82 FR 22814 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Integrated General Reevaluation Report and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico: Mountain View, Isleta and Belen Units

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 95 (May 18, 2017)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) intends to prepare a General Reevaluation Report and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (GRR/SEIS). This is in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for the Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico Project (Project). This also is the implementation of actions to avoid or minimize potential effects to Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed species and/or associated critical habitat. The GRR/SEIS will supplement the May 1979, Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico, Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). That document assessed impacts from alternatives to reduce flood risk to structures, infrastructure and life safety. The previously proposed alternative included reconstructing the existing spoil bank system maintained by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) with structurally competent levee system.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 95 (Thursday, May 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22814-22815]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10075]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Integrated General 
Reevaluation Report and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, 
Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico: 
Mountain View, Isleta and Belen Units

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) intends to prepare a 
General Reevaluation Report and Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (GRR/SEIS). This is in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for the Middle Rio Grande Flood 
Protection Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico Project (Project). This also 
is the implementation of actions to avoid or minimize potential effects 
to Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed species and/or associated 
critical habitat. The GRR/SEIS will supplement the May 1979, Middle Rio 
Grande Flood Protection Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico, Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). That document assessed impacts 
from alternatives to reduce flood risk to structures, infrastructure 
and life safety. The

[[Page 22815]]

previously proposed alternative included reconstructing the existing 
spoil bank system maintained by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy 
District (MRGCD) with structurally competent levee system.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Albuquerque District, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, CESPA-PM-LE, Bernalillo to Belen Levee GRR/SEIS, 
4101 Jefferson Plaza NE., Albuquerque, NM 87109, or submitted via email 
to [email protected], designated by inserting 
``Bernalillo to Belen Levee SEIS'' in the subject line. Comments may 
also be submitted at public meetings that will be scheduled at a later 
date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and SEIS can be answered by contacting Dr. Michael D. Porter, Fishery 
Biologist, Albuquerque District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CESPA-
PM-LE, 4101 Jefferson Plaza NE., Albuquerque, NM 87109, by phone at 
(505) 342-3264; or via email to [email protected] 
designated by including ``Bernalillo to Belen Levee SEIS'' in the 
subject line.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The original spoil banks were constructed by 
MRGCD as part of their authority to drain wetlands and deliver 
irrigation water.
    Preparation of this GRR/SEIS became necessary due to the changes 
that have occurred since the project was authorized as described below. 
A longer period of record for hydrological data is now available to 
allow improved and updated hydrological analysis. New levee design 
criteria that address long duration flows have also been adopted by the 
Corps in 1993. Any proposed plan now has to incorporate new design 
features that prevent seepage through the levee or its foundation due 
to prolonged flow against the riverward toe. The Corps has adopted a 
probabilistic determination of flood risk to perform levee design. 
Three species that have been listed as threatened or endangered since 
1994 occur within the study area (two with critical habitat). These 
include the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, the Southwestern Willow 
Flycatcher, and the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow.
    The GRR/SEIS will investigate and determine the extent of Federal 
interest in a range of alternative plans designed to reduce the risk of 
flooding in the communities between Albuquerque and Belen. The GRR/SEIS 
will describe the risk of flooding in the communities between 
Albuquerque and Belen; evaluate a range of alternatives to reduce flood 
risk and potential environmental impacts; and describe measures to 
minimize or mitigate for potential environmental impacts.
    On November 27, 1995, the Corps published the notice of intent 
(NOI) to prepare the SEIS for the MRG GRR study in the Federal Register 
(Vol. 60, No. 227).
    Previously Proposed Action: The Corps has previously proposed a 
Tentatively Selected Plan for the Project to rehabilitate the spoil 
bank system with an engineered levee in four Middle Rio Grande Units. 
The levee for the Mountain View (4.4 miles), Isleta West (3.2 miles), 
Belen East (18.1 miles), and Belen West Units (22.1 miles) are designed 
to provide protection for the 0.1% probability flood. The Corps 
initiated consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service) on the effects of the Project on species listed under the 
ESA. As part of that consultation, the Corps has proposed several 
conservation measures that would modify structures or operation and 
maintenance of the Project. The Service is preparing a Biological 
Opinion (BiOp) and the Corps expects that the Service may incorporate 
the conservation measures as part of the BiOp. The Corps will need to 
complete applicable environmental compliance, including evaluation 
under NEPA, prior to adopting and implementing any terms and conditions 
in the BiOp. The proposed GRR/SEIS would constitute that evaluation 
under NEPA. The Corps has proposed several measures to improve 
conditions for listed species, including the actions described in the 
Public Involvement Process section below, subject to authority and 
funding:
    Public Involvement Process: Coordination has been ongoing since 
2008 with both public and private entities that have jurisdiction or an 
interest in land and resources in the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New 
Mexico. These entities include the general public, local governments, 
the Pueblo of Isleta, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Service, the 
MRGCD, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and the Interstate 
Stream Commission. Coordination will continue throughout the 
development of the SEIS through comment letters, public meetings and 
field visits. All interested parties, including federal, state, tribal, 
and public entities, will be invited to submit comments on the draft 
SEIS when it is circulated for review.
    The planning effort is also being coordinated with the Service 
pursuant to the requirements of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act 
of 1972 and the ESA of 1973, as amended. Consultation with the Advisory 
Council on Historic Preservation and the New Mexico State Historic 
Preservation Officer is ongoing pursuant to the National Historic 
Preservation Act of 1966.
    Significant Issues To Be Analyzed: Significant issues to be 
analyzed in the development of the SEIS include the effect of the 
alternatives on endangered or threatened species and their critical 
habitat; floodplain development; water quality; riparian ecological 
systems; social welfare; human safety; cultural resources; and 
aesthetic qualities. Development of mitigation measures will be 
undertaken for any unavoidable impacts.
    Request for Review Comments: The Corps invites affected federal, 
state, and local agencies, affected Native American tribes, and other 
interested organizations and persons to participate in the review of 
the GRR/SEIS. The Corps invites interested parties to provide specific 
comments on issues and the preferred alternative in the GRR/SEIS 
related to the construction of the Project. Comments, requests to be 
placed on the GRR/SEIS mailing list, and requests for information may 
be submitted to the address above. All comments and materials received, 
including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative 
record and may be released to the public. Interested parties should not 
submit confidential business or otherwise sensitive or protected 
information.
    Public Scoping Meeting: The Corps currently plans to conduct public 
review meetings for this GRR/SEIS in 2017. The exact date, time, and 
location of the public meetings has not yet been determined. The Corps 
will publicize this information once the meeting arrangements have been 
made. The draft GRR/SEIS is currently scheduled to be available for 
public review in summer 2017. The final GRR/SEIS is currently scheduled 
to be available for public review in spring 2018.

James L. Booth,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 2017-10075 Filed 5-17-17; 8:45 am]
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