83 FR 64337 - Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Whittier Narrow Dam Safety Modification Study, Los Angeles County, California
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 240
(December 14, 2018)
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 240 (December 14, 2018)
| Page Range | 64337-64338 | |
| FR Document | 2018-27114 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 240 (Friday, December 14, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 64337-64338] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-27114] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Whittier Narrow Dam Safety Modification Study, Los Angeles County, California AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Modification Study, Los Angeles County, California for review and comment. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Corps has prepared a Draft EIS for the Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Modification Study (DSMS). The Draft EIS evaluates risk management plans (alternatives) to remediate safety concerns such as overtopping and seepage. The Draft EIS describes and analyses the impacts of risk management plans (RMPs) that are formulated, evaluated and compared through the DSMS process in order to identify a recommended RMP that reduces risks to downstream life-safety and property associated with dam failure. Implementation of the recommended risk management plan would mitigate the intolerable Dam safety risk and allow the Dam to safely function as originally intended and authorized. Without this action, the Dam could fail resulting in life-threatening floods to downstream communities. The Proposed Action is needed to provide life-safety to the communities downstream of the Whittier Narrows Dam. DATES: Written comments pursuant to the NEPA will be accepted until the close of business on January 28, 2019. ADDRESSES: The document is available for review at: (1) https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Projects-Studies/Whittier-Narrows-Dam-Safety-Modification-Study/. (2) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, 915 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017-3401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Deborah Lamb, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, phone number (213) 452-3798. Questions or comments regarding the Whittier Narrows Dam DSMS Draft EIS, contact Ms. Deborah Lamb by phone or by email to [email protected]. or Whittier Narrows DSMS EIS [email protected]. For further information regarding the Whittier Narrows DSMS, contact Mr. Doug Chitwood, (213) 452 3587, or by email to [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background Information. Construction of Whittier Narrows Dam was completed in 1957 as an integral component of the Los Angeles County Drainage Area (LACDA) system of dams and channelized rivers authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1936. The Whittier Narrows Dam primary purpose is flood risk management with recreation added in the Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534). Whittier Narrows Dam is located approximately 11 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA. The dam protects over one million people and reduces economic damages to the communities downstream during flood events. The Corps has classified Whittier Narrows Dam as very high risk due to the potential for seepage and hydrologic issues during rare storms that could lead to failure. The DSMS and Draft EIS identify and evaluate alternatives to address these deficiencies and reduce the annual probability of failure and the [[Page 64338]] risk to life safety to within the Corps' tolerable risk guidelines as presented in Engineering Regulation 1110-2-1156. A Notice of Intent to prepare the Draft EIS was published on July 22, 2013 in the Federal Register. A public scoping meeting was conducted on September 11, 2013 in the City of Pico Rivera, California. The Draft EIS is available for a 45-day review period pursuant to the NEPA. 2. Risk Management Plans (Alternatives). In addition to a No Action Alternative, the Draft EIS evaluates an array of remediation alternatives including: (1) Raising the crest elevation of the dam with a 12 foot high parapet wall on top of the crest, constructing an auxiliary labyrinth spillway adjacent to the existing spillway, and a trench drain and filter blanket; (2) placing a 10 foot wide roller compacted concrete series of steps on the downstream slope of the Dam embankments with trench drain and filter blanket. 3. NEPA Scope of Analysis. The Draft EIS evaluates the impacts of risk management plans on environmental resources and the human environment. Resources initially identified in the NEPA scope of analysis as potentially significant without implementation of mitigation measures include noise and vibration and recreation. Resources initially identified in the NEPA scope of analysis as potentially significant without implementation of mitigation measures include, but are not limited to: Water quality, noise and vibration, air quality, socioeconomics and environmental justice, land use, recreation, visual and esthetic resources, traffic and transportation, historical and cultural resources, vegetation and wildlife, and special status species. Public Participation: As part of the public involvement process, the Corps' Los Angeles District anticipates the public meeting will be held in January 2019. The public review meeting will allow participants the opportunity to comment on the Draft EIS. Attendance at the public hearing is not necessary to provide comments. Written comments may also be given to the contact listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATON CONTACT section. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2018-27114 Filed 12-13-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 240 / Friday, December 14, 2018 / Notices 64337
and recommend a risk management plan the summer of 2019, at which time a reduces risks to downstream life-safety
that addresses risk of life loss and Notice of Availability will be published and property associated with dam
significant economic, social, and in the Federal Register. failure. Implementation of the
environmental damages associated with The public meeting date or location recommended risk management plan
a potential failure of Cherry Creek Dam. may change based on inclement weather would mitigate the intolerable Dam
In addition to the No Action or exceptional circumstances. If the safety risk and allow the Dam to safely
Alternative, Alternatives 2F (raise dam meeting date or location is changed, the function as originally intended and
7.1 feet and spillway to elevation 5610.5 Corps will issue a press release and post authorized. Without this action, the
from original design of 5599.8 feet it on the web at http:// Dam could fail resulting in life-
NAVD88 to prevent overtopping) and www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Media/News- threatening floods to downstream
3B (dam raise of 6.2 feet and no Releases/ to announce the updated communities. The Proposed Action is
spillway raise) were evaluated in the meeting details. needed to provide life-safety to the
final array of alternatives. Public Disclosure Statement. If you communities downstream of the
Dam Raise Alternative 3B consists of wish to comment, you may mail or Whittier Narrows Dam.
the FWAC spillway and a dam raise to email your comments as indicated DATES: Written comments pursuant to
contain the PMF. A dam raise height for under the ADDRESSES section of this the NEPA will be accepted until the
this alternative is 6.2 feet and the crest notice. Before including your address, close of business on January 28, 2019.
width was assumed to be approximately phone number, email address, or any ADDRESSES: The document is available
38 feet to allow reconstruction of the other personal identifying information for review at:
crest road using current road design in your comment, you should be aware (1) https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/
standards. Various methods for raising that your entire comment—including Missions/Civil-Works/Projects-Studies/
the dam were considered, including an your personal identifying information— Whittier-Narrows-Dam-Safety-
earth raise, reinforced concrete wall, may be made available to the public at Modification-Study/.
and mechanically stabilized earth. The any time. While you can request in your (2) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los
most efficient method of raise depends comment for us to withhold your Angeles District, 915 Wilshire Blvd., Los
on several factors including the height personal identifying information from Angeles, CA 90017–3401.
of raise, crest width, availability of on- public review, we cannot guarantee that FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
site materials, and steepness of we will be able to do so. Deborah Lamb, U.S. Army Corps of
embankment side slopes. Earth/rock fill Engineers, Los Angeles District, phone
raises compete well for raises below 4 Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. number (213) 452–3798. Questions or
to 5 feet if the crest width can be comments regarding the Whittier
minimized. Reinforced Concrete (RC) [FR Doc. 2018–27115 Filed 12–13–18; 8:45 am]
Narrows Dam DSMS Draft EIS, contact
wall raises are clearly more cost BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
Ms. Deborah Lamb by phone or by email
effective for larger raises and when a to Deborah.L.Lamb@usace.army.mil. or
wide crest is required to allow Whittier Narrows DSMS EIS Whittier_
construction of a crest road that meets DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Narrows_DSMS@usace.army.mil.
modern standards of construction, For further information regarding the
therefore, the dam would be raised Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers Whittier Narrows DSMS, contact Mr.
using an RC wall if Alternative 3B is Doug Chitwood, (213) 452 3587, or by
implemented. Availability of a Draft Environmental email to Douglas.E.Chitwood@
Dam Raise Alternative 2F consists of
Impact Statement, Whittier Narrow usace.army.mil.
a RC wall dam raise of 7.1 feet and a
Dam Safety Modification Study, Los SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
spillway raise to crest elevation 5610.5
Angeles County, California 1. Background Information.
feet NAVD88 to prevent overtopping
during the PMF. This spillway crest AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Construction of Whittier Narrows Dam
elevation of 5610.5 feet was chosen to Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. was completed in 1957 as an integral
minimize non-breach flows in the ACTION: Notice of availability; request component of the Los Angeles County
spillway impact area. As with for comments. Drainage Area (LACDA) system of dams
Alternative 3B the dam would be raised and channelized rivers authorized by
using an RC wall and the crest width SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Congress in the Flood Control Act of
would be approximately 38 feet to allow Engineers (Corps) announces the 1936. The Whittier Narrows Dam
reconstruction of the crest road using availability of a Draft Environmental primary purpose is flood risk
current road design standards. Impact Statement (EIS) for the Whittier management with recreation added in
The Draft EIS evaluates the potential Narrows Dam Safety Modification the Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L.
effects on the human environment Study, Los Angeles County, California 78–534). Whittier Narrows Dam is
associated with each of the alternatives. for review and comment. Pursuant to located approximately 11 miles east of
Issues addressed include: Land use and the National Environmental Policy Act downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles
vegetation, social and economic (NEPA). The Corps has prepared a Draft County, CA. The dam protects over one
conditions, recreation, water resources, EIS for the Whittier Narrows Dam Safety million people and reduces economic
air quality, noise, and environmental Modification Study (DSMS). The Draft damages to the communities
justice. EIS evaluates risk management plans downstream during flood events. The
Schedule. The public comment period (alternatives) to remediate safety Corps has classified Whittier Narrows
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
will begin December 12, 2018. concerns such as overtopping and Dam as very high risk due to the
Comments on the Draft EIS must be seepage. The Draft EIS describes and potential for seepage and hydrologic
received by January 28, 2019. The Corps analyses the impacts of risk issues during rare storms that could lead
will consider and respond to all management plans (RMPs) that are to failure. The DSMS and Draft EIS
comments received on the Draft EIS formulated, evaluated and compared identify and evaluate alternatives to
when preparing the Final EIS. The through the DSMS process in order to address these deficiencies and reduce
Corps expects to issue the Final EIS in identify a recommended RMP that the annual probability of failure and the
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![64338 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 240 / Friday, December 14, 2018 / Notices
risk to life safety to within the Corps’ DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION period. To ensure that we do not receive
tolerable risk guidelines as presented in duplicate copies, please submit your
[Docket ID ED–2017–IES–0081]
Engineering Regulation 1110–2–1156. comments only once. In addition, please
A Notice of Intent to prepare the Draft Privacy Act of 1974; System of include the Docket ID at the top of your
EIS was published on July 22, 2013 in Records comments.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
the Federal Register. A public scoping AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences, www.regulations.gov to submit your
meeting was conducted on September Department of Education. comments electronically. Information
11, 2013 in the City of Pico Rivera, on using Regulations.gov, including
ACTION: Notice of a new system of
California. The Draft EIS is available for records. instructions for accessing agency
a 45-day review period pursuant to the documents, submitting comments, and
NEPA. SUMMARY: In accordance with the viewing the docket, is available on the
2. Risk Management Plans Privacy Act of 1974, as amended site under the ‘‘Help’’ tab.
(Alternatives). In addition to a No (Privacy Act), the Department of • Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery,
Action Alternative, the Draft EIS Education (the Department) publishes or Hand Delivery: If you mail or deliver
evaluates an array of remediation this notice of a new system of records your comments about this modified
alternatives including: (1) Raising the entitled ‘‘Text Ed: A Study of Text system of records, address them to:
Messaging to Improve College SORN Coordinator, Institute of
crest elevation of the dam with a 12 foot
Enrollment Rates among Disadvantaged Education Sciences, U.S. Department of
high parapet wall on top of the crest,
Adults (18–13–41).’’ This system Education, Potomac Center Plaza, 550
constructing an auxiliary labyrinth contains individually identifying
spillway adjacent to the existing 12th Street SW, Room 4126,
information voluntarily provided by Washington, DC 20202.
spillway, and a trench drain and filter grantees under the Department of
blanket; (2) placing a 10 foot wide roller Privacy Note: The Department’s policy is
Education’s (Department’) Educational to make all comments received from
compacted concrete series of steps on Opportunity Centers (EOC) program members of the public available for public
the downstream slope of the Dam which were selected to participate in viewing in their entirety on the Federal
embankments with trench drain and the study and adult participants who eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov.
filter blanket. receive services from those grantees. Therefore, commenters should be careful to
3. NEPA Scope of Analysis. The Draft The EOC program is one of the include in their comments only information
Department’s TRIO programs and that they wish to make publicly available.
EIS evaluates the impacts of risk
management plans on environmental primarily focuses on disadvantaged Assistance to Individuals with
resources and the human environment. adults. The information in this system Disabilities in Reviewing the
Resources initially identified in the will be used to conduct a rigorous study Rulemaking Record: On request, we will
NEPA scope of analysis as potentially of the effectiveness of customized text provide an appropriate accommodation
significant without implementation of messages as an enhancement to EOC or auxiliary aid to an individual with a
mitigation measures include noise and services, examining whether the disability who needs assistance to
messages lead to increased college review the comments or other
vibration and recreation.
enrollment and Free Application for documents in the public rulemaking
Resources initially identified in the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) record for this notice. If you want to
NEPA scope of analysis as potentially completion rates among adults receiving schedule an appointment for this type of
significant without implementation of support from EOCs. accommodation or auxiliary aid, please
mitigation measures include, but are not DATES: Submit your comments on this contact the person listed under FOR
limited to: Water quality, noise and new system of records notice on or FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
vibration, air quality, socioeconomics before January 14, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
and environmental justice, land use, This new system of records will Teresa Cahalan, Institute of Education
recreation, visual and esthetic resources, become applicable upon publication in Sciences, U.S. Department of Education,
traffic and transportation, historical and the Federal Register on December 14, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th Street
cultural resources, vegetation and 2018, unless the new system of records SW, Room 4126, Washington, DC 20202,
wildlife, and special status species. notice needs to be changed as a result or by email at IES_SORN@ed.gov.
Public Participation: As part of the of public comment. All proposed If you use a telecommunications
public involvement process, the Corps’ routine uses in the paragraph entitled device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
‘‘ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS telephone (TTY), you may call the
Los Angeles District anticipates the
MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–
public meeting will be held in January
INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS 8339.
2019. The public review meeting will AND PURPOSES OF SUCH USES’’ will
allow participants the opportunity to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
become applicable on January 14, 2019,
comment on the Draft EIS. Attendance unless the new system of records notice Introduction
at the public hearing is not necessary to needs to be changed as a result of public
provide comments. Written comments The information contained in the
comment. The Department will publish system will be used to conduct a study
may also be given to the contact listed any changes to the system of records or of the effectiveness of personalized text
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATON CONTACT routine uses that result from public messaging in improving the college
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
section. comment. enrollment and FAFSA completion rates
Brenda S. Bowen, ADDRESSES: Submit your comments of disadvantaged adults. The messaging
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. through the Federal eRulemaking Portal will be implemented as an enhancement
[FR Doc. 2018–27114 Filed 12–13–18; 8:45 am] or via postal mail, commercial delivery, to services provided by Educational
or hand delivery. We will not accept Opportunity Centers. The information
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
comments submitted by fax or by email collected will be used to describe the
or those submitted after the comment implementation of the study’s text
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Document Created: 2018-12-14 03:50:15
Document Modified: 2018-12-14 03:50:15
| 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; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Written comments pursuant to the NEPA will be accepted until the close of business on January 28, 2019. | |
| Contact | Ms. Deborah Lamb, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, phone number (213) 452-3798. Questions or comments regarding the Whittier Narrows Dam DSMS Draft EIS, contact Ms. Deborah Lamb by phone or by email to [email protected] or Whittier Narrows DSMS EIS [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 64337 |
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