Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Skokomish General Investigation Study, Mason County, WA, 58372-58373 [2010-23946]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES 58372 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 185 / Friday, September 24, 2010 / Notices reasonable measures that would avoid or mitigate environmental effects will also be analyzed. Additionally, the USMC will undertake any consultations required by the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and any other applicable law or regulation. In accordance with the Engle Act of 1958, and the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act of 1976, the DoN is required to file an application with the BLM requesting the Secretary of the Interior process a proposed legislative withdrawal and reservation of public land to continue military training exercises at the CMAGR. The proposed alternatives would withdraw at least 222,041 but not more than 242,058 acres of public land. As a result of the proposed boundary restructuring, approximately 15,347 acres of public land not in the existing 226,711 acre withdrawal would be withdrawn. The restructured boundary would offer the best opportunities to define and manage a secure boundary for the CMAGR, safeguard public use of adjacent public land, and consolidate holdings for more efficient environmental stewardship. The public land would be withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including surface entry, mining, mineral leasing, and the Materials Act of 1947. L–EIS Schedule: This notice is the first phase of the L–EIS process and announces the 90-day public comment period and public scoping meetings to identify community concerns and local issues that should be addressed in the L–EIS. The next phase occurs when a Notice of Availability (NOA) is published in the Federal Register and local media to publicly announce the release of the Draft L–EIS. A minimum 45-day public comment period for the Draft L–EIS will commence upon publication of the NOA in the Federal Register. The USMC will consider and respond to all comments received on the Draft L–EIS when preparing the Final L– EIS. After publication of the Draft L– EIS, one or more public hearings will be held, and public notice will be given regarding the time and place of the hearing(s). The Draft L–EIS will be available for public and agency review and comment before the public hearing(s). Dated: September 17, 2010. D.J. Werner, Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2010–23984 Filed 9–23–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:12 Sep 23, 2010 Jkt 220001 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Skokomish General Investigation Study, Mason County, WA Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report/Environmental Impact Statement (FR/EIS) for proposed ecosystem restoration and flood risk management in the Skokomish River Basin which empties into Hood Canal, near Shelton, Washington. The Skokomish Indian Tribe and Mason County are the nonFederal sponsors for the project. The Skokomish River General Investigation (GI) Feasibility Study for the Skokomish River Basin is being conducted under the authority of Section 209 of the Flood Control Act of 1962 (Pub. L. 87–874). The Skokomish River channel has been filling with sediment for several decades, resulting in frequent flooding and decreasing natural ecosystem structures, functions, and processes necessary to support critical fish and wildlife habitat throughout the Skokomish River Basin. Increased sediment load, reduced flows, and encroachment of the floodplain by manmade structures are leading to continued degradation of natural ecosystem functions and habitat. The degraded riverine and estuarine aquatic habitat has caused a decline in the population of critical fish and wildlife species, including multiple ESA listed species. Additionally, the channel capacity of the Skokomish River varies significantly. Limited channel capacity causes floodwater to leave the banks at various locations, ultimately causing frequent flooding of local roads, two state highways, agricultural fields, residences, and other structures. The Skokomish River GI is a basinwide study; however, work by others, constrain the limit of Corps’ involvement to actions primarily in the lower Skokomish River Valley. Problems, opportunities, and objectives will be examined within the context of the entire watershed. Recognizing the relationships between the upper and lower watershed will ensure a comprehensive study overview. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The purpose of the FR/EIS and feasibility study is to evaluate if there is a federal interest in aquatic ecosystem restoration and flood risk management in the Skokomish River Basin. DATES: Submit comments by October 25, 2010 on the scope of issues to be addressed in the draft FR/EIS. ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Mr. Patrick Cagney, Environmental Resources Section, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, P.O. Box 3755, Seattle, WA 98124–3755. Submit electronic comments and supporting data to patrick.t.cagney@usace.army.mil FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the scoping process or preparation of the draft EIS may be directed to Mr. Patrick Cagney, telephone (206) 764–3654, e-mail patrick.t.cagney@usace.army.mil SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Study Area: The Skokomish River Basin (Basin) is located in northwest Washington, predominantly in Mason County. The project study area is comprised of the entire drainage basin, including the estuary at Annas Bay. The river collects drainage from an approximate 240 square mile drainage basin, and eventually flows into southern Hood Canal, an arm of Puget Sound. The river flows out of three subbasins (South Fork, North Fork, and Vance Creek) into a broad, flat alluvial plain known as the Skokomish River Valley. The Skokomish Indian Reservation is located within the lower valley and extends along the southeast portion of the Olympic Peninsula. The Basin is defined by the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 16 and is located within U.S. Congressional District #6 of Washington State. 2. Alternatives: The EIS will separately evaluate alternatives for aquatic ecosystem restoration and flood risk management. Alternatives that will be evaluated under aquatic ecosystem restoration will include an alternative that uses physical actions to restore the Basin’s habitat-forming processes and/or create habitats that have been lost as a result of historic alterations. Example of actions that could occur under this alternative include: increasing floodplain habitat and connectivity, restoring off-channel habitat for juvenile fish, improving estuarine functions and processes, and increasing emergent and riparian vegetation. Another alternative that will be considered will focus on benefits to the several aquatic species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Actions under this alternative could include creation of spawning and E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 185 / Friday, September 24, 2010 / Notices rearing areas, and additional fish supplementation. The no action alternative will also be evaluated. Alternatives for flood risk management include evaluation of the current levee system. Actions under this alternative may include setback levees to improve flood containment. Another alternative would study the effects of sediment removal and actions could include: sediment traps, dredging and selective gravel removal. Another alternative would focus on nonstructural actions such as flood proofing and education. The no action alternative will also be evaluated. These alternatives are not final and may change and/or new alternatives may develop during the scoping and NEPA process. A range of ecosystem restoration and flood risk management actions will be investigated and more than one option may be included in the preferred alternative. Additionally, a number of potential ecosystem restoration actions could meet ancillary flood risk management goals. 3. Scoping and Public Involvement: This notice of intent formally commences the scoping process under NEPA. As part of the scoping process, all affected Federal, state, and local agencies, Native American tribes, interested private organizations, including environmental interest groups and the general public are invited to comment on the scope of the draft FR/ EIS. Comments are requested concerning problems in the basin, possible project alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant environmental impacts, and permits or other approvals that may be required. The environmental review process will be comprehensive and will satisfy the requirements of NEPA and other relevant Federal, state, and local environmental laws. The public scoping period will occur over a 30-day period to commence on September 24, 2010 and will extend through October 25, 2010. The Draft FR/EIS is expected to be available in November of 2011. 4. Scoping Meeting: One public scoping meeting will be held on October 7, 2010 to identify issues of major concern and obtain public input on the range and acceptability of alternatives. This meeting will be held at Mason County Public Works, 100 West Public Works Drive, Shelton, Washington, 98584. An informal open house will be held between 4 and 5:30 p.m. A presentation to summarize the purpose of scoping and existing information will be made between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Then, verbal testimony (maximum 4 minutes) will be taken between 6 and 7 p.m. Written comments may be sent by VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:12 Sep 23, 2010 Jkt 220001 regular or electronic mail to EIS Scoping Comments c/o Patrick Cagney (see ADDRESSES). Ongoing communication with agencies, Native American tribes, public interest groups, and interested citizens will take place throughout the EIS development through the use of public meetings, mailings and the Internet. Additional meetings will be scheduled upon completion of the draft EIS. Anthony Wright, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander. [FR Doc. 2010–23946 Filed 9–23–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive Patent License; DQE, Inc. AGENCY: ACTION: Department of the Navy, DoD. Notice. The invention listed below is assigned to the United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Navy. The Department of the Navy hereby gives notice of its intent to grant to DQE, Inc. a revocable, nonassignable, exclusive license to practice in the United States, the Government-owned invention described below: U.S. Patent 6,895,871 (Navy Case 84072): Issued May 24, 2005, entitled ‘‘HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DECONTAMINATION PLATFORM’’. SUMMARY: Anyone wishing to object to the grant of this license has fifteen days from the date of this notice to file written objections along with supporting evidence, if any. DATES: Written objections are to be filed with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Code OOL, Bldg 2, 300 Highway 361, Crane, IN 47522–5001. ADDRESSES: Mr. Christopher Monsey, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Code OOL, Bldg 2, 300 Highway 361, Crane, IN 47522–5001, telephone 812–854– 4100. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR part 404. Dated: September 17, 2010. D. J. Werner, Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2010–23910 Filed 9–23–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58373 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No. 84.334A (Partnership grants)] Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of intent to fund down the fiscal year (FY) 2008 grant slate for the GEAR UP Program. AGENCY: The Secretary intends to use the grant slate developed in FY 2008 for the GEAR UP Program authorized by Title IV, Part A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to make new grant awards in FY 2010. The Secretary takes this action because a significant number of high-quality applications remain on the FY 2008 grant slate. We expect to use an estimated $4,481,799 for new awards in FY 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Davis, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20006–8524. Telephone: (202) 502–7676 or via Internet: James.Davis@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. SUMMARY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On November 5, 2007, we published a notice in the Federal Register (72 FR 62449) inviting applications for new awards under the GEAR UP Program. In response to this notice, we received a significant number of high-quality applications for grants under the GEAR UP Program and made seven new State grant awards and 31 new Partnership grant awards. Additionally, after determining that the amount of FY 2009 funding available for new GEAR UP awards was too small to warrant a new competition, we published a notice in the Federal Register on May 8, 2009 (74 FR 21671), of our intent to make FY 2009 GEAR UP program awards by funding down the FY 2008 funding slate. Accordingly, the Department awarded new FY 2009 GEAR UP program awards to the next highest scoring State proposal and the five next highest scoring partnership proposals. E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58372-58373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23946]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Skokomish General Investigation Study, Mason County, WA

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(USACE) will prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report/Environmental 
Impact Statement (FR/EIS) for proposed ecosystem restoration and flood 
risk management in the Skokomish River Basin which empties into Hood 
Canal, near Shelton, Washington. The Skokomish Indian Tribe and Mason 
County are the non-Federal sponsors for the project.
    The Skokomish River General Investigation (GI) Feasibility Study 
for the Skokomish River Basin is being conducted under the authority of 
Section 209 of the Flood Control Act of 1962 (Pub. L. 87-874).
    The Skokomish River channel has been filling with sediment for 
several decades, resulting in frequent flooding and decreasing natural 
ecosystem structures, functions, and processes necessary to support 
critical fish and wildlife habitat throughout the Skokomish River 
Basin. Increased sediment load, reduced flows, and encroachment of the 
floodplain by man-made structures are leading to continued degradation 
of natural ecosystem functions and habitat. The degraded riverine and 
estuarine aquatic habitat has caused a decline in the population of 
critical fish and wildlife species, including multiple ESA listed 
species. Additionally, the channel capacity of the Skokomish River 
varies significantly. Limited channel capacity causes floodwater to 
leave the banks at various locations, ultimately causing frequent 
flooding of local roads, two state highways, agricultural fields, 
residences, and other structures.
    The Skokomish River GI is a basin-wide study; however, work by 
others, constrain the limit of Corps' involvement to actions primarily 
in the lower Skokomish River Valley. Problems, opportunities, and 
objectives will be examined within the context of the entire watershed. 
Recognizing the relationships between the upper and lower watershed 
will ensure a comprehensive study overview.
    The purpose of the FR/EIS and feasibility study is to evaluate if 
there is a federal interest in aquatic ecosystem restoration and flood 
risk management in the Skokomish River Basin.

DATES: Submit comments by October 25, 2010 on the scope of issues to be 
addressed in the draft FR/EIS.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Mr. Patrick 
Cagney, Environmental Resources Section, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Seattle District, P.O. Box 3755, Seattle, WA 98124-3755. Submit 
electronic comments and supporting data to 
patrick.t.cagney@usace.army.mil

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the scoping 
process or preparation of the draft EIS may be directed to Mr. Patrick 
Cagney, telephone (206) 764-3654, e-mail 
patrick.t.cagney@usace.army.mil

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Study Area: The Skokomish River Basin (Basin) is located in 
northwest Washington, predominantly in Mason County. The project study 
area is comprised of the entire drainage basin, including the estuary 
at Annas Bay. The river collects drainage from an approximate 240 
square mile drainage basin, and eventually flows into southern Hood 
Canal, an arm of Puget Sound. The river flows out of three sub-basins 
(South Fork, North Fork, and Vance Creek) into a broad, flat alluvial 
plain known as the Skokomish River Valley. The Skokomish Indian 
Reservation is located within the lower valley and extends along the 
southeast portion of the Olympic Peninsula. The Basin is defined by the 
Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 16 and is located within U.S. 
Congressional District 6 of Washington State.
    2. Alternatives: The EIS will separately evaluate alternatives for 
aquatic ecosystem restoration and flood risk management. Alternatives 
that will be evaluated under aquatic ecosystem restoration will include 
an alternative that uses physical actions to restore the Basin's 
habitat-forming processes and/or create habitats that have been lost as 
a result of historic alterations. Example of actions that could occur 
under this alternative include: increasing floodplain habitat and 
connectivity, restoring off-channel habitat for juvenile fish, 
improving estuarine functions and processes, and increasing emergent 
and riparian vegetation. Another alternative that will be considered 
will focus on benefits to the several aquatic species listed under the 
Endangered Species Act. Actions under this alternative could include 
creation of spawning and

[[Page 58373]]

rearing areas, and additional fish supplementation. The no action 
alternative will also be evaluated.
    Alternatives for flood risk management include evaluation of the 
current levee system. Actions under this alternative may include 
setback levees to improve flood containment. Another alternative would 
study the effects of sediment removal and actions could include: 
sediment traps, dredging and selective gravel removal. Another 
alternative would focus on nonstructural actions such as flood proofing 
and education. The no action alternative will also be evaluated.
    These alternatives are not final and may change and/or new 
alternatives may develop during the scoping and NEPA process. A range 
of ecosystem restoration and flood risk management actions will be 
investigated and more than one option may be included in the preferred 
alternative. Additionally, a number of potential ecosystem restoration 
actions could meet ancillary flood risk management goals.
    3. Scoping and Public Involvement: This notice of intent formally 
commences the scoping process under NEPA. As part of the scoping 
process, all affected Federal, state, and local agencies, Native 
American tribes, interested private organizations, including 
environmental interest groups and the general public are invited to 
comment on the scope of the draft FR/EIS. Comments are requested 
concerning problems in the basin, possible project alternatives, 
mitigation measures, probable significant environmental impacts, and 
permits or other approvals that may be required. The environmental 
review process will be comprehensive and will satisfy the requirements 
of NEPA and other relevant Federal, state, and local environmental 
laws. The public scoping period will occur over a 30-day period to 
commence on September 24, 2010 and will extend through October 25, 
2010. The Draft FR/EIS is expected to be available in November of 2011.
    4. Scoping Meeting: One public scoping meeting will be held on 
October 7, 2010 to identify issues of major concern and obtain public 
input on the range and acceptability of alternatives. This meeting will 
be held at Mason County Public Works, 100 West Public Works Drive, 
Shelton, Washington, 98584. An informal open house will be held between 
4 and 5:30 p.m. A presentation to summarize the purpose of scoping and 
existing information will be made between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Then, verbal 
testimony (maximum 4 minutes) will be taken between 6 and 7 p.m. 
Written comments may be sent by regular or electronic mail to EIS 
Scoping Comments c/o Patrick Cagney (see ADDRESSES). Ongoing 
communication with agencies, Native American tribes, public interest 
groups, and interested citizens will take place throughout the EIS 
development through the use of public meetings, mailings and the 
Internet. Additional meetings will be scheduled upon completion of the 
draft EIS.

Anthony Wright,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 2010-23946 Filed 9-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P

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