82 FR 55830 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Detroit Dam Downstream Passage Project
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 225 (November 24, 2017)
Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 225 (November 24, 2017)
| Page Range | 55830-55831 | |
| FR Document | 2017-25398 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 225 (Friday, November 24, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 55830-55831] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-25398] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Detroit Dam Downstream Passage Project AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The purpose of this EIS is to analyze effects to the human environment associated with the Corps efforts to enhance juvenile passage of Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed Upper Willamette River (UWR) spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead through Detroit Dam to reaches downstream of the dam; and to modify temperatures in the North Santiam and main stem Santiam Rivers, below Detroit Dam, with the objective of replicating pre-reservoir water temperatures. These actions are part of the Corps implementation of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2008 Biological Opinions (BiOp) for the continued operations and maintenance of the Willamette Valley Project. The Corps will serve as the lead federal agency for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). DATES: Written comments for consideration in the development of the scope of the NEPA EIS are due to the addresses below no later than January 8, 2018. Comments may also be made at the public scoping meetings as noted below. ADDRESSES: Mailed comments may be sent to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, P.O. Box 2946, Attn: CENWP-PM-E, Portland, Oregon 97208-2946. Email comments to: detroit.fish.passage@usace.army.mil. All comments and materials received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and may be released to the public. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the Project, the EIS, or special accommodations for scoping process participation, please contact Kelly Janes, Environmental Resources Specialist; (503) 808-4771. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Project Background. The Corps' Detroit and Big Cliff dams and reservoirs are located in Linn and Marion Counties in the Oregon Cascades, in the North Santiam River sub-basin of the Willamette River basin near the city of Detroit, Oregon. The Detroit and Big Cliff dams, both completed in 1953, form a complete barrier to upstream fish passage. This lack of access for UWR spring Chinook salmon and steelhead to the high-quality habitat upstream is a critical limiting factor for the recovery and contributes to a high or very high extinction risk. Additionally, the dam poses a significant barrier and risk for downstream migrating juvenile fish. Finally, construction and operation of Detroit Dam has altered the pre-dam seasonal thermal regimes in the North Santiam River. Detroit Dam operations have resulted in cooler downstream water temperatures in the spring and summer then were experienced before the dam was built. Detroit Dam operations also result in warmer downstream temperatures in the fall and winter compared to pre-dam conditions. The altered temperature regime negatively affects the productivity of UWR spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead in the lower North Santiam River, and has been identified as one of the most critical limiting factors for species recovery. Detroit and Big Cliff dams and reservoirs are included in the 13 multipurpose dams and reservoirs the Corps operates and maintains in the Willamette River Basin in Oregon, collectively referred to as the Willamette Project. The listing of several species under the ESA required the Corps to perform an assessment of the effects of operating the Willamette Project on listed species. Based on this assessment, the NMFS released a BiOp in 2008, which identified measures that it believed would avoid jeopardizing the existence of ESA listed fish in the Willamette basin, referred to as measures in the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA). Measure 4.12.3 of the RPA requires downstream fish passage at Detroit Dam. Measure 5.2 of the RPA requires the minimization of water quality effects associated with operations of Detroit and Big Cliff dams by making structural modifications or major operational changes. The BiOp acknowledges that, if feasible, there might be cost-savings and reduced effects if addressing both RPA measures were be achieved through one construction project. Proposed Project. The Corps is developing a project to provide downstream juvenile fish passage for UWR Chinook and steelhead as well as to provide temperature control at Detroit Dam. The purposes of the proposed project is to enhance juvenile passage of UWR spring Chinook and winter steelhead on the North Santiam to reaches downstream of the dams; and to modify temperatures on the North Santiam and main stem Santiam Rivers, below Detroit Dam, with the objective of replicating pre-reservoir water temperatures for UWR spring Chinook and UWR winter steelhead habitat. Alternatives. The project will be developed in a manner that is consistent with sound engineering practice and meets all applicable federal environmental laws. In addition to the No Action Alternative, in which case dam operations will continue in the absence of the Project, structural and operational alternatives considered will include, but are not limited to: Optimizing operations, upgrading current structures, and constructing new structures adjacent to the Detroit Dam in Detroit Reservoir. Additional alternatives could be developed during the scoping and evaluation process. Scoping Process/Public Involvement. The Corps invites all affected federal, state, and local agencies, affected Native American Tribes, other interested parties, and the general public to participate in the NEPA process during development of the EIS. The purpose of the public scoping process is to provide information to the public, narrow the scope of analysis to significant environmental issues, serve as a mechanism to solicit agency and public input on alternatives and issues of concern, and ensure full and open participation in scoping of the Draft EIS. Two public scoping meetings are scheduled for December 2017. The specific dates, times, and locations of the meetings are provided below. Upon completion of the scoping process, the Draft EIS will be circulated for public review and comment. The Corps expects to release the Draft EIS for public review and comment in 2019. The Corps will issue a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register announcing the release of the Draft EIS for public comment through the local news media. Documents and other important information related to the EIS will be available for review on the Corps' project Web site. [[Page 55831]] Public Scoping Meetings:Thursday, December 14, 2017, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the South Salem High School Library located at 1910 Church Street SE., Salem, OR 97302. Tuesday, December 19, 2017, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Gates Fire Hall located at 140 East Sorbin Street, Gates, Oregon 97346. Additional information related to the public scoping process will be provided through advertisements placed in regional newspapers of general circulation, Public Notice, and on the project Web site at https://nwp.usace.army.mil/Willamette/Detroit/fish-passage/. Aaron L. Dorf, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander. [FR Doc. 2017-25398 Filed 11-22-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
![55830 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 225 / Friday, November 24, 2017 / Notices
including, but not limited to, being FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For acknowledges that, if feasible, there
posted on the RFPB’s Web site. questions regarding the Project, the EIS, might be cost-savings and reduced
Dated: November 20, 2017. or special accommodations for scoping effects if addressing both RPA measures
Aaron Siegel,
process participation, please contact were be achieved through one
Kelly Janes, Environmental Resources construction project.
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Proposed Project. The Corps is
Officer, Department of Defense.
Specialist; (503) 808–4771.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: developing a project to provide
[FR Doc. 2017–25431 Filed 11–22–17; 8:45 am]
Project Background. The Corps’ downstream juvenile fish passage for
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P UWR Chinook and steelhead as well as
Detroit and Big Cliff dams and
reservoirs are located in Linn and to provide temperature control at Detroit
Marion Counties in the Oregon Dam. The purposes of the proposed
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE project is to enhance juvenile passage of
Cascades, in the North Santiam River
Department of the Army, Army Corps sub-basin of the Willamette River basin UWR spring Chinook and winter
of Engineers near the city of Detroit, Oregon. The steelhead on the North Santiam to
Detroit and Big Cliff dams, both reaches downstream of the dams; and to
Notice of Intent To Prepare an completed in 1953, form a complete modify temperatures on the North
Environmental Impact Statement for barrier to upstream fish passage. This Santiam and main stem Santiam Rivers,
the Detroit Dam Downstream Passage lack of access for UWR spring Chinook below Detroit Dam, with the objective of
Project replicating pre-reservoir water
salmon and steelhead to the high-
temperatures for UWR spring Chinook
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. quality habitat upstream is a critical
and UWR winter steelhead habitat.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. limiting factor for the recovery and Alternatives. The project will be
contributes to a high or very high developed in a manner that is consistent
ACTION: Notice of intent. extinction risk. Additionally, the dam with sound engineering practice and
SUMMARY: The Portland District, U.S. poses a significant barrier and risk for meets all applicable federal
Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) downstream migrating juvenile fish. environmental laws. In addition to the
intends to prepare an Environmental Finally, construction and operation of No Action Alternative, in which case
Impact Statement (EIS). The purpose of Detroit Dam has altered the pre-dam dam operations will continue in the
this EIS is to analyze effects to the seasonal thermal regimes in the North absence of the Project, structural and
human environment associated with the Santiam River. Detroit Dam operations operational alternatives considered will
Corps efforts to enhance juvenile have resulted in cooler downstream include, but are not limited to:
passage of Endangered Species Act water temperatures in the spring and Optimizing operations, upgrading
(ESA) listed Upper Willamette River summer then were experienced before current structures, and constructing new
(UWR) spring Chinook salmon and the dam was built. Detroit Dam structures adjacent to the Detroit Dam in
winter steelhead through Detroit Dam to operations also result in warmer Detroit Reservoir. Additional
reaches downstream of the dam; and to downstream temperatures in the fall and alternatives could be developed during
modify temperatures in the North winter compared to pre-dam conditions. the scoping and evaluation process.
Santiam and main stem Santiam Rivers, The altered temperature regime Scoping Process/Public Involvement.
below Detroit Dam, with the objective of negatively affects the productivity of The Corps invites all affected federal,
replicating pre-reservoir water UWR spring Chinook salmon and winter state, and local agencies, affected Native
temperatures. These actions are part of steelhead in the lower North Santiam American Tribes, other interested
the Corps implementation of the River, and has been identified as one of parties, and the general public to
National Marine Fisheries Service the most critical limiting factors for participate in the NEPA process during
(NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife species recovery. development of the EIS. The purpose of
Service (USFWS) 2008 Biological Detroit and Big Cliff dams and the public scoping process is to provide
Opinions (BiOp) for the continued reservoirs are included in the 13 information to the public, narrow the
operations and maintenance of the multipurpose dams and reservoirs the scope of analysis to significant
Willamette Valley Project. The Corps Corps operates and maintains in the environmental issues, serve as a
will serve as the lead federal agency for Willamette River Basin in Oregon, mechanism to solicit agency and public
purposes of the National Environmental collectively referred to as the Willamette input on alternatives and issues of
Policy Act (NEPA). Project. The listing of several species concern, and ensure full and open
under the ESA required the Corps to participation in scoping of the Draft EIS.
DATES: Written comments for
perform an assessment of the effects of Two public scoping meetings are
consideration in the development of the operating the Willamette Project on scheduled for December 2017. The
scope of the NEPA EIS are due to the listed species. Based on this assessment, specific dates, times, and locations of
addresses below no later than January 8, the NMFS released a BiOp in 2008, the meetings are provided below.
2018. Comments may also be made at which identified measures that it Upon completion of the scoping
the public scoping meetings as noted believed would avoid jeopardizing the process, the Draft EIS will be circulated
below. existence of ESA listed fish in the for public review and comment. The
ADDRESSES: Mailed comments may be Willamette basin, referred to as Corps expects to release the Draft EIS for
sent to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, measures in the Reasonable and Prudent public review and comment in 2019.
Portland District, P.O. Box 2946, Attn: Alternative (RPA). Measure 4.12.3 of the The Corps will issue a Notice of
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
CENWP–PM–E, Portland, Oregon RPA requires downstream fish passage Availability in the Federal Register
97208–2946. Email comments to: at Detroit Dam. Measure 5.2 of the RPA announcing the release of the Draft EIS
detroit.fish.passage@usace.army.mil. requires the minimization of water for public comment through the local
All comments and materials received, quality effects associated with news media. Documents and other
including names and addresses, will operations of Detroit and Big Cliff dams important information related to the EIS
become part of the administrative record by making structural modifications or will be available for review on the
and may be released to the public. major operational changes. The BiOp Corps’ project Web site.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 225 / Friday, November 24, 2017 / Notices 55831
Public Scoping Meetings: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For The award is a tool to encourage state
• Thursday, December 14, 2017, 4:00 specific questions related to collection education agencies, stakeholders and
p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the South Salem activities, please contact Andrea Falken, higher education officials to consider
High School Library located at 1910 202–503–8985. matters of facilities, health and
Church Street SE., Salem, OR 97302. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The environment comprehensively and in
• Tuesday, December 19, 2017, 4:00 Department of Education (ED), in coordination with state health,
p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Gates Fire Hall accordance with the Paperwork environment and energy agency
located at 140 East Sorbin Street, Gates, Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. counterparts. In order to be selected for
Oregon 97346. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general federal recognition, schools, districts
Additional information related to the public and Federal agencies with an and postsecondary institutions must be
public scoping process will be provided opportunity to comment on proposed, high achieving in all three of the above
through advertisements placed in revised, and continuing collections of Pillars, not just one area. Schools,
regional newspapers of general information. This helps the Department districts, colleges and universities apply
circulation, Public Notice, and on the assess the impact of its information to their state education authorities. State
project Web site at https://nwp.usace. collection requirements and minimize authorities can submit up to six
army.mil/Willamette/Detroit/fish- the public’s reporting burden. It also nominees to ED, documenting
passage/. helps the public understand the achievement in all three Pillars. This
Aaron L. Dorf, Department’s information collection information is used at the Department to
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District requirements and provide the requested select the awardees.
Commander. data in the desired format. ED is Dated: November 20, 2017.
[FR Doc. 2017–25398 Filed 11–22–17; 8:45 am] soliciting comments on the proposed Stephanie Valentine,
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P information collection request (ICR) that Acting Director, Information Collection
is described below. The Department of Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy
Education is especially interested in Officer, Office of Management.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION public comment addressing the [FR Doc. 2017–25394 Filed 11–22–17; 8:45 am]
following issues: (1) Is this collection BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
[Docket No.: ED–2017–ICCD–0143] necessary to the proper functions of the
Department; (2) will this information be
Agency Information Collection
processed and used in a timely manner; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Activities; Comment Request; U.S.
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate; AGENCY
Department of Education Green
(4) how might the Department enhance
Ribbon Schools Nominee Presentation [ER–FRL–9036–3]
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
Form
information to be collected; and (5) how
AGENCY: Office of Communications and might the Department minimize the Environmental Impact Statements;
Outreach (OCO), Department of burden of this collection on the Notice of Availability
Education (ED). respondents, including through the use Responsible Agency: Office of Federal
ACTION: Notice. of information technology. Please note Activities, General Information (202)
that written comments received in 564–7146 or http://www2.epa.gov/
SUMMARY: In accordance with the response to this notice will be nepa/.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is considered public records. Weekly receipt of Environmental Impact
proposing a revision of an existing Title of Collection: U.S. Department of Statements (EIS) Filed 11/13/2017
information collection. Education Green Ribbon Schools Through 11/17/2017
DATES: Interested persons are invited to Nominee Presentation Form. Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.9
submit comments on or before January OMB Control Number: 1860–0509.
23, 2018. Type of Review: A revision of an Notice
ADDRESSES: To access and review all the existing information collection. Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act
documents related to the information Respondents/Affected Public: Private requires that EPA make public its
collection listed in this notice, please Sector; State, Local, and Tribal comments on EISs issued by other
use http://www.regulations.gov by Governments. Federal agencies. EPA’s comment letters
searching the Docket ID number ED– Total Estimated Number of Annual on EISs are available at: https://
2017–ICCD–0143. Comments submitted Responses: 1,443. cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-nepa-public/
in response to this notice should be Total Estimated Number of Annual action/eis/search.
submitted electronically through the Burden Hours: 6,021. EIS No. 20170229, Final, USACE, AZ,
Federal eRulemaking Portal at http:// Abstract: U.S. Department of ADOPTION—South Mountain
www.regulations.gov by selecting the Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED– Freeway (Loop 202), Contact: Jesse
Docket ID number or via postal mail, GRS) is a recognition award that honors Rice (602) 230–6854.
commercial delivery, or hand delivery. schools, districts, and postsecondary EIS No. 20170230, Final, BPA, WA,
Please note that comments submitted by institutions that are exemplary in three Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery, Yakima
fax or email and those submitted after Pillars: (1) Reducing environmental Basin Coho Project, Review Period
the comment period will not be impact and costs, including waste, Ends: 12/26/2017, Contact: Dave
accepted. Written requests for water, energy use and alternative
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Goodman (503) 230–4764.
information or comments submitted by transportation; (2) improving the health EIS No. 20170231, Final, USFS, OR,
postal mail or delivery should be and wellness of students and staff, Antelope Grazing Allotments AMP,
addressed to the Director of the including environmental health of Review Period Ends: 01/08/2018,
Information Collection Clearance premises, nutrition and fitness; and (3) Contact: Benjamin Goodin (541) 947–
Division, U.S. Department of Education, providing effective sustainability 6251.
400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room education, including STEM, civic skills EIS No. 20170232, Draft, BR, CA, Pure
216–32, Washington, DC 20202–4537. and green career pathways. Water San Diego Program, North City
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Document Created: 2017-11-22 23:34:00
Document Modified: 2017-11-22 23:34:00
| 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 | Written comments for consideration in the development of the | |
| Contact | For questions regarding the Project, the EIS, or special accommodations for scoping process participation, please contact Kelly Janes, Environmental Resources Specialist; (503) 808-4771. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 55830 |
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