83 FR 44609 - Notice of Availability of the Final Missouri River Recovery Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 170 (August 31, 2018)

Page Range		44609-44610
FR Document		2018-18982

The Kansas City and Omaha Districts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), have developed the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (MRRMP-EIS). This document is a programmatic assessment of major federal actions necessary to avoid a finding of jeopardy to the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), and the Northern Great Plains piping plover (Charadrius melodus) caused by operation of the Missouri River Mainstem System and the Kansas River Reservoir System and operation and maintenance of the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project (BSNP) in accordance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. This programmatic document also assesses the Missouri River BSNP fish and wildlife mitigation project described in the 2003 Record of Decision (ROD) and authorized by the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, 1999, and 2007 as it relates to endangered species.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 170 (Friday, August 31, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44609-44610]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18982]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability of the Final Missouri River Recovery 
Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Kansas City and Omaha Districts of the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers (USACE), in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFWS), have developed the Missouri River Recovery Management 
Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (MRRMP-EIS). This document is a 
programmatic assessment of major federal actions necessary to avoid a 
finding of jeopardy to the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), 
interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), and the Northern 
Great Plains piping plover (Charadrius melodus) caused by operation of 
the Missouri River Mainstem System and the Kansas River Reservoir 
System and operation and maintenance of the Missouri River Bank 
Stabilization and Navigation Project (BSNP) in accordance with the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. This programmatic 
document also assesses the Missouri River BSNP fish and wildlife 
mitigation project described in the 2003 Record of Decision (ROD) and 
authorized by the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, 1999, 
and 2007 as it relates to endangered species.

DATES: Submit written comments on the final EIS and supporting 
documents on or before October 9, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha 
District, ATTN: CENWO-PM-AC--MRRMP-EIS, 1616 Capitol Ave., Omaha, NE 
68102; attach comment letters via email at [email protected]; or provide comments via an online comment form 
(preferred method) at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MRRMP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tiffany Vanosdall, Project Manager at 
402-995-2695.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USACE is issuing this notice pursuant to 
section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural 
provisions of NEPA (43 CFR parts 1500 through 1508). This notice 
announces the availability of the final MRRMP-EIS. The MRRMP-EIS, its 
appendices, and other supporting documents can be accessed at: 
www.moriverrecovery.org under the ``Management Plan'' tab on the 
website homepage. These documents can also be accessed at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MRRMP.

Background Information

    The draft MRRMP-EIS was released on December 23, 2016 and included 
a 122-day public comment period that ended on April 24, 2017. During 
that time USACE held six public meetings to solicit comments from the 
public. USACE analyzed the comments received from the public and 
considered them in preparation of the final MRRMP-EIS (Appendix K). The 
final MRRMP-EIS is available for public review until October 9, 2018. 
The USACE has also completed formal consultation with the USFWS under 
Section 7 of the ESA. A final Biological Assessment (BA) was completed 
by the USACE in October of 2017 and a Final BiOp was completed by the 
USFWS in April, 2018. The BiOp concludes that the proposed action 
described in the BA would not cause jeopardy for the least tern, piping 
plover, or pallid sturgeon. The preferred alternative in the Final EIS 
incorporates the proposed action described in the 2017 BA and 
incorporates the 2018 BiOp.
    This EIS provides the necessary information for the public to fully 
evaluate a range of alternatives designed to meet the purpose and need 
of the MRRMP-EIS and to provide thoughtful and meaningful comment for 
the Agency's consideration. Six alternatives were carried forward for 
detailed evaluation in the MRRMP-EIS (the no-action alternative and 
five action alternatives). The following management actions were 
included in all six of the alternatives:

--Mechanical construction of emergent sandbar habitat (ESH);
--Vegetation management, predator management, and human restriction 
measures on ESH;
--Pallid sturgeon propagation and augmentation;
--Pallid sturgeon early life stage habitat construction downstream of 
Ponca, Nebraska;
--Habitat development and management of acquired lands; and
--Monitoring and evaluation of management actions.

However, the scale and extent of mechanical ESH creation and pallid 
surgeon early life stage habitat construction would vary among the 
alternatives.
    Under the no-action alternative, in addition to the actions common 
to all alternatives, the USACE would mechanically construct ESH at a 
rate of 164 acres per year in the Garrison and Gavins Point reaches and 
construct pallid early life stage habitat to achieve an average of 20 
acres of shallow water habitat per river mile. The no-action 
alternative would also continue to implement the spring pulse included 
in the Master Manual.
    Alternative 2 represents the USFWS's interpretation of the 
management actions that could be ultimately implemented as part of the 
2003 Amended BiOp Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA). In addition 
to the actions common to all alternatives, the USACE would mechanically 
construct ESH at a rate up to 1,331 acres per year in the Garrison, 
Fort Randall, Lewis and Clark Lake, and Gavins Point reaches and pallid 
early life stage habitat to achieve an average of 30 acres of shallow 
water habitat per river mile. Alternative 2 would also include a spring 
pallid flow release consisting of a bimodal pulse in March and May and 
a low summer flow.
    Under Alternatives 3-6, the USACE would follow the processes and 
criteria in the SAMP that was developed based on the results of the 
effects analysis. The SAMP identifies the process and criteria to 
implement initial management actions, assess hypotheses, and introduce 
new management actions should they become necessary. Initial management 
actions include specific study efforts to fill data gaps in knowledge 
of the pallid sturgeon life cycle, creation of spawning habitat for 
pallid sturgeon to monitor effectiveness, and the construction of 
pallid early life stage habitat following the interception and rearing 
complex (IRC) concept identified in the effects analysis.
    In addition to the actions common to Alternatives 3-6, Alternative 
3 would include mechanical construction of ESH at an average rate of 
332 acres per year when construction is needed in the Garrison, Fort 
Randall, and Gavins Point reaches. Alternative 3 would not implement 
the plenary spring pulse included in the Master Manual. However, as 
part of the SAMP the potential for a one-time spawning cue

[[Page 44610]]

test release, if studies during the first 9-10 years do not provide a 
clear answer on whether a spawning cue is important, is included in 
Alternative 3.
    In addition to the actions common to Alternatives 3-6, Alternative 
4 would include mechanical construction of ESH at an average rate of 
195 acres per year when construction is needed in the Garrison, Fort 
Randall, and Gavins Point reaches. Alternative 4 also includes 
implementation of a spring ESH creation release if System storage is at 
42 MAF or greater on April 1, normal flows that could create 250 acres 
of ESH have not occurred in the previous four years, and downstream 
flow is below identified flood control constraints specific to this 
alternative.
    In addition to the actions common to Alternatives 3-6, Alternative 
5 would include mechanical construction of ESH at an average rate of 
253 acres per year when construction is needed in the Garrison, Fort 
Randall, and Gavins Point reaches. Alternative 5 also includes 
implementation of a fall ESH creation release if System storage is at 
54.5 MAF or greater on October 17, normal flows that could create 250 
acres of ESH have not occurred in the previous four years, and 
downstream flow is below identified flood control constraints specific 
to this alternative.
    In addition to the actions common to Alternatives 3-6, Alternative 
6 would include mechanical construction of ESH at an average rate of 
245 acres per year when construction is needed in the Garrison, Fort 
Randall, and Gavins Point reaches. Alternative 6 also includes 
implementation of a spawning cue release, attempted every 3 years, 
consisting of a bimodal pulse in March and May. These spawning cue 
releases would not be started or would be terminated whenever 
downstream flow is at identified flood control constraints specific to 
this alternative.
    The final EIS evaluates the potential effects on the human 
environment associated with each of the above alternatives. Resources 
and uses evaluated include: River infrastructure and hydrological 
processes; pallid sturgeon; piping plover and interior least tern; fish 
and wildlife habitat; other special status species; water quality; air 
quality; cultural resources; land use and ownership; commercial sand 
and gravel dredging; flood risk management and interior drainage; 
hydropower; irrigation; navigation; recreation; thermal power; water 
supply; wastewater facilities; tribal interests (other); human health 
and safety; environmental justice; ecosystem services; and Mississippi 
River resources.
    Based on projected impacts, the ability to meet the plan's purpose, 
need and species objectives, and other decision criteria, USACE has 
identified Alternative 3-Mechanical Construction as its preferred 
alternative. Importantly, Alternative 3 would be implemented under the 
science and adaptive management framework summarized in Chapter 4 of 
the MRRMP-EIS and detailed within the Science and Adaptive Management 
Plan (SAMP).
    Schedule. Public comments on the final MRRMP-EIS must be received 
by October 9, 2018. The USACE will consider new comments received on 
the final MRRMP-EIS prior to issuing a Record of Decision which is 
expected in the fall of 2018.
    Public Disclosure Statement. If you wish to comment, you may 
provide your comments as indicated under the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
any other personal identifying information in your comment, you should 
be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made available to the public at any time. While you 
can request us to withhold your personal identifying information from 
public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: August 20, 2018.
Mark Harberg,
Program Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
[FR Doc. 2018-18982 Filed 8-30-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2018 / Notices 44609

Dated: August 27, 2018. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The —Habitat development and
Aaron T. Siegel, USACE is issuing this notice pursuant management of acquired lands; and
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison to section 102(2)(c) of the National —Monitoring and evaluation of
Officer, Department of Defense. Environmental Policy Act of 1969 management actions.
[FR Doc. 2018–18888 Filed 8–30–18; 8:45 am] (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et However, the scale and extent of
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P seq.) and the Council on Environmental mechanical ESH creation and pallid
Quality (CEQ) regulations for surgeon early life stage habitat
implementing the procedural provisions construction would vary among the
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE of NEPA (43 CFR parts 1500 through alternatives.
1508). This notice announces the Under the no-action alternative, in
Department of the Army, Corps of availability of the final MRRMP–EIS. addition to the actions common to all
Engineers The MRRMP–EIS, its appendices, and alternatives, the USACE would
other supporting documents can be mechanically construct ESH at a rate of
Notice of Availability of the Final accessed at: www.moriverrecovery.org
Missouri River Recovery Management 164 acres per year in the Garrison and
under the ‘‘Management Plan’’ tab on Gavins Point reaches and construct
Plan and Environmental Impact the website homepage. These
Statement pallid early life stage habitat to achieve
documents can also be accessed at an average of 20 acres of shallow water
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MRRMP. habitat per river mile. The no-action
DoD. Background Information alternative would also continue to
ACTION: Notice. The draft MRRMP–EIS was released implement the spring pulse included in
on December 23, 2016 and included a the Master Manual.
SUMMARY: The Kansas City and Omaha Alternative 2 represents the USFWS’s
Districts of the U.S. Army Corps of 122-day public comment period that
ended on April 24, 2017. During that interpretation of the management
Engineers (USACE), in cooperation with actions that could be ultimately
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service time USACE held six public meetings to
solicit comments from the public. implemented as part of the 2003
(USFWS), have developed the Missouri Amended BiOp Reasonable and Prudent
River Recovery Management Plan and USACE analyzed the comments
received from the public and considered Alternative (RPA). In addition to the
Environmental Impact Statement actions common to all alternatives, the
(MRRMP–EIS). This document is a them in preparation of the final
MRRMP–EIS (Appendix K). The final USACE would mechanically construct
programmatic assessment of major ESH at a rate up to 1,331 acres per year
federal actions necessary to avoid a MRRMP–EIS is available for public
review until October 9, 2018. The in the Garrison, Fort Randall, Lewis and
finding of jeopardy to the pallid Clark Lake, and Gavins Point reaches
sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), USACE has also completed formal
consultation with the USFWS under and pallid early life stage habitat to
interior least tern (Sterna antillarum achieve an average of 30 acres of
athalassos), and the Northern Great Section 7 of the ESA. A final Biological
Assessment (BA) was completed by the shallow water habitat per river mile.
Plains piping plover (Charadrius Alternative 2 would also include a
melodus) caused by operation of the USACE in October of 2017 and a Final
BiOp was completed by the USFWS in spring pallid flow release consisting of
Missouri River Mainstem System and a bimodal pulse in March and May and
the Kansas River Reservoir System and April, 2018. The BiOp concludes that
the proposed action described in the BA a low summer flow.
operation and maintenance of the Under Alternatives 3–6, the USACE
Missouri River Bank Stabilization and would not cause jeopardy for the least
tern, piping plover, or pallid sturgeon. would follow the processes and criteria
Navigation Project (BSNP) in in the SAMP that was developed based
accordance with the Endangered The preferred alternative in the Final
EIS incorporates the proposed action on the results of the effects analysis. The
Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. SAMP identifies the process and criteria
This programmatic document also described in the 2017 BA and
incorporates the 2018 BiOp. to implement initial management
assesses the Missouri River BSNP fish actions, assess hypotheses, and
This EIS provides the necessary
and wildlife mitigation project introduce new management actions
information for the public to fully
described in the 2003 Record of should they become necessary. Initial
evaluate a range of alternatives designed
Decision (ROD) and authorized by the management actions include specific
to meet the purpose and need of the
Water Resources Development Act study efforts to fill data gaps in
MRRMP–EIS and to provide thoughtful
(WRDA) of 1986, 1999, and 2007 as it knowledge of the pallid sturgeon life
and meaningful comment for the
relates to endangered species. cycle, creation of spawning habitat for
Agency’s consideration. Six alternatives
DATES: Submit written comments on the were carried forward for detailed pallid sturgeon to monitor effectiveness,
final EIS and supporting documents on evaluation in the MRRMP–EIS (the no- and the construction of pallid early life
or before October 9, 2018. action alternative and five action stage habitat following the interception
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to alternatives). The following and rearing complex (IRC) concept
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha management actions were included in identified in the effects analysis.
District, ATTN: CENWO–PM–AC— all six of the alternatives: In addition to the actions common to
MRRMP–EIS, 1616 Capitol Ave., —Mechanical construction of emergent Alternatives 3–6, Alternative 3 would
Omaha, NE 68102; attach comment sandbar habitat (ESH); include mechanical construction of ESH
letters via email at cenwo-planning@ —Vegetation management, predator at an average rate of 332 acres per year
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

usace.army.mil; or provide comments management, and human restriction when construction is needed in the
via an online comment form (preferred measures on ESH; Garrison, Fort Randall, and Gavins Point
method) at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ —Pallid sturgeon propagation and reaches. Alternative 3 would not
MRRMP. augmentation; implement the plenary spring pulse
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: —Pallid sturgeon early life stage habitat included in the Master Manual.
Tiffany Vanosdall, Project Manager at construction downstream of Ponca, However, as part of the SAMP the
402–995–2695. Nebraska; potential for a one-time spawning cue

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44610 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2018 / Notices

test release, if studies during the first 9– Based on projected impacts, the searching the Docket ID number ED–
10 years do not provide a clear answer ability to meet the plan’s purpose, need 2018–ICCD–0037. Comments submitted
on whether a spawning cue is and species objectives, and other in response to this notice should be
important, is included in Alternative 3. decision criteria, USACE has identified submitted electronically through the
In addition to the actions common to Alternative 3-Mechanical Construction Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
Alternatives 3–6, Alternative 4 would as its preferred alternative. Importantly, www.regulations.gov by selecting the
include mechanical construction of ESH Alternative 3 would be implemented Docket ID number or via postal mail,
at an average rate of 195 acres per year under the science and adaptive commercial delivery, or hand delivery.
when construction is needed in the management framework summarized in Please note that comments submitted by
Garrison, Fort Randall, and Gavins Point Chapter 4 of the MRRMP–EIS and fax or email and those submitted after
reaches. Alternative 4 also includes detailed within the Science and the comment period will not be
implementation of a spring ESH Adaptive Management Plan (SAMP). accepted. Written requests for
creation release if System storage is at Schedule. Public comments on the information or comments submitted by
42 MAF or greater on April 1, normal final MRRMP–EIS must be received by postal mail or delivery should be
flows that could create 250 acres of ESH October 9, 2018. The USACE will addressed to the Director of the
have not occurred in the previous four consider new comments received on the Information Collection Clearance
years, and downstream flow is below final MRRMP–EIS prior to issuing a Division, U.S. Department of Education,
identified flood control constraints Record of Decision which is expected in 550 12th Street SW, PCP, Room 9089,
specific to this alternative. the fall of 2018. Washington, DC 20202–0023.
In addition to the actions common to Public Disclosure Statement. If you
Alternatives 3–6, Alternative 5 would FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
wish to comment, you may provide your
include mechanical construction of ESH specific questions related to collection
comments as indicated under the
at an average rate of 253 acres per year activities, please contact Melissa Siry,
ADDRESSES section of this notice. Before
when construction is needed in the 202–260–0926.
including your address, phone number,
Garrison, Fort Randall, and Gavins Point email address, or any other personal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
reaches. Alternative 5 also includes identifying information in your Department of Education (ED), in
implementation of a fall ESH creation comment, you should be aware that accordance with the Paperwork
release if System storage is at 54.5 MAF your entire comment—including your Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
or greater on October 17, normal flows personal identifying information—may 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
that could create 250 acres of ESH have be made available to the public at any public and Federal agencies with an
not occurred in the previous four years, time. While you can request us to opportunity to comment on proposed,
and downstream flow is below withhold your personal identifying revised, and continuing collections of
identified flood control constraints information from public review, we information. This helps the Department
specific to this alternative. cannot guarantee that we will be able to assess the impact of its information
In addition to the actions common to do so. collection requirements and minimize
Alternatives 3–6, Alternative 6 would the public’s reporting burden. It also
include mechanical construction of ESH Dated: August 20, 2018.
helps the public understand the
at an average rate of 245 acres per year Mark Harberg,
Department’s information collection
when construction is needed in the Program Manager, U.S. Army Corps of requirements and provide the requested
Garrison, Fort Randall, and Gavins Point Engineers.
data in the desired format. ED is
reaches. Alternative 6 also includes [FR Doc. 2018–18982 Filed 8–30–18; 8:45 am]
soliciting comments on the proposed
implementation of a spawning cue BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
information collection request (ICR) that
release, attempted every 3 years, is described below. The Department of
consisting of a bimodal pulse in March Education is especially interested in
and May. These spawning cue releases DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION public comment addressing the
would not be started or would be following issues: (1) Is this collection
[Docket No.: ED–2018–ICCD–0037]
terminated whenever downstream flow necessary to the proper functions of the
is at identified flood control constraints Agency Information Collection Department; (2) will this information be
specific to this alternative. Activities; Submission to the Office of processed and used in a timely manner;
The final EIS evaluates the potential (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
Management and Budget for Review
effects on the human environment
and Approval; Comment Request; (4) how might the Department enhance
associated with each of the above
Application for the Educational the quality, utility, and clarity of the
alternatives. Resources and uses
Flexibility (Ed-Flex) Program information to be collected; and (5) how
evaluated include: River infrastructure
might the Department minimize the
and hydrological processes; pallid AGENCY: Department of Education (ED),
burden of this collection on the
sturgeon; piping plover and interior Office of Elementary and Secondary
respondents, including through the use
least tern; fish and wildlife habitat; Education (OESE).
of information technology. Please note
other special status species; water ACTION: Notice. that written comments received in
quality; air quality; cultural resources;
SUMMARY: In accordance with the response to this notice will be
land use and ownership; commercial
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is considered public records.
sand and gravel dredging; flood risk
management and interior drainage; proposing a new information collection. Title of Collection: Application for the
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

hydropower; irrigation; navigation; DATES: Interested persons are invited to Educational Flexibility (Ed-Flex)
recreation; thermal power; water submit comments on or before October Program.
supply; wastewater facilities; tribal 1, 2018. OMB Control Number: 1810—NEW.
interests (other); human health and ADDRESSES: To access and review all the Type of Review: A new information
safety; environmental justice; ecosystem documents related to the information collection.
services; and Mississippi River collection listed in this notice, please Respondents/Affected Public: State,
resources. use http://www.regulations.gov by Local, and Tribal Governments.

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Document Created: 2018-08-31 00:52:56
Document Modified: 2018-08-31 00:52:56

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		Submit written comments on the final EIS and supporting documents on or before October 9, 2018.
Contact		Tiffany Vanosdall, Project Manager at 402-995-2695.
FR Citation		83 FR 44609

83 FR 44609 - Notice of Availability of the Final Missouri River Recovery Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEDepartment of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 170 (August 31, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers