Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Dam Safety Assurance Program Modification Report for the Isabella Dam Project, Kern County, CA, 6004-6005 [2010-2510]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES 6004 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 24 / Friday, February 5, 2010 / Notices live fire training; and high-speed, openwater-craft training. It is anticipated that the vessel will spend 150 days or more away from the home station. These home-station sites would only be used to support JHSV berthing and training requirements in and around the stationing location for 170 days per year. An annual maintenance cycle of approximately 45 days would occur at the home station or at another location, if appropriate maintenance facilities are not on site. The PEIS will include evaluation of the different locations which could reasonably accommodate, support, and sustain the JHSV and meet its requirements for live-fire training. The proposed action will require the Army to balance strategic, sustainment, and environmental considerations to provide greater flexibility and responsiveness to meet today’s evolving world conditions and threats to national defense and security. The PEIS will analyze the proposed action’s impacts upon the natural, cultural, and manmade environments at the alternative home-stationing sites. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Environmental Command, Attention: IMAE–PA, 5179 Hoadley Rd., Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010–5401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Affairs Office at (410) 436–2556; fax (410) 436–1693; or e-mail: APGRUSAECNEPA@conus.army.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The JHSV is a high-speed, shallow-draft vessel capable of rapid intratheater transport of Army units. JHSV stationing detachments consist of a 31 member crew and can accommodate up to 350 additional Soldiers. The vessel can reach speeds of 35–45 knots and has an equipment carrying capacity of approximately 700 short tons. It has a shallow draft of 12.5 feet for enhanced port access for the types of austere piers and quay walls common in developing countries. The JHSV includes a weapons mount for crew served weapons, a flight deck for helicopter operations, and an off-load ramp that allows vehicles to drive off the ship quickly. These characteristics make the JHSV an extremely flexible asset, able to support a wide range of operations including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports, flexible logistics support, or as the key enabler for rapid transport. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. & et seq.) and the Army NEPA procedures, Environmental Analysis of Army Action (32 CFR Part 651), require the Army to consider the environmental impacts of VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:26 Feb 04, 2010 Jkt 220001 its actions and alternatives, and to solicit the views of the public so it can make an informed final decision regarding how to proceed. The Army is working in close coordination with the Navy (which is scheduled to receive 10 JHSVs) in coordinating NEPA evaluations for this action. The Navy is completing a separate NEPA document to evaluate its requirements for the JHSV. The Army’s PEIS does not evaluate the direct and indirect environmental impacts of the Navy’s JHSV program. The Army’s PEIS will cumulatively consider the impacts of Navy JHSV stationing. The PEIS will assess, consider, and compare the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects from the stationing of up to three Army JHSVs per site. The primary environmental issues to be analyzed will include potential impacts to air quality, airspace, cultural resources, noise, and marine life. In addition, the Army will consider those issues identified as the part of the scoping process. Scoping and Public Comment: All interested members of the public, including native communities and federally recognized Native American Tribes, Native Hawaiian groups, Guam Chamorro Groups, and federal, state, and local agencies, are invited to participate in the scoping process for the preparation of this PEIS. Written comments identifying environmental issues, concerns and opportunities to be analyzed in the PEIS will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register. There will be no on-site scoping meetings. Dated: January 25, 2010. Addison D. Davis, IV, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health). [FR Doc. 2010–2142 Filed 2–4–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Dam Safety Assurance Program Modification Report for the Isabella Dam Project, Kern County, CA AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; DOD. ACTION: PO 00000 Notice of intent. Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District (Corps), in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest, intends to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Federal action to remediate seismic, seepage, and hydrologic dam safety concerns at the Isabella Lake main and auxiliary dams. Isabella Lake is located on the Kern River approximately 45 miles northeast of Bakersfield, Kern County, California. The proposed action is being conducted through the Corps’ Dam Safety Assurance Program (DSAP) for the evaluation of existing dams. ADDRESSES: Current and archival information regarding the Isabella Lake DSAP Project can be obtained from the following Web site address: https:// www.spk.usace.army.mil/projects/civil/ Lake_Isabella_Dam/. Questions or comments regarding the Isabella Lake DSAP Project may be submitted through this Web site, or written questions or comments can be submitted by mail to Mr. Mitch Stewart, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, Attn: Planning Division (CESPK–PD–R), 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Requests to be placed on a mailing list may also be submitted through the Web site or to the address provided above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mitch Stewart at (916) 557–6734, e-mail Mitch.W.Stewart@usace.army.mil, or by mail to (see ADDRESSES). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background Information. Based on current engineering knowledge, the Corps has determined that the Isabella Lake main and auxiliary dams have a high risk of failure due to significant seismic, seepage, and hydrologic issues that exist. An external peer review panel, commissioned by the Corps, has recently confirmed that the Corps’ Class I designation ‘‘Urgent and Compelling’’ is appropriate for the Isabella Lake dams for several reasons: a. A possibility of piping along the outlet conduit of its auxiliary dam (piping may be defined as fissures or openings through which water can travel inside the dam); b. Evidence that the auxiliary dam’s drain blanket is not performing as intended; c. Studies find that the Kern Canyon Fault, under the auxiliary dam’s right abutment, is active; d. Evidence that the upper 20 feet of the auxiliary dam’s foundation is loose E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM 05FEN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 24 / Friday, February 5, 2010 / Notices and might be subject to loss of shear strength during seismic loading; e. Hydrologic studies indicate that the spillway is inadequate; and f. Extremely high consequences of failure. The panel recommended short-term risk reduction measures such as maintaining the current reservoir pool restriction elevation of 2,585.5 feet, 20 feet below normal pool. The panel also recommended long-term risk reduction measures including completion of ongoing studies of major rehabilitation of the auxiliary dam and evaluation of the main dam’s overall earthquake performance. 2. Remediation Alternatives. The draft EIS will address an array of remediation alternatives that are necessary to prevent loss of life, extensive downstream damage, functional loss of the project, and the loss of all project benefits. The exact nature and extent of the remediation alternatives will be determined based on the results of ongoing geotechnical and engineering studies, public and agency input during the scoping period, and preparation of the draft EIS. 3. Issues To Be Addressed. The draft EIS will address environmental issues concerning the remediation alternatives proposed. Issues will be identified based on public input during the scoping process and during the preparation of the draft EIS. Issues initially identified as potentially significant include, but are not limited to: Soils and seismicity, hydrology and water quality, noise and vibration, air quality, socioeconomics, water supply, land use, recreation, visual and aesthetic resources, traffic and transportation, historical and cultural resources, vegetation and wildlife, special status species, and fisheries. 4. Public Involvement. Public scoping meetings will be held in May 2010 at specific locations to be announced within the local Isabella Lake DSAP Project area and in Bakersfield, California. The purpose of the public scoping meetings will be to present information to the public regarding the array of remediation alternatives proposed that may be addressed in the draft EIS, receive public comments, and solicit input regarding environmental issues of concern to the public. These meetings are intended to initiate the process to involve concerned individuals, and local, State, and Federal agencies. The public scoping meeting place, date, and time will be advertised in advance in local newspapers, and meeting announcement letters will be sent to interested parties. Written comments VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:26 Feb 04, 2010 Jkt 220001 may also be submitted via Web site or mail to (see ADDRESSES). 5. Availability of the Draft EIS. The Corps intends to issue the draft EIS in May 2011. The Corps will announce availability of the draft EIS in the Federal Register and other media, and will provide the public, organizations, and agencies with an opportunity to submit comments to be addressed in the final EIS. Dated: January 26, 2010. Thomas Chapman, Commander, Sacramento District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. [FR Doc. 2010–2510 Filed 2–4–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE [Docket ID: USAF–2010–0004] Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records Department of the Air Force, DoD. ACTION: Notice to add a system of records. The Department of the Air Force is proposing to add a system of records to its existing inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. DATES: The proposed action will be effective on March 8, 2010 unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number and title, by any of the following methods. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Federal Docket Management System Office, 1160 Defense Pentagon, Room 3C843, Washington, DC 20301– 1160. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ben Swilley at (703) 696–6172. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of the Air Force systems of SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 records notices subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the Federal Register and are available from the address above. The proposed system report, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was submitted on January 29, 2010, to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A–130, ‘‘Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals,’’ dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996; 61 FR 6427). Dated: February 1, 2010. Mitchell S. Bryman, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. Department of the Air Force AGENCY: 6005 F065 AF FMP A SYSTEM NAME: eFinance Workspace SYSTEM LOCATION: Commander, 88th Communications Squadron, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433–5344. CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM: Current Air Force military personnel (Active Duty, Reserve, Air National Guard), family members of Air Force service members and Air Force civilian employees. CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: Name, Social Security Numbers (SSN), rank/grade, service number, marital status, the number of dependents claimed for pay purposes, home and unit location data. Specific information requested for dependents are name, age, date of birth, (used for travel calculation) and residence address to determine entitlement rate for basic allowance for housing. AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM: 10 U.S.C. 8013, Department of the Air Force; 10 U.S.C. 8032, The Air Staff, general duties; DoD Financial Management Regulation 7000.14–R, Volume 7A, Military Pay Policy and Procedures, Active Duty and Reserve Pay; The Joint Federal Travel Regulations, Volume 1, Uniformed Service Members; The Joint Travel Regulations, Volume 2, Civilian Personnel; Air Force Instruction 65–114, Travel—Policy and Procedures For Financial Services Offices and Finance Offices—Reserve Component; Air Force E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM 05FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 24 (Friday, February 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6004-6005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-2510]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement and Dam Safety Assurance Program Modification Report for the 
Isabella Dam Project, Kern County, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District (Corps), 
in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest, 
intends to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Federal action to remediate seismic, seepage, and hydrologic dam safety 
concerns at the Isabella Lake main and auxiliary dams. Isabella Lake is 
located on the Kern River approximately 45 miles northeast of 
Bakersfield, Kern County, California. The proposed action is being 
conducted through the Corps' Dam Safety Assurance Program (DSAP) for 
the evaluation of existing dams.

ADDRESSES: Current and archival information regarding the Isabella Lake 
DSAP Project can be obtained from the following Web site address: 
https://www.spk.usace.army.mil/projects/civil/Lake_Isabella_Dam/. Questions or comments regarding the Isabella Lake DSAP 
Project may be submitted through this Web site, or written questions or 
comments can be submitted by mail to Mr. Mitch Stewart, U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, Sacramento District, Attn: Planning Division (CESPK-PD-
R), 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Requests to be placed on a 
mailing list may also be submitted through the Web site or to the 
address provided above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mitch Stewart at (916) 557-6734, 
e-mail Mitch.W.Stewart@usace.army.mil, or by mail to (see ADDRESSES).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Background Information. Based on current engineering knowledge, 
the Corps has determined that the Isabella Lake main and auxiliary dams 
have a high risk of failure due to significant seismic, seepage, and 
hydrologic issues that exist. An external peer review panel, 
commissioned by the Corps, has recently confirmed that the Corps' Class 
I designation ``Urgent and Compelling'' is appropriate for the Isabella 
Lake dams for several reasons:
    a. A possibility of piping along the outlet conduit of its 
auxiliary dam (piping may be defined as fissures or openings through 
which water can travel inside the dam);
    b. Evidence that the auxiliary dam's drain blanket is not 
performing as intended;
    c. Studies find that the Kern Canyon Fault, under the auxiliary 
dam's right abutment, is active;
    d. Evidence that the upper 20 feet of the auxiliary dam's 
foundation is loose

[[Page 6005]]

and might be subject to loss of shear strength during seismic loading;
    e. Hydrologic studies indicate that the spillway is inadequate; and
    f. Extremely high consequences of failure.
    The panel recommended short-term risk reduction measures such as 
maintaining the current reservoir pool restriction elevation of 2,585.5 
feet, 20 feet below normal pool. The panel also recommended long-term 
risk reduction measures including completion of on-going studies of 
major rehabilitation of the auxiliary dam and evaluation of the main 
dam's overall earthquake performance.
    2. Remediation Alternatives. The draft EIS will address an array of 
remediation alternatives that are necessary to prevent loss of life, 
extensive downstream damage, functional loss of the project, and the 
loss of all project benefits. The exact nature and extent of the 
remediation alternatives will be determined based on the results of on-
going geotechnical and engineering studies, public and agency input 
during the scoping period, and preparation of the draft EIS.
    3. Issues To Be Addressed. The draft EIS will address environmental 
issues concerning the remediation alternatives proposed. Issues will be 
identified based on public input during the scoping process and during 
the preparation of the draft EIS. Issues initially identified as 
potentially significant include, but are not limited to: Soils and 
seismicity, hydrology and water quality, noise and vibration, air 
quality, socioeconomics, water supply, land use, recreation, visual and 
aesthetic resources, traffic and transportation, historical and 
cultural resources, vegetation and wildlife, special status species, 
and fisheries.
    4. Public Involvement. Public scoping meetings will be held in May 
2010 at specific locations to be announced within the local Isabella 
Lake DSAP Project area and in Bakersfield, California. The purpose of 
the public scoping meetings will be to present information to the 
public regarding the array of remediation alternatives proposed that 
may be addressed in the draft EIS, receive public comments, and solicit 
input regarding environmental issues of concern to the public. These 
meetings are intended to initiate the process to involve concerned 
individuals, and local, State, and Federal agencies. The public scoping 
meeting place, date, and time will be advertised in advance in local 
newspapers, and meeting announcement letters will be sent to interested 
parties. Written comments may also be submitted via Web site or mail to 
(see ADDRESSES).
    5. Availability of the Draft EIS. The Corps intends to issue the 
draft EIS in May 2011. The Corps will announce availability of the 
draft EIS in the Federal Register and other media, and will provide the 
public, organizations, and agencies with an opportunity to submit 
comments to be addressed in the final EIS.

    Dated: January 26, 2010.
Thomas Chapman,
Commander, Sacramento District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
[FR Doc. 2010-2510 Filed 2-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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