Notice of Availability of a Draft Integrated System Investment Plan and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Ohio River Mainstem System Study, 30391-30393 [06-4884]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Notices
Office of the Secretary
Strategic Environmental Research and
Development Program, Scientific
Advisory Board
Department of Defense.
Notice open meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Commander, U.S. Army
Medical Research and Materiel
Command, ATTN: Command Judge
Advocate, MCMR–ZA–J, 504 Scott
Street, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD
21702–5012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
patent issues, Ms. Elizabeth Arwine,
Patent Attorney, (301) 619–7808. For
licensing issues, Dr. Paul Mele, Office of
Research & Technology Assessment,
(301) 619–6664, both at telefax (301)
619–5034.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A device
for gathering image information about a
region of tissue that has been exposed
to a contrast agent and methods of use
thereof. The device preferably includes
night vision goggles, and an excitation
source that generates light of a
wavelength to activate the contrast
agent. The excitation source preferably
is attached to the night vision goggles
and is capable of directing light to a
target. A filter preferably is attached to
the night vision goggles, wherein the
filter passes light sufficient to form an
image of the region of tissue, and
wherein the image may be assessed to
determine the viability of the region of
tissue.
ADDRESSES:
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
SUMMARY: This Notice is published in
accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. 92–463). The topic of the meeting on
June 13–14, 2006 are to review new start
and continuing research and
development projects requesting
Strategic Environmental Research and
Development Program funds in excess
of $1M. This meeting is open to the
public. Any interested person may
attend, appear before, or file statements
with the Scientific Advisory Board at
the time and in the manner permitted by
the Board.
DATES: June 13, 2006 from 8 a.m. to 12
p.m. and June 14, 2006 from 8 a.m. to
5 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Battelle Eastern Science and
Technology Center, 1204 Technology
Drive, Aberdeen, MD 21001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Misa Jensen, SERDP Program Office, 901
North Stuart Street, Suite 303,
Arlington, VA or by telephone at (703)
696-2126.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 06–4880 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–08–M
C.R. Choate,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 06–4887 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
BILLING CODE 5001–06–M
Notice of Availability of a Draft
Integrated System Investment Plan and
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement for the Ohio River Mainstem
System Study
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
Availability for Non-Exclusive,
Exclusive, or Partially Exclusive
Licensing of U.S. Patent Application
Concerning Wearable Tissue Viability
Diagnostic Unit
Department of the Army, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: In accordance with 37 CFR
404.6 and 404.7, announcement is made
of the availability for licensing of U.S.
Patent Application No. 10/882,310
entitled ‘‘Wearable Tissue Viability
Diagnostic Unit,’’ filed July 2, 2004.
Foreign rights also available (PCT/
US04/021654). The United States
Government, as represented by the
Secretary of the Army, has rights in this
invention.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:12 May 25, 2006
Jkt 208001
SUMMARY: a. Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
Great Lakes and Ohio River Division of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps) is seeking comments on a draft
System Investment Plan and
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement (SIP/PEIS) that evaluates
alternative investment strategies for the
maintenance of commercial navigation
infrastructure along with the ecosystem
sustainability needs on the Ohio River
System for the next 60 years.
b. The primary purpose of the Ohio
River Mainstem Systems Study
(ORMSS) is to develop the best SIP for
maintaining safe, environmentally
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30391
sustainable, and reliable navigation on
the Ohio River over a 60-year period
from 2010 to 2070. The study evaluated
the operation and maintenance,
rehabilitation, and construction
reinvestment needs at the 19 navigation
lock and dam sites on the Ohio River
Mainstem. The study reports on five
plans for meeting these needs based on
five different traffic forecast scenarios.
The future reliable operation of these
structures is critical to the continued
growth in commercial navigation
throughout the Ohio River basin. In
response to stakeholder input, the study
purpose was modified to include the
identification of measures to improve
ecological sustainability to provide a
balance between economic and
environmental improvements.
c. In order to facilitate review, the
Corps will be conducting six public
meetings along the Ohio River to solicit
comments on its proposed plan. (See
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates,
times and locations).
d. The Corps will be providing copies
of the SIP/PEIS at numerous locations
for review by the public. (See
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for
locations).
e. The review and comment period for
this draft document will be 60 days.
DATES: Submit comments on or before
July 25, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send all written comments
and queries concerning this draft report
to Mr. Jeffrey Benedict, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Pittsburgh District,
William S. Morehead Building, 1000
Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222–
4186. Telephone: (412) 395–7202.
Electronic mail: celrlormss@lrl02.usace.army.mil. Fax: (412)
644–2673.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Veronica Rife, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Louisville District, 600 Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Place, Louisville,
KY 40202. Telephone: (502) 315–6785.
Electronic mail: celrlormss@lrl02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority: The proposed action is
being conducted under the authority of
United States Senate, Committee on
Public Works resolution dated May 16,
1955; and United States House of
Representatives, Committee on Public
Works and Transportation resolution
dated March 11, 1982.
2. Background: a. The ORMSS draft
report is an integrated System
Investment Plan (SIP) and Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS).
The PEIS is centered on a system-wide
Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA)
and other studies that focused on
E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM
26MYN1
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
30392
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Notices
specific issues identified through the
study scoping process.
b. A variety of stakeholders
participated in the development of the
study through forums as varied as
public meetings and workshops with
industry groups, environmental groups,
and academia. The ORMSS study team
has solicited input and shared work
with interested stakeholders through
various communication channels.
c. The major engineering and
economic variables in developing a
system investment plan for the
mainstem locks are lock condition and
traffic demand. Forecasts of both
variables are uncertain giving rise to the
need for a risk based analysis to insure
that the study conclusions and
recommendations cover the plausible
range of future scenarios. Engineering
reliability models were used to analyze
lock component reliability and capture
the uncertainty of lock performance
while accommodating forecasted traffic
demand. Multiple traffic forecasts were
used to model river traffic. Five
forecasts were developed for the study,
each recognizing that the primary driver
of river traffic is utility coal at 50–60%
of system tonnage transported.
d. The with-project condition (WPC)
is the plan that best addresses the stated
planning objectives and addresses the
problems and opportunities. The
planning objectives were: Ensuring
Future Navigability, Improving
Navigation Efficiency, and Enhancing
Environmental Sustainability. To
achieve these objectives, the study team
developed and evaluated alternative
actions ranging from proactive
maintenance and small scale
improvements to large-scale
construction reinvestments. Proactive
maintenance occurs when lock
components are replaced or a lock is
rehabilitated in advance of
component(s) failure. Small-scale
improvements considered include
floating buoys, permanent mooring cells
near lock approach points, and other
infrastructure or procedural
opportunities. Large-scale reinvestments
evaluated include chamber
rehabilitations, construction of new
larger lock chambers, and 600
extensions of some auxiliary lock
chambers.
e. Two ecosystem sustainability
alternatives were formulated for the
WPC analysis to address long-term
sustainability of aquatic and riparian
ecological resources. The Moderate and
Maximum Ecosystem Sustainability
Related plans were developed based on
expected costs, need for modified or
additional authority, complexity, and
several scientific, policy, funding and
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:12 May 25, 2006
Jkt 208001
timing uncertainties of various
measures. A total of 26 ecosystem
sustainability measures were evaluated;
12 specific types of measures in
addition to the 14 from the Without
Project Condition (WOPC). The
Moderate plan included 19 of the
measures and the Maximum Plan
consists of all 26 measures.
f. The WOPC is the most likely
condition expected to exist in the future
in the absence of implementation of
water resource project investment
alternative(s). The future WOPC
constitutes the benchmark against
which alternative plans are evaluated.
For this study, the WOPC was
formulated as the least Federal cost plan
providing viable navigation on the Ohio
River Mainstem. The WOPC as
developed is a reactive maintenance
strategy for major lock components.
This assumes that as a component fails,
it is repaired in a timely fashion;
however, no proactive maintenance is
performed, i.e., components are not
repaired or replaced in anticipation of
failure.
g. The ORMSS draft SIP
recommendations follow:
• Increase Operation and
Maintenance (O&M) investments to
maximize economic efficiency.
Complete all authorized navigation
improvements; Olmsted, JT Myers,
McAlpine, Greenup, Lower
Monongahela, Kentucky Lock and
Chickamauga.
• Provide optimal funding for the
Upper Ohio River Study currently
underway in order for this project to be
included in a WRDA in the FY 2010
time frame.
• Initiate main chamber rehabilitation
studies for Meldahl, Hannibal, and
Myers and complete by 2009. Initiation
of design of these efforts should begin
in 2010.
• Pursue planning and
implementation of measures to improve
environmental sustainability in
collaboration with other interests.
• Initiate preparation of the Program
Implementation Plan for the Ohio River
Ecosystem Restoration Program.
• Incorporate all Reasonable and
Prudent Measures into the Operation
and Maintenance of the river.
• Complete work on the Markland
gates as soon as possible. Funds
provided in FY 2006 will initiate design
and continued funding in FY 2007 and
2008 will construct the gates and place
them in service.
• All detailed evaluation of sitespecific impacts for follow on studies
and other actions would be tiered from
the SIP/PEIS.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• Initiate the Ohio River Basin
Comprehensive Study in order to assess
water resource opportunities throughout
the basin in collaboration with other
interests. Planning efforts should
include identification and evaluation of
opportunities to improve environmental
sustainability throughout the basin
including the tributaries.
• Establish a stand alone program
(Ohio River Navigation System
Investment Program) to update the data
and models used in preparing the
System Investment Plan. Expand the
program capability to include the Ohio
River dams and include tributary
(Allegheny, Monogahela, Kanawha,
Green, Tennessee and Cumberland
Rivers) locks and dam structures to
support navigation investment decisions
and manage future system risk. Use
these tools in annual budget
formulation.
• Use the Ohio River Navigation
System Investment Program to
reexamine the medium and long term
needs identified in the SIP to optimize
investments on these projects.
• All detailed evaluation of sitespecific impacts for follow on studies
and other actions would be tiered from
the SIP/PEIS.
• The System Investment Plan was
not developed considering a constrained
federal budget or considering the total
Ohio River System. Follow on actions
need to be conducted to analyze
investment strategies with a constrained
federal budget and expanded to include
all navigation locks, dams and channels
on the Ohio River and its navigable
tributaries.
3. Public Participation: a. In order to
facilitate review, the Corps will be
conducting six public meetings along
the Ohio River to solicit comments on
this proposed plan. The meeting dates,
times and locations are:
• June 19, 2006. Open Forum 6 p.m.
to 7 p.m., Public Meeting 7 p.m. to 9
p.m., Community College of Beaver
County, Allied Health Building
Auditorium, One Campus Drive,
Monaca, PA 15061.
• June 20, 2006, Open Forum 6 p.m.
to 7 p.m., Public Meeting 7 p.m. to 9
p.m., Holiday Inn, 701 Pike Street,
Marieta, OH 45750.
• June 21, 2006, Open Forum 6 p.m.
to 7 p.m., Public Meeting 7 p.m. to 9
p.m., Big Sandy Superstore Arena, 3rd
Ave. and 8th Street, Huntington, WV
25701.
• June 27, 2006, Opera Forum 6 p.m.
to 7 p.m., Public Meeting 7 p.m. to 9
p.m., Banterra Bank—Large Conference
Room, 101 West Eighth Street,
Metropolis, IL 62960.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Notices
• June 28, 2006, Open Forum 6 p.m.
to 7 p.m., Public Meeting 7 p.m. to 9
p.m. Victory Theater, 5th Floor Banquet
Room, 600 Main Street, Evansville, IN
47708.
• June 29, 2006, Open Forum 6 p.m.
to 6:30 p.m., Public Meeting 6:30 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m., Kenton County Public
Library—Large Meeting Room, 505 Scott
Blvd., Covington, KY 41011.
b. The Corps will be providing copies
of the SIP/PEIS at numerous locations
for review by the public. All locations
can be found on the Web at: https://
www.lrl.usace.army.mil/ORMSS/, by emailing an inquiry to celrlormss@lrl02.usace.army.mil or by
calling Jane Ruhl at (502) 315–6862.
c. In addition, the public can
download a copy of the document off
the Web at: https://
www.lrl.usace.army.mil/ORMSS/.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 06–4884 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 3710–GM–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental
Impact Statement for Residential,
Commercial, and Marine Development
Along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
Department of the Army, U.S.
Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Mobile District, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (Corps),
intends to prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
to address the potential impacts
associated with mixed-use waterfront
development along the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway (GIWW) in Baldwin County,
AL, specifically the stretch known as
the ‘‘Foley Land Cut’’. The Corps will be
evaluating 14 separate permit
applications for the proposed work
under the authority of Section 10 of the
Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404
of the Clean Water Act. The EIS will be
used as a basis for ensuring compliance
with the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action
and the DEIS should be addressed to
Mr. Michael B. Moxey, Regulatory
Division, phone (251) 694–3771 or email at
michael.b.moxey@sam.usace.army.mil,
or Dr. Susan Ivester Rees, Coastal
Environment Team, phone (251) 694–
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:12 May 25, 2006
Jkt 208001
4141 or e-mail at
susan.i.rees@sam.usace.army.mil,
Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, P.O. Box 2288, Mobile, AL
36628–0001.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. The permit applications propose
construction of 14 mixed-use
developments along the GIWW
consisting of the following: in excess of
5,644 condominium units, 1,780 wet
boat slips, 1,822 dry boat storage spaces,
various commercial establishments,
support facilities, and various resort
amenities. The projects will be located
in South Baldwin County on 14 parcels
of land, of which 13 parcels are located
along the northern shore of the GIWW
and are generally bounded to the north
by Baldwin County Road 4. The only
other parcel of land proposed for
development is located on Oyster Bay to
the south of the GIWW. The portions of
the properties fronting the GIWW are
expected to be used for water based
developments and include marinas,
ship stores, and associated
infrastructure. The remaining portions
of the properties are expected to
accommodate mixed-use development
and include condominium units,
amenities such as pools, boardwalks,
and restroom facilities, and light
commercial outlets. Construction of the
proposed projects will require
excavation of or placement of fill in
approximately 12.6 acres of adjacent
wetlands, bulkheads for shore
protection, and dredging of
waterbottoms.
2. The ‘‘Foley Land Cut’’ (FLC) of the
GIWW in Alabama extends from Wolf
Bay in the east to Oyster Bay in the
west. The authorization for the
construction of this part of the GIWW
was enacted in the Rivers and Harbors
Act of July 3, 1930, as part of the
Pensacola Bay to Mobile Bay segment of
the GIWW. Easements for construction
of the channel (9′ x 100′ at that time)
were acquired in the 1932 time frame,
and the FLC part of the Pensacola Bay
to Mobile Bay GIWW segment was
completed (constructed) in 1934. The
FLC is approximately 10 miles long
with the Corps holding easements
fronting the majority of the FLC and
maintains disposal areas for Federal
channel maintenance dredging. The
property fronting the FLC historically
has been developed for light industrial
use to support the commercial
waterways users. However, the western
end of the land cut near Oyster Bay
supports single family residences on the
southern shore and a condominium
marina complex (100 wet boat slips)
located on the north shoreline. The
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30393
majority of the FLC is now rezoned to
marina resort from single residential
family and/or light industrial use.
3. Alternatives to the applicants’
proposals may exist which would
reduce impacts to the GIWW and
surrounding aquatic environment.
These could include reducing the
number of boat slips associated with
each development, restricting the
number of boat slips in particular areas
along the GIWW, pursuing alternate site
layouts that may have less impacts on
the aquatic environment.
4. Scoping: a. The Corps invites full
public participation to promote open
communication on the issues
surrounding the proposal. All Federal,
State, and local agencies, and other
persons or organizations that have an
interest are urged to participate in the
NEPA scoping process. Public meetings
will be held to help identify significant
issues and to receive public input and
comment.
b. The DEIS will analyze the potential
social, economic, and environmental
impacts to the local area resulting from
the proposed project and alternatives.
Specifically, the following major issues
will be analyzed in the DEIS:
Hydrologic and hydraulic regimes,
threatened and endangered species,
essential fish habitat and other marine
habitat, air quality, cultural resources,
wastewater treatment capacities and
discharges, drainage discharges,
transportation systems, alternatives,
secondary and cumulative impacts,
socioeconomic impacts, environmental
justice (effect on minorities and lowincome groups) (Executive Order
12898), and protection of children
(Executive Order 13045).
c. The Corps will serve as the lead
Federal agency in the preparation of the
DEIS. It is anticipated that the following
agencies will be invited and will accept
cooperating agency status for the
preparation of the DEIS: U.S.
Environmental Protection agency, U.S.
Department of the Interior—Fish and
Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of
Commerce—National Marine Fisheries
Service, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration, Alabama
Department of Environmental
Management, Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources,
Alabama Department of Transportation,
and Alabama State Historic Preservation
Officer, City of Gulf Shores, and the City
of Orange Beach.
5. The first scoping meeting will be
held in mid-June in Gulf Shores or
Orange Beach, Alabama.
E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30391-30393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4884]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Notice of Availability of a Draft Integrated System Investment
Plan and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Ohio River
Mainstem System Study
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: a. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) is seeking comments on a draft System Investment Plan
and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (SIP/PEIS) that
evaluates alternative investment strategies for the maintenance of
commercial navigation infrastructure along with the ecosystem
sustainability needs on the Ohio River System for the next 60 years.
b. The primary purpose of the Ohio River Mainstem Systems Study
(ORMSS) is to develop the best SIP for maintaining safe,
environmentally sustainable, and reliable navigation on the Ohio River
over a 60-year period from 2010 to 2070. The study evaluated the
operation and maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction
reinvestment needs at the 19 navigation lock and dam sites on the Ohio
River Mainstem. The study reports on five plans for meeting these needs
based on five different traffic forecast scenarios. The future reliable
operation of these structures is critical to the continued growth in
commercial navigation throughout the Ohio River basin. In response to
stakeholder input, the study purpose was modified to include the
identification of measures to improve ecological sustainability to
provide a balance between economic and environmental improvements.
c. In order to facilitate review, the Corps will be conducting six
public meetings along the Ohio River to solicit comments on its
proposed plan. (See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates, times and
locations).
d. The Corps will be providing copies of the SIP/PEIS at numerous
locations for review by the public. (See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for
locations).
e. The review and comment period for this draft document will be 60
days.
DATES: Submit comments on or before July 25, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send all written comments and queries concerning this draft
report to Mr. Jeffrey Benedict, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Pittsburgh District, William S. Morehead Building, 1000 Liberty Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4186. Telephone: (412) 395-7202. Electronic mail:
celrl-ormss@lrl02.usace.army.mil. Fax: (412) 644-2673.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Veronica Rife, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Louisville District, 600 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Place,
Louisville, KY 40202. Telephone: (502) 315-6785. Electronic mail:
celrl-ormss@lrl02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority: The proposed action is being conducted under the
authority of United States Senate, Committee on Public Works resolution
dated May 16, 1955; and United States House of Representatives,
Committee on Public Works and Transportation resolution dated March 11,
1982.
2. Background: a. The ORMSS draft report is an integrated System
Investment Plan (SIP) and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
(PEIS). The PEIS is centered on a system-wide Cumulative Effects
Assessment (CEA) and other studies that focused on
[[Page 30392]]
specific issues identified through the study scoping process.
b. A variety of stakeholders participated in the development of the
study through forums as varied as public meetings and workshops with
industry groups, environmental groups, and academia. The ORMSS study
team has solicited input and shared work with interested stakeholders
through various communication channels.
c. The major engineering and economic variables in developing a
system investment plan for the mainstem locks are lock condition and
traffic demand. Forecasts of both variables are uncertain giving rise
to the need for a risk based analysis to insure that the study
conclusions and recommendations cover the plausible range of future
scenarios. Engineering reliability models were used to analyze lock
component reliability and capture the uncertainty of lock performance
while accommodating forecasted traffic demand. Multiple traffic
forecasts were used to model river traffic. Five forecasts were
developed for the study, each recognizing that the primary driver of
river traffic is utility coal at 50-60% of system tonnage transported.
d. The with-project condition (WPC) is the plan that best addresses
the stated planning objectives and addresses the problems and
opportunities. The planning objectives were: Ensuring Future
Navigability, Improving Navigation Efficiency, and Enhancing
Environmental Sustainability. To achieve these objectives, the study
team developed and evaluated alternative actions ranging from proactive
maintenance and small scale improvements to large-scale construction
reinvestments. Proactive maintenance occurs when lock components are
replaced or a lock is rehabilitated in advance of component(s) failure.
Small-scale improvements considered include floating buoys, permanent
mooring cells near lock approach points, and other infrastructure or
procedural opportunities. Large-scale reinvestments evaluated include
chamber rehabilitations, construction of new larger lock chambers, and
600 extensions of some auxiliary lock chambers.
e. Two ecosystem sustainability alternatives were formulated for
the WPC analysis to address long-term sustainability of aquatic and
riparian ecological resources. The Moderate and Maximum Ecosystem
Sustainability Related plans were developed based on expected costs,
need for modified or additional authority, complexity, and several
scientific, policy, funding and timing uncertainties of various
measures. A total of 26 ecosystem sustainability measures were
evaluated; 12 specific types of measures in addition to the 14 from the
Without Project Condition (WOPC). The Moderate plan included 19 of the
measures and the Maximum Plan consists of all 26 measures.
f. The WOPC is the most likely condition expected to exist in the
future in the absence of implementation of water resource project
investment alternative(s). The future WOPC constitutes the benchmark
against which alternative plans are evaluated. For this study, the WOPC
was formulated as the least Federal cost plan providing viable
navigation on the Ohio River Mainstem. The WOPC as developed is a
reactive maintenance strategy for major lock components. This assumes
that as a component fails, it is repaired in a timely fashion; however,
no proactive maintenance is performed, i.e., components are not
repaired or replaced in anticipation of failure.
g. The ORMSS draft SIP recommendations follow:
Increase Operation and Maintenance (O&M) investments to
maximize economic efficiency. Complete all authorized navigation
improvements; Olmsted, JT Myers, McAlpine, Greenup, Lower Monongahela,
Kentucky Lock and Chickamauga.
Provide optimal funding for the Upper Ohio River Study
currently underway in order for this project to be included in a WRDA
in the FY 2010 time frame.
Initiate main chamber rehabilitation studies for Meldahl,
Hannibal, and Myers and complete by 2009. Initiation of design of these
efforts should begin in 2010.
Pursue planning and implementation of measures to improve
environmental sustainability in collaboration with other interests.
Initiate preparation of the Program Implementation Plan
for the Ohio River Ecosystem Restoration Program.
Incorporate all Reasonable and Prudent Measures into the
Operation and Maintenance of the river.
Complete work on the Markland gates as soon as possible.
Funds provided in FY 2006 will initiate design and continued funding in
FY 2007 and 2008 will construct the gates and place them in service.
All detailed evaluation of site-specific impacts for
follow on studies and other actions would be tiered from the SIP/PEIS.
Initiate the Ohio River Basin Comprehensive Study in order
to assess water resource opportunities throughout the basin in
collaboration with other interests. Planning efforts should include
identification and evaluation of opportunities to improve environmental
sustainability throughout the basin including the tributaries.
Establish a stand alone program (Ohio River Navigation
System Investment Program) to update the data and models used in
preparing the System Investment Plan. Expand the program capability to
include the Ohio River dams and include tributary (Allegheny,
Monogahela, Kanawha, Green, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers) locks and
dam structures to support navigation investment decisions and manage
future system risk. Use these tools in annual budget formulation.
Use the Ohio River Navigation System Investment Program to
reexamine the medium and long term needs identified in the SIP to
optimize investments on these projects.
All detailed evaluation of site-specific impacts for
follow on studies and other actions would be tiered from the SIP/PEIS.
The System Investment Plan was not developed considering a
constrained federal budget or considering the total Ohio River System.
Follow on actions need to be conducted to analyze investment strategies
with a constrained federal budget and expanded to include all
navigation locks, dams and channels on the Ohio River and its navigable
tributaries.
3. Public Participation: a. In order to facilitate review, the
Corps will be conducting six public meetings along the Ohio River to
solicit comments on this proposed plan. The meeting dates, times and
locations are:
June 19, 2006. Open Forum 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Public Meeting
7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Community College of Beaver County, Allied Health
Building Auditorium, One Campus Drive, Monaca, PA 15061.
June 20, 2006, Open Forum 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Public Meeting
7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Holiday Inn, 701 Pike Street, Marieta, OH 45750.
June 21, 2006, Open Forum 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Public Meeting
7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Big Sandy Superstore Arena, 3rd Ave. and 8th Street,
Huntington, WV 25701.
June 27, 2006, Opera Forum 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Public
Meeting 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Banterra Bank--Large Conference Room, 101
West Eighth Street, Metropolis, IL 62960.
[[Page 30393]]
June 28, 2006, Open Forum 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Public Meeting
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Victory Theater, 5th Floor Banquet Room, 600 Main
Street, Evansville, IN 47708.
June 29, 2006, Open Forum 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Public
Meeting 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Kenton County Public Library--Large
Meeting Room, 505 Scott Blvd., Covington, KY 41011.
b. The Corps will be providing copies of the SIP/PEIS at numerous
locations for review by the public. All locations can be found on the
Web at: https://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/ORMSS/, by e-mailing an inquiry
to celrl-ormss@lrl02.usace.army.mil or by calling Jane Ruhl at (502)
315-6862.
c. In addition, the public can download a copy of the document off
the Web at: https://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/ORMSS/.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 06-4884 Filed 5-25-06; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 3710-GM-M
