Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Pine Mountain Dam & Lake Project, AR, 25573-25574 [06-4061]

Download as PDF cchase on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2006 / Notices using a maximum Libby Dam release rate at some level up to 10 kcfs above the approximately 25 kcfs powerhouse capacity. As with Alternative LS2, Alternative LV2 does not identify a specific mechanism to achieve the 10 kcfs of additional flow and the corresponding analysis presumes that the full 10 kcfs of flow above powerhouse capacity would be provided for all sturgeon flow augmentation events except when limited to avoid exceeding flood stage of 1,764 feet at Bonners Ferry, Idaho. As with LS2, it portrays the maximum extent of impacts associated with these flows. • Alternative LSB: Libby Dam operations using Standard FC with sturgeon, bull trout, and salmon flow augmentation. Sturgeon flow augmentation would provide tiered sturgeon volumes consistent with the 2006 FWS BiOp. Annual operations would be based on a scientific approach for testing different releases from Libby Dam and determining the effectiveness for achieving the habitat attributes and meeting the conservation needs established for sturgeon as described in the 2006 BiOp. Specific details are being developed in a Flow Plan Implementation Protocol in collaboration with the states of Montana and Idaho, interested tribes and other Federal agencies. Maximum peak augmentation flows would be provided for up to 14 days, when water supply conditions are conducive, during the peak of the spawning period. After the peak augmentation flows, remaining water in the sturgeon tier would be provided to maximize flows for up to 21 days with a gradually receding hydrograph. Under LSB, Libby Dam would provide sturgeon flow augmentation either with dam releases up to existing powerhouse capacity, or with dam releases to powerhouse capacity plus up to 10 kcfs via the Libby Dam spillway. Under Standard FC, simulations indicate that the appropriate reservoir and water supply conditions to allow for releases of sturgeon flows via the Libby Dam spillway would occur for some period of time in approximately 25% of years. Actual duration and quantity of spill operations would vary in any given year when spill is provided based on actual water supply. • Alternative LVB (Preferred Alternative): Libby Dam operations similar to Alternative LSB, but with VARQ FC rather than Standard FC. Under VARQ FC, simulations indicate that the appropriate reservoir and water supply conditions to allow for releases of sturgeon flows from the Libby Dam VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:38 Apr 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 spillway for some period of time would occur in approximately 50% of years. Actual duration and quantity of spill operations would vary in any given year when spill is provided based on actual water supply. Alternatives LSB and LVB represent new alternatives that were added to the FEIS in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s issuance of a new BiOp on Libby Dam operations on Feb. 18, 2006. The 2006 BiOp recommends the implementation of actions by the Corps, including increased releases by Libby Dam in accordance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Alternatives LSB and LVB would provide flexibility to operate Libby Dam with a range of releases to achieve habitat attributes for sturgeon using the 2006 FWS BiOp’s performance-based approach, with the spillway as the only currently available mechanism for achieving flows up to 10,000 cfs above current powerhouse capacity. In order to ensure that the Corps’ actions are consistent with the terms of the 2006 USFWS BiOp, and due to Reclamation’s ongoing consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Reclamation decided to step down from co-lead status on the FEIS and move to cooperating agency status under NEPA regulations. Each agency will prepare its own Record of Decision (ROD) for its respective dams to implement the FEIS for future operations. The Corps plans to issue a ROD for Libby Dam during the spring of 2006. As a cooperating agency, Reclamation may choose to adopt and/ or expand upon portions of the FEIS that apply to Reclamation’s actions at Hungry Horse Dam. Reclamation plans to issue a ROD on the proposed implementation of the FEIS at Hungry Horse dam following the Reclamation’s completion of NHPA Section 106 consultation and NEPA analysis and documentation. In the interim, Reclamation will continue to implement such operations as described in its March 2002 voluntary Environmental Assessment. The Corps will accept comments on the FEIS until May 30, 2006. Comments on the FEIS will be addressed in the appropriate agency’s ROD. Copies of the FEIS are available for public review at libraries throughout the potentially affected portions of the Kootenai, Flathead, Clark Fork, Pend Oreille, and upper Columbia basins in the U.S. and Canada. See ADDRESSES for instructions for requesting a copy of the FEIS. The FEIS has been prepared in accordance with (1) The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 25573 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and (3) Corps regulations implementing NEPA (ER–200–2–2). Dated: April 20, 2006. Debra M. Lewis, Colonel, District Commander, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. [FR Doc. E6–6532 Filed 4–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–92–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Pine Mountain Dam & Lake Project, AR Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Little Rock District will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Pine Mountain Dam and Lake Project, AR. The purpose of the EIS will be to present alternatives and assess the impacts to the human environment associated with providing flood control, recreation and water supply for the surrounding areas in Arkansas and Oklahoma from the proposed project. The study area includes the entire Lee Creek watershed together with the lower Lee Creek reservoir near Van Buren, AR. The proposed project could affect agriculture, recreation, flood control, water supply and natural resources within the study area. The EIS will evaluate potential impacts (positive and negative) to the natural, physical, and human environment as a result of implementing any of the proposed project alternatives that may be developed during the EIS process. Questions or comments concerning the proposed action should be addressed to: Mr. Ron Carman, USACE, Little Rock District, Planning and Environmental Office, PO Box 867, Little Rock, AR 72203–0867, e-mail: ron.r.carman@usace.army.mil. ADDRESSES: Mr. Ron Carman, (501) 324–5601. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Study History: The Pine Mountain Dam project was authorized for FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1 cchase on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES 25574 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2006 / Notices construction by Congress in 1965. Additional studies and a preliminary draft EIS were prepared in the 1970s. In 1980, prior to public review of the EIS, the local sponsor decided not to continue sponsoring the project. In 2000, the River Valley Regional Water District identified themselves as a willing sponsor and requested that the Corps of Engineers reevaluate the project. The proposed Pine Mountain Dam Project is being undertaken by USACE, Little Rock District under the direction of the U.S. Congress. A study will be conducted consisting of major hydraulics and hydrologic investigations, economic analyses, alternative development and related analyses in conjunction with the EIS. 2. Comments/Scoping Meeting: Interested parties are requested to express their views concerning the proposed activity. The public is encouraged to provide written comments in addition to or in lieu of oral comments at scoping meetings. To be most helpful, scoping comments should clearly describe specific environmental topics or issues, which the commentator believes the document should address. Oral and written comments receive equal consideration. Scoping meetings will be held with government agencies and the public in the spring/summer of 2006 in Crawford County, AR. The location, time, and date will be published at least 14 days prior to each scoping meeting. Comments received as a result of this notice and the news releases will be used to assist the District in identifying potential impacts to the quality of the human or natural environment. Affected local, state, or Federal agencies, affected Indian Tribes, and other interested private organizations and parties may participate in the scoping process by forwarding written comments to (see ADDRESSES). Interested parties may also request to be included on the mailing list for public distribution of meeting announcements and documents. 4. Alternatives/Issues: The EIS will evaluate the effects of the Pine Mountain Dam and Lake, other practical alternatives, and other identified concerns. Anticipated significant issues to be addressed in the EIS include impacts on: (1) Flooding, (2) water supply, (3) recreation and recreation facilities, (4) stream hydraulics, (5) fish and wildlife resources and habitats, and (6) other impacts identified by the Public, agencies or USACE studies. 5. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS is anticipated to be available for public review in early 2009 subject to the receipt of federal funding. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:38 Apr 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 6. Authority: Pine Mountain Dam and Lake was authorized for construction by the Flood Control Act of 1965 (Title II, Pub. L. 89–298) substantially in accordance with the recommendations of the Chief of Engineers in House Document No. 270, 89th Congress. Wally Z. Walters, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander. [FR Doc. 06–4061 Filed 4–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–57–M DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests AGENCY: Department of Education. SUMMARY: The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 30, 2006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency’s ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequent of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Dated: April 24, 2006. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Office of Postsecondary Education Type of Review: Reinstatement. Title: Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants Program (TQE) Scholarship and Teaching Verification Forms on Scholarship Recipients. Frequency: On occasion; semiannually; annually. Affected Public: Individuals or household; not-for-profit institutions; State, local, or tribal gov’t, SEAs or LEAs. Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 2,850. Burden Hours: 3,090. Abstract: Students receiving scholarships under section 204(3) of the Higher Education Act incur a service obligation to teach in a high-need school in a high-need LEA. This information collection consists of a contract to be executed when funds are awarded and a separate teaching verification form to be used by students to document their compliance with the contract’s conditions. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from https://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and by clicking on link number 3069. When you access the information collection, click on ‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202–4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to IC DocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202–245– 6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to IC DocketMgr@ed.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339. [FR Doc. 06–4075 Filed 4–28–06; 8:45am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–M E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25573-25574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4061]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Pine 
Mountain Dam & Lake Project, AR

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Little Rock District will prepare 
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Pine Mountain 
Dam and Lake Project, AR.
    The purpose of the EIS will be to present alternatives and assess 
the impacts to the human environment associated with providing flood 
control, recreation and water supply for the surrounding areas in 
Arkansas and Oklahoma from the proposed project. The study area 
includes the entire Lee Creek watershed together with the lower Lee 
Creek reservoir near Van Buren, AR. The proposed project could affect 
agriculture, recreation, flood control, water supply and natural 
resources within the study area.
    The EIS will evaluate potential impacts (positive and negative) to 
the natural, physical, and human environment as a result of 
implementing any of the proposed project alternatives that may be 
developed during the EIS process.

ADDRESSES: Questions or comments concerning the proposed action should 
be addressed to: Mr. Ron Carman, USACE, Little Rock District, Planning 
and Environmental Office, PO Box 867, Little Rock, AR 72203-0867, e-
mail: ron.r.carman@usace.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ron Carman, (501) 324-5601.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Study History: The Pine Mountain Dam project was authorized for

[[Page 25574]]

construction by Congress in 1965. Additional studies and a preliminary 
draft EIS were prepared in the 1970s. In 1980, prior to public review 
of the EIS, the local sponsor decided not to continue sponsoring the 
project. In 2000, the River Valley Regional Water District identified 
themselves as a willing sponsor and requested that the Corps of 
Engineers reevaluate the project. The proposed Pine Mountain Dam 
Project is being undertaken by USACE, Little Rock District under the 
direction of the U.S. Congress. A study will be conducted consisting of 
major hydraulics and hydrologic investigations, economic analyses, 
alternative development and related analyses in conjunction with the 
EIS.
    2. Comments/Scoping Meeting: Interested parties are requested to 
express their views concerning the proposed activity. The public is 
encouraged to provide written comments in addition to or in lieu of 
oral comments at scoping meetings. To be most helpful, scoping comments 
should clearly describe specific environmental topics or issues, which 
the commentator believes the document should address. Oral and written 
comments receive equal consideration.
    Scoping meetings will be held with government agencies and the 
public in the spring/summer of 2006 in Crawford County, AR. The 
location, time, and date will be published at least 14 days prior to 
each scoping meeting. Comments received as a result of this notice and 
the news releases will be used to assist the District in identifying 
potential impacts to the quality of the human or natural environment. 
Affected local, state, or Federal agencies, affected Indian Tribes, and 
other interested private organizations and parties may participate in 
the scoping process by forwarding written comments to (see ADDRESSES). 
Interested parties may also request to be included on the mailing list 
for public distribution of meeting announcements and documents.
    4. Alternatives/Issues: The EIS will evaluate the effects of the 
Pine Mountain Dam and Lake, other practical alternatives, and other 
identified concerns. Anticipated significant issues to be addressed in 
the EIS include impacts on: (1) Flooding, (2) water supply, (3) 
recreation and recreation facilities, (4) stream hydraulics, (5) fish 
and wildlife resources and habitats, and (6) other impacts identified 
by the Public, agencies or USACE studies.
    5. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS is anticipated to 
be available for public review in early 2009 subject to the receipt of 
federal funding.
    6. Authority: Pine Mountain Dam and Lake was authorized for 
construction by the Flood Control Act of 1965 (Title II, Pub. L. 89-
298) substantially in accordance with the recommendations of the Chief 
of Engineers in House Document No. 270, 89th Congress.

Wally Z. Walters,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 06-4061 Filed 4-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-57-M

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