Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision on the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Mechanical and Artificial Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat in the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River, Missouri River Basin, United States, 53422-53423 [2011-21894]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2011 / Notices
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emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
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VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:37 Aug 25, 2011
Jkt 223001
Research Agency Records Manager, 600
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Alabama 36112–6424.
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should provide their full name, any
details which may assist in locating
records, and their signature. In addition,
the requester must provide a notarized
statement or an unsworn declaration
made in accordance with 28 U.S.C.
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If executed outside the United States:
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under penalty of perjury under the laws
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on (date). (Signature)’.
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[FR Doc. 2011–21845 Filed 8–25–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Notice of Availability of the Record of
Decision on the Final Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Mechanical and Artificial Creation
and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar
Habitat in the Riverine Segments of the
Upper Missouri River, Missouri River
Basin, United States
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
The District Commander of
the Omaha District U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) has reviewed the
‘‘Final Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement (PEIS) for the
Mechanical and Artificial Creation and
SUMMARY:
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Frm 00026
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar
Habitat (ESH) on the Riverine Segments
of the Upper Missouri River’’ and has
made the decision to proceed with the
implementation of an Adaptive
Management Implementation Process
(AMIP) (preferred alternative) with a
construction ceiling of acres associated
with Alternative 3.5. Specific details of
the decision are captured in the Record
of Decision (ROD) for this action. The
ROD explains that the Corps will create
and maintain ESH acres in the Fort
Peck, Garrison, Fort Randall and Gavins
Point River Segments, and the Lewis
and Clark Lake Segment for the benefit
of the Interior Population of the least
tern (least tern) and the northern Great
Plains piping plover (piping plover).
The maximum potential acres of ESH to
be created is approximately 4,370 acres
total, with the following estimated
maximum acres by reach:
• Fort Peck River, 565.
• Garrison River, 1,327.
• Fort Randall River, 212.
• Lewis & Clark Lake, 354.
• Gavins Point River, 1,913.
The AMIP alternative best supports
the needs of the birds while providing
flexibility in program implementation
that will help minimize environmental
impacts as well as costs.
ADDRESSES: Questions or comments on
the ROD should be sent to: Department
of the Army; Corps of Engineers, Omaha
District; CENWO–PM–AC; ATTN:
Emergent Sandbar Habitat Programmatic
EIS; 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, NE
68102–4901, or e-mailed to:
Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Cynthia Upah, Project Manager, by
telephone: (402) 995–2672, by mail:
1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE
68102–4901, or by e-mail:
Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil. For
inquires from the media, please contact
the USACE Omaha District Public
Affairs Officer (PAO), Ms. Monique
Farmer by telephone: (402) 995–2416,
by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha,
NE 68102, or by e-mail:
Monique.l.farmer@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background. The ESH program
resulted from a Biological Opinion
(BiOp) issued by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) in which the
Reasonable and Prudent Alternative
(RPA) IV(b)3 called for the Corps to
provide sufficient ESH acreage in order
to meet biological metrics (fledge ratios)
to avoid jeopardizing continued
existence of the least tern and piping
plover, as defined by the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). The Final PEIS
provides National Environmental Policy
E:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM
26AUN1
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2011 / Notices
Act (NEPA) coverage for the proposed
action.
The ROD discusses each alternative
considered for the proposed action and
those that are environmentally
preferable. The Corps has identified an
Adaptive Management Implementation
Process (AMIP), with a construction
ceiling of Alternative 3.5 (approximately
4,370 acres), as the selected plan. The
key aspect of the AMIP is that, rather
than selecting a specific acreage
alternative, actions would be
progressively implemented and
monitored until the desired biological
response of terns and plovers is attained
and sustained. The Corps recognizes
that alternative methods such as
vegetation removal, while relatively
untested, provide the potential to
decrease impacts and costs, and could
be incorporated if proven successful.
The FPEIS describes the potential
environmental consequences of the
alternatives considered in detail. During
analysis, impacts of the larger
alternatives (3, 2 and 1) were deemed to
be moderate to high and impacts of
lesser alternatives (3.5, 4 and 5) were
deemed to be moderate to low.
Alternative 3.5 represents a midrange of
habitat available at a time when the
birds were productive, and it is
anticipated that biological metrics will
be met before fully implementing up to
Alternative 3.5. If Alternative 3.5 is fully
implemented and biological metrics are
not met, the Corps can consider
continuing to higher acreage alternatives
or other methodologies, in which case
appropriate coordination and disclosure
would be pursued (potential amended
ROD or additional NEPA).
The AMIP allows for flexibility to
provide habitat up to a point of meeting
population goals, and to minimize
impacts through approaches such as
monitoring, redistributing acreage
targets among segments if needed,
avoiding sensitive resources, using lessimpactful or costly construction
methodologies as they become available,
and avoiding over-construction of
habitat.
Implementing the selected alternative
will provide the most effective means
for the Corps to meet its obligations,
including avoiding jeopardy to the bird
species, while managing the river for all
authorized purposes. Risk of significant
impacts to the environment appears to
be low to moderate as a result of
implementation of the ESH program,
and numerous acres of ESH would be
created, which is considered important
not only to protected bird species, but
to the overall ecology of the Missouri
River.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:37 Aug 25, 2011
Jkt 223001
Concurrently with the ROD, an errata
sheet is also being made available,
which provides the comments received
on the Final PEIS along with the Corps
response to each. Also included in the
errata is an update regarding Tribal
coordination and the PEIS.
2. Document Availability. The Final
PEIS (May 2011), the ROD, the errata
sheet, and an updated Final PEIS which
incorporates the ROD and the errata
items (August 2011), are available at:
https://www.moriverrecovery.org/mrrp/
f?p=MRRP:documents.
For more information about the
Emergent Sandbar Habitat program,
please visit https://
www.moriverrecovery.org under ‘‘BiOp/
Mit Efforts.’’
Dated: August 15, 2011.
Christopher D. Wiehl,
Acting Chief, Planning Branch, Omaha
District.
[FR Doc. 2011–21894 Filed 8–25–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report for the
Section 408 Permission for the
Southport Sacramento River Early
Implementation Project, West
Sacramento, CA
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers; DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended, and the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
intends to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement/Environmental
Impact Report (EIS/EIR) under Section
14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
(as amended) (33 U.S.C. 408), and
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33
U.S.C. 1344), for the proposed
Southport Sacramento River Early
Implementation Project (EIP), sponsored
by the West Sacramento Area Flood
Control Agency (WSAFCA). Figures of
the project area can be viewed at
https://www.cityofwestsacramento.org/
city/flood.
WSAFCA is planning the Southport
Sacramento River EIP to implement
flood-risk reduction measures along the
Sacramento River South Levee in the
City of West Sacramento, Yolo County,
CA. The project reach extends along the
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
53423
right bank of the Sacramento River
south of the barge canal, downstream
approximately 6.4 miles to the South
Cross Levee, protecting the Southport
community of West Sacramento. The
3.3-square mile study area encompasses
the area of levee improvement along the
river corridor and the potential soil
borrow sites. In order to implement the
project, the sponsor must acquire
permission from USACE to alter the
Federal project under Section 14 of the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (as
amended) (33 U.S.C. 408 or, Section
408). USACE also has authority under
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33
U.S.C. 1344) over activities involving
the discharge of dredged or fill material
to waters of the United States, which are
known to be in the project area. The
project would bring the levee up to
standard with Federal and state flood
protection criteria, as well as providing
opportunities for ecosystem restoration
and public recreation. USACE, acting as
the federal lead agency under NEPA,
and WSAFCA, acting as the state lead
agency under the CEQA in coordination
with the Central Valley Flood Protection
Board, have determined that an EIS/EIR
should be prepared to describe
alternatives, potential environmental
effects, and mitigation measures.
DATES: Public scoping meetings will be
held on Thursday, September 15, 2011
at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the West
Sacramento Recreation Center, 2801
Jefferson Boulevard, West Sacramento,
CA. Send written comments by
September 26, 2011 (see ADDRESSES).
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
suggestions concerning the scope and
content of the environmental
information may be submitted to Mr.
John Suazo, 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 the mailing list
also should be sent to this address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed actions
and environmental review process
should be addressed to John Suazo at
(916) 557–6719, e-mail:
john.suazo@usace.army.mil (see
ADDRESSES).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action. WSAFCA is
proposing a project along the
Sacramento River west levee under the
California DWR’s Early Implementation
Program to expeditiously complete
flood-risk reduction measures. Known
as the Southport Sacramento River EIP,
the project proposes implementation of
flood-risk reduction measures
E:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM
26AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53422-53423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21894]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision on the Final
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Mechanical and
Artificial Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat in the
Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River, Missouri River Basin,
United States
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The District Commander of the Omaha District U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (Corps) has reviewed the ``Final Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Mechanical and Artificial
Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat (ESH) on the
Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River'' and has made the
decision to proceed with the implementation of an Adaptive Management
Implementation Process (AMIP) (preferred alternative) with a
construction ceiling of acres associated with Alternative 3.5. Specific
details of the decision are captured in the Record of Decision (ROD)
for this action. The ROD explains that the Corps will create and
maintain ESH acres in the Fort Peck, Garrison, Fort Randall and Gavins
Point River Segments, and the Lewis and Clark Lake Segment for the
benefit of the Interior Population of the least tern (least tern) and
the northern Great Plains piping plover (piping plover). The maximum
potential acres of ESH to be created is approximately 4,370 acres
total, with the following estimated maximum acres by reach:
Fort Peck River, 565.
Garrison River, 1,327.
Fort Randall River, 212.
Lewis & Clark Lake, 354.
Gavins Point River, 1,913.
The AMIP alternative best supports the needs of the birds while
providing flexibility in program implementation that will help minimize
environmental impacts as well as costs.
ADDRESSES: Questions or comments on the ROD should be sent to:
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; CENWO-PM-
AC; ATTN: Emergent Sandbar Habitat Programmatic EIS; 1616 Capitol
Avenue; Omaha, NE 68102-4901, or e-mailed to:
Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Cynthia Upah, Project Manager, by
telephone: (402) 995-2672, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE
68102-4901, or by e-mail: Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil. For inquires
from the media, please contact the USACE Omaha District Public Affairs
Officer (PAO), Ms. Monique Farmer by telephone: (402) 995-2416, by
mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102, or by e-mail:
Monique.l.farmer@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background. The ESH program resulted from a Biological Opinion
(BiOp) issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in which
the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) IV(b)3 called for the
Corps to provide sufficient ESH acreage in order to meet biological
metrics (fledge ratios) to avoid jeopardizing continued existence of
the least tern and piping plover, as defined by the Endangered Species
Act (ESA). The Final PEIS provides National Environmental Policy
[[Page 53423]]
Act (NEPA) coverage for the proposed action.
The ROD discusses each alternative considered for the proposed
action and those that are environmentally preferable. The Corps has
identified an Adaptive Management Implementation Process (AMIP), with a
construction ceiling of Alternative 3.5 (approximately 4,370 acres), as
the selected plan. The key aspect of the AMIP is that, rather than
selecting a specific acreage alternative, actions would be
progressively implemented and monitored until the desired biological
response of terns and plovers is attained and sustained. The Corps
recognizes that alternative methods such as vegetation removal, while
relatively untested, provide the potential to decrease impacts and
costs, and could be incorporated if proven successful.
The FPEIS describes the potential environmental consequences of the
alternatives considered in detail. During analysis, impacts of the
larger alternatives (3, 2 and 1) were deemed to be moderate to high and
impacts of lesser alternatives (3.5, 4 and 5) were deemed to be
moderate to low. Alternative 3.5 represents a midrange of habitat
available at a time when the birds were productive, and it is
anticipated that biological metrics will be met before fully
implementing up to Alternative 3.5. If Alternative 3.5 is fully
implemented and biological metrics are not met, the Corps can consider
continuing to higher acreage alternatives or other methodologies, in
which case appropriate coordination and disclosure would be pursued
(potential amended ROD or additional NEPA).
The AMIP allows for flexibility to provide habitat up to a point of
meeting population goals, and to minimize impacts through approaches
such as monitoring, redistributing acreage targets among segments if
needed, avoiding sensitive resources, using less-impactful or costly
construction methodologies as they become available, and avoiding over-
construction of habitat.
Implementing the selected alternative will provide the most
effective means for the Corps to meet its obligations, including
avoiding jeopardy to the bird species, while managing the river for all
authorized purposes. Risk of significant impacts to the environment
appears to be low to moderate as a result of implementation of the ESH
program, and numerous acres of ESH would be created, which is
considered important not only to protected bird species, but to the
overall ecology of the Missouri River.
Concurrently with the ROD, an errata sheet is also being made
available, which provides the comments received on the Final PEIS along
with the Corps response to each. Also included in the errata is an
update regarding Tribal coordination and the PEIS.
2. Document Availability. The Final PEIS (May 2011), the ROD, the
errata sheet, and an updated Final PEIS which incorporates the ROD and
the errata items (August 2011), are available at: https://www.moriverrecovery.org/mrrp/f?p=MRRP:documents.
For more information about the Emergent Sandbar Habitat program,
please visit https://www.moriverrecovery.org under ``BiOp/Mit Efforts.''
Dated: August 15, 2011.
Christopher D. Wiehl,
Acting Chief, Planning Branch, Omaha District.
[FR Doc. 2011-21894 Filed 8-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
