United States Section; Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Improvements to the Lateral A/Retamal Dike Levee System, in the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project, Hidalgo County, TX, 18491 [E7-6743]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 70 / Thursday, April 12, 2007 / Notices INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO United States Section; Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Improvements to the Lateral A/Retamal Dike Levee System, in the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project, Hidalgo County, TX United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico. ACTION: Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Final Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508); and the United States Section’s Operational Procedures for Implementing Section 102 of NEPA, published in the Federal Register September 2, 1981, (46 FR 44083); the United States Section hereby gives notice that the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Improvements to the Lateral A/Retamal Dike Levee System, in the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project, located in Hidalgo County, Texas are available. A notice of finding of no significant impact dated January 8, 2007 provided a thirty (30) day comment period before making the finding final. The Notice was published in the Federal Register on January 8, 2007 (Federal Register Notice, Vol. 72, No. 4, Pages 797–798). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Borunda, Environmental Protection Specialist; Environmental Management Division; United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission; 4171 N. Mesa, C– 100; El Paso, Texas 79902. Telephone: (915) 832–4767, e-mail: danielborunda@ibwc.state.gov. Backgound: The USIBWC, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), prepared this Environmental Assessment for the proposed action of raising the Lateral A/ Retamal Dike Levee System located in Hidalgo County, Texas to improve flood control. This levee system is part of the LRGFCP that extends approximately 180 ˜ miles from the Town of Penitas in south Texas to the Gulf of Mexico. The Lateral A/Retamal Dike Levee System extends approximately 14 miles, from the Carlson Settling Basin to Retamal Diversion Dam. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:49 Apr 11, 2007 Jkt 211001 The Proposed Action would increase the flood containment capacity of the Lateral A/Retamal Dike System to meet the 3-foot freeboard design criterion for flood protection. Throughout the approximately 11.5-mile Lateral A segment, height increases between 1.5 and 4 feet are typically needed to reach the design freeboard value. For the 3.5mile Retamal Dike segment, typical increases in levee height range from 0 to 2 feet. The increase in levee height will result in an expansion to the levee footprint by lateral extension of the structure. Structural improvements, such as a slurry cutoff barrier or a riverside impermeable liner, may be required for some levee segments where seepage is a potential problem. The Environmental Assessment assesses potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Potential impacts on natural, cultural, and other resources were evaluated and mitigation measures were incorporated into the Proposed Action. A Finding of No Significant Impact was issued for the Proposed Action based on a review of the facts and analyses contained in the Environmental Assessment. The USIBWC is authorized to construct, operate, and maintain any project or works projected by the United States of America on the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project (LRGFCP) as authorized by the Act of the 74th Congress, Sess. I Ch. 561 (H.R. 6453), approved August 19, 1935 (49 Stat. 660), and codified at 22 U.S.C. Section 277, 277a, 277b, 277c, and Acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto. The LRGFCP was constructed to protect urban, suburban, and highly developed irrigated farmland along the Rio Grande delta in the United States and Mexico. Availability: Electronic copies of the Final EA and FONSI are available from the USIBWC Home Page at https:// www.ibwc.state.gov. Dated: April 4, 2007. Susan Daniel, General Counsel. [FR Doc. E7–6743 Filed 4–11–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7010–01–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 332–490 and Investigation No. NAFTA–103–017] Certain Sugar Goods: Probable Economic Effect of Tariff Elimination Under NAFTA for Goods of Mexico United States International Trade Commission. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 18491 Institution of investigation and request for written submissions. ACTION: SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on March 15, 2007 from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) and in accordance with section 103 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3313), the Commission instituted Investigation Nos. 332–490 and NAFTA–103–017, Certain Sugar Goods: Probable Economic Effect of Tariff Elimination under NAFTA for Goods of Mexico. DATES: March 15, 2007: Date of receipt of request. April 5, 2007: Date of institution of investigation. May 4, 2007: Deadline for written statements, including any post-hearing briefs. June 15, 2007: Transmittal of report to the USTR. ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission’s hearing rooms, are located in the United States International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC. All written submissions, including requests to appear at the hearing, statements, and briefs, should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information may be obtained from Douglas Newman, Office of Industries (202–205–3328 or douglas.newman@usitc.gov); for information on legal aspects, contact William Gearhart of the Commission’s Office of the General Counsel (202–205– 3091 or william.gearhart@usitc.gov). The media should contact Margaret O’Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202–205–1819 or margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202–205–1810). General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (https://www.usitc.gov). Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: According to the USTR’s letter, the President may E:\FR\FM\12APN1.SGM 12APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 70 (Thursday, April 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 18491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6743]



[[Page 18491]]

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

INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


United States Section; Notice of Availability of a Final 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for 
Improvements to the Lateral A/Retamal Dike Levee System, in the Lower 
Rio Grande Flood Control Project, Hidalgo County, TX

AGENCY: United States Section, International Boundary and Water 
Commission, United States and Mexico.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment (EA) 
and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Final 
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508); and the United States 
Section's Operational Procedures for Implementing Section 102 of NEPA, 
published in the Federal Register September 2, 1981, (46 FR 44083); the 
United States Section hereby gives notice that the Final Environmental 
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Improvements to the 
Lateral A/Retamal Dike Levee System, in the Lower Rio Grande Flood 
Control Project, located in Hidalgo County, Texas are available. A 
notice of finding of no significant impact dated January 8, 2007 
provided a thirty (30) day comment period before making the finding 
final. The Notice was published in the Federal Register on January 8, 
2007 (Federal Register Notice, Vol. 72, No. 4, Pages 797-798).

For Further Information Contact: Daniel Borunda, Environmental 
Protection Specialist; Environmental Management Division; United States 
Section, International Boundary and Water Commission; 4171 N. Mesa, C-
100; El Paso, Texas 79902. Telephone: (915) 832-4767, e-mail: 
danielborunda@ibwc.state.gov.
    Backgound: The USIBWC, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS), prepared this Environmental Assessment for 
the proposed action of raising the Lateral A/Retamal Dike Levee System 
located in Hidalgo County, Texas to improve flood control. This levee 
system is part of the LRGFCP that extends approximately 180 miles from 
the Town of Pe[ntilde]itas in south Texas to the Gulf of Mexico. The 
Lateral A/Retamal Dike Levee System extends approximately 14 miles, 
from the Carlson Settling Basin to Retamal Diversion Dam.
    The Proposed Action would increase the flood containment capacity 
of the Lateral A/Retamal Dike System to meet the 3-foot freeboard 
design criterion for flood protection. Throughout the approximately 
11.5-mile Lateral A segment, height increases between 1.5 and 4 feet 
are typically needed to reach the design freeboard value. For the 3.5-
mile Retamal Dike segment, typical increases in levee height range from 
0 to 2 feet. The increase in levee height will result in an expansion 
to the levee footprint by lateral extension of the structure. 
Structural improvements, such as a slurry cutoff barrier or a riverside 
impermeable liner, may be required for some levee segments where 
seepage is a potential problem.
    The Environmental Assessment assesses potential environmental 
impacts of the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Potential 
impacts on natural, cultural, and other resources were evaluated and 
mitigation measures were incorporated into the Proposed Action. A 
Finding of No Significant Impact was issued for the Proposed Action 
based on a review of the facts and analyses contained in the 
Environmental Assessment.
    The USIBWC is authorized to construct, operate, and maintain any 
project or works projected by the United States of America on the Lower 
Rio Grande Flood Control Project (LRGFCP) as authorized by the Act of 
the 74th Congress, Sess. I Ch. 561 (H.R. 6453), approved August 19, 
1935 (49 Stat. 660), and codified at 22 U.S.C. Section 277, 277a, 277b, 
277c, and Acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto. The LRGFCP 
was constructed to protect urban, suburban, and highly developed 
irrigated farmland along the Rio Grande delta in the United States and 
Mexico.
    Availability: Electronic copies of the Final EA and FONSI are 
available from the USIBWC Home Page at https://www.ibwc.state.gov.

    Dated: April 4, 2007.
Susan Daniel,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. E7-6743 Filed 4-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7010-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.