federal agencies' EISs and to comment on the adequacy and the acceptability of the environmental impacts of proposed actions in the EISs. EPA also serves as the repository (EIS database) for EISs prepared by Federal agencies. The EIS database provides information about EISs prepared by Federal agencies, as well as EPA's comments concerning the EISs. All EISs are filed with EPA, which publishes a notice of availability on Fridays in the Federal Register. For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/eisdata.html. You may search for EPA comments on EISs, along with EISs themselves, at https://cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-public/action/eis/search. Public Comments Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, tribes, industry, or any other interested party on this notice. We specifically request comments regarding the additional information and analyses presented in the draft SEIS. You may submit your comments and materials considering this notice by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. Public Availability of Comments All comments and materials we receive in response to this request will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority This notice is being furnished as provided for by NEPA and its implementing Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22). The intent of the notice is to obtain suggestions and additional information from other agencies and the public on the draft SEIS. Comments and participation in this process are solicited. Dated: February 22, 2016. Kurt Schilling, Acting Assistant Regional Director, Fisheries, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 2016-04134 Filed 2-25-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 38 / Friday, February 26, 2016 / Notices 9877
[FR Doc. 2016–04066 Filed 2–25–16; 8:45 am] Notice of availability;
ACTION: statement (SEIS) that has been prepared
BILLING CODE 9110–05–P announcement of meeting; request for to evaluate the Ballville Dam Project, in
comments. Sandusky County, Ohio, in accordance
with the requirements of the National
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the are also announcing a public meeting
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
availability of a draft supplemental and requesting public comments.
[Docket No. FR–5907–N–09] environmental impact statement (SEIS)
that has been prepared to evaluate the Background
Federal Property Suitable as Facilities Ballville Dam Project, in Sandusky Ballville Dam was built in 1913 for
To Assist the Homeless County, Ohio, in accordance with the hydroelectric power generation. The
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant requirements of the National City of Fremont purchased the dam in
Secretary for Community Planning and Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We 1959 from the Ohio Power Company for
Development, HUD. are also announcing a public meeting the purpose of supplying water to the
ACTION: Notice. and requesting public comments. city. With the construction of a raw
DATES: water reservoir, the dam is no longer
SUMMARY: This Notice identifies Submitting Comments: We will required for this purpose. Moreover, in
unutilized, underutilized, excess, and consider all comments regarding the 2007, the Ohio Department of Natural
surplus Federal property reviewed by draft SEIS received or postmarked by Resources issued a Notice of Violation
HUD for suitability for possible use to April 11, 2016 and respond to them as to the City, stating that the dam was
assist the homeless. appropriate. being operated in violation of the law as
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Meeting: We will conduct a a result of its deteriorated condition.
Juanita Perry, Department of Housing public meeting in Fremont, Ohio, on Ballville Dam is currently a complete
and Urban Development, 451 Seventh March 15, 2016, from 7 to 9 p.m. The barrier to upstream fish passage and
Street SW., Room 7262, Washington, DC meeting will provide the public with an impedes hydrologic processes. The
20410; telephone (202) 402–3970; TTY opportunity to present comments, ask purpose for the issuance of Federal
number for the hearing- and speech- questions, and discuss issues with funds and preparation of this Draft SEIS
impaired (202) 708–2565, (these Service staff and our cooperating is to remove Ballville Dam and restore
telephone numbers are not toll-free), or agencies regarding the draft SEIS. natural hydrological processes over a
call the toll-free title V information line 40-mile stretch of the Sandusky River,
ADDRESSES:
at 800–927–7588. reopen fish passage to 22 miles of
Submitting Comments: You may
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
additional habitat, restore flow
submit comments on the draft SEIS by
accordance with the December 12, 1988 conditions for fish access to habitat
any one of the following methods:
court order in National Coalition for the • U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Brian above the impoundment, and improve
Homeless v. Veterans Administration, Elkington, U.S. Fish and Wildlife overall conditions for native fish
No. 88–2503–OG (D.D.C.), HUD Service, Fisheries, 5600 American communities in the Sandusky River
publishes a Notice, on a weekly basis, Boulevard West, Suite 990, system, restoring self-sustaining fish
identifying unutilized, underutilized, Bloomington, MN 55437–1458. resources.
We published a final EIS in the
excess and surplus Federal buildings • Email: Ballvilledam@fws.gov.
Federal Register on August 1, 2014 (79
and real property that HUD has • Fax: (612) 713–5289 (Attention:
FR 44856), for the Ballville Dam Project
reviewed for suitability for use to assist Brian Elkington).
that addressed the environmental,
the homeless. Today’s Notice is for the Viewing Comments by the
economic, cultural and historical, and
purpose of announcing that no Environmental Protection Agency: For
safety issues associated with the
additional properties have been how to view comments on the draft
proposed removal of the dam and a
determined suitable or unsuitable this SEIS from the Environmental Protection
suite of alternatives. The final EIS
week. Agency (EPA), or for information on
analyzed four alternatives for the
Dated: February 18, 2016. EPA’s role in the EIS process, see EPA’s
removal: (1) Proposed Action—
Brian P. Fitzmaurice, Role in the EIS Process under
Incremental Dam Removal with Ice
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Director, Division of Community Assistance, Control Structure; (2) No Federal
Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs. Public Meeting: The meeting will take
place at Terra State Community College, Action; (3) Fish Elevator Structure; and
[FR Doc. 2016–03911 Filed 2–25–16; 8:45 am] Neeley Center, 2830 Napoleon Road, (4) Dam Removal with Ice Control
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P Fremont, Ohio, 43420. A hard copy of Structure. The final EIS considered the
the draft SEIS and associated documents direct, indirect, and cumulative effects
will be available for review at the of the alternatives, including any
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Birchard Public Library, 423 Croghan measures under the Proposed Action
Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420, as well as alternative intended to minimize and
Fish and Wildlife Service online at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ mitigate such impacts. The final EIS
fisheries/ballville-dam.html. also identified additional alternatives
[FWS–R3–FHC–2016–N110]; that were considered, but were
[FXFR13340300000–145–FF03F00000] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
eliminated from consideration as
Brian Elkington, (612) 713–5168.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Fisheries and Habitat Conservation; detailed in Section 2.3 of the final EIS.
Individuals who are hearing impaired or
Draft Supplemental Environmental speech impaired may call the Federal Draft Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement for the Ballville Dam Relay Service at (800) 877–8337 for TTY Impact Statement
Project on the Sandusky River, assistance. This draft SEIS provides further
Sandusky County, Ohio
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We discussion of the potential significant
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft impacts of the proposed action and an
Interior. supplemental environmental impact analysis of reasonable alternatives to the
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![9878 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 38 / Friday, February 26, 2016 / Notices
proposed action, specifically within the expressed or are known to have interest ACTION: Notice of a renewal of a
context of additional information made in this proposal. To ensure that the full currently approved information
available since completion of final EIS range of issues related to this proposed collection (1028–0060).
for this project. This additional action are addressed and all significant
information addresses estimates of total issues identified, comments and SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Geological
quantity of sediment impounded by suggestions are invited from all Survey) will ask the Office of
Ballville Dam, the potential impacts of interested parties. Management and Budget (OMB) to
the proposed alternative on harmful We request data, comments, new approve the information collection (IC)
algal blooms (HABs) in the Sandusky information, or suggestions from the described below. This collection
River and Lake Erie due to the proposed public, concerned governmental consists of 1 form. As required by the
sediment release, the potential impacts agencies, the scientific community, Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
of the proposed alternative on tribes, industry, or any other interested 1995, and as part of our continuing
downstream habitats due to sediment party on this notice. We specifically efforts to reduce paperwork and
release, the accuracy of cost estimates of request comments regarding the respondent burden, we invite the
sediment removal within the EIS, additional information and analyses general public and other Federal
evaluation of a bypass and excavation presented in the draft SEIS. agencies to take this opportunity to
alternative provided in comments on You may submit your comments and comment on this IC. This collection is
the FEIS, and the potential for beneficial materials considering this notice by one scheduled to expire on June 30, 2016.
reuse of sediments impounded by of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES DATES: To ensure that your comments
Ballville Dam. Although we concluded section. are considered, we must receive them
that these topics were sufficiently on or before April 26, 2016.
Public Availability of Comments ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
addressed in the FEIS, we provide
additional review and assessment in All comments and materials we on this information collection to the
this Draft SEIS to help further clarify the receive in response to this request will Information Collection Clearance
issues. To complete this aspect of the be available for public inspection, by Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201
Draft SEIS, we consulted subject matter appointment, during normal business Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 807, Reston,
experts to help review FEIS materials hours at the address listed in the VA 20192 (mail); (703) 648–7197 (fax);
and clearly articulate our understanding ADDRESSES section of this notice. or gs-info_collections@usgs.gov (email).
of them. The resulting additional Before including your address, phone Please reference ‘Information Collection
information and explanation has been number, email address, or other 1028–0060, Mine, Development, and
incorporated within this Draft SEIS. personal identifying information in your Mineral Exploration Supplement in all
comment, you should be aware that correspondence.
EPA’s Role in the EIS Process your entire comment—including your FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
In addition to this notice of the draft personal identifying information—may Shonta E. Osborne, National Minerals
SEIS, EPA is publishing a Federal be made publicly available at any time. Information Center, U.S. Geological
Register notice announcing the draft While you can ask us in your comment Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive,
SEIS, as required under section 309 of to withhold your personal identifying Mail Stop 985, Reston, VA 20192 (mail);
the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et information from public review, we 703–648–7960 (phone); or sosborne@
seq.; CAA). The publication of EPA’s cannot guarantee that we will be able to usgs.gov (email). You may also find
notice is the official start of the do so. information about this ICR at
minimum requirement for a 45-day www.reginfo.gov.
public comment period for an EIS. The Authority
EPA is charged under the CAA to This notice is being furnished as SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
review all Federal agencies’ EISs and to provided for by NEPA and its I. Abstract
comment on the adequacy and the implementing Regulations (40 CFR
acceptability of the environmental 1501.7 and 1508.22). The intent of the Respondents to this form supply the
impacts of proposed actions in the EISs. notice is to obtain suggestions and USGS with domestic production,
EPA also serves as the repository (EIS additional information from other exploration, and mine development data
database) for EISs prepared by Federal agencies and the public on the draft for nonfuel mineral commodities. This
agencies. The EIS database provides SEIS. Comments and participation in information will be published as an
information about EISs prepared by this process are solicited. Annual Report for use by Government
Federal agencies, as well as EPA’s agencies, industry, education programs,
Dated: February 22, 2016. and the general public.
comments concerning the EISs. All EISs Kurt Schilling,
are filed with EPA, which publishes a Acting Assistant Regional Director, Fisheries, II. Data
notice of availability on Fridays in the Midwest Region. OMB Control Number: 1028–0060.
Federal Register. For more information, [FR Doc. 2016–04134 Filed 2–25–16; 8:45 am] Form Number: USGS Form 9–4000–A.
see http://www.epa.gov/compliance/ Title: Mine, Development, and
BILLING CODE P
nepa/eisdata.html. You may search for Mineral Exploration Supplement.
EPA comments on EISs, along with EISs Type of Request: Renewal of existing
themselves, at https:// DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR information collection.
cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-public/ Affected Public: Business or Other-
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
action/eis/search. U.S. Geological Survey For-Profit Institutions: U.S. nonfuel
Public Comments minerals producers and exploration
[GX16LR000F60100]
operations.
Letters describing the proposed action Respondent’s Obligation: None.
Agency Information Collection
and soliciting comments will be sent to Participation is voluntary.
Activities: Request for Comments
appropriate Federal, State, and local Frequency of Collection: Annually.
agencies, and to private organizations AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Estimated Total Number of Annual
and citizens who have previously Interior. Responses: 828.
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Document Created: 2018-02-02 14:36:51
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 14:36:51
| 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 availability; announcement of meeting; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Submitting Comments: We will consider all comments regarding the draft SEIS received or postmarked by April 11, 2016 and respond to them as appropriate. | |
| Contact | Brian Elkington, (612) 713-5168. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8337 for TTY assistance. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 9877 |
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