Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Puyallup River General Investigation Study, Pierce County, WA, 59123-59124 [2011-24484]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 185 / Friday, September 23, 2011 / Notices to voice their opinions on the LEDPA decision. The DEIS is available on the COE Web site at: https://www.saw.usace.army.mil/ Wetlands/Projects/HampsteadBypass and also available on the NCDOT Web site at: https://www.ncdot.org/projects/ US17HampsteadBypass/. Any person having difficulty in viewing the document online can contact the COE project manager or the NCDOT project manager for a CD copy of the document. After distribution and review of the Draft EIS and Final EIS, the Applicant understands that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation will issue a Record of Decision (ROD) for the project. The ROD will document the completion of the EIS process and will serve as a basis for permitting decisions by Federal and State agencies. To ensure that the full range of issues related to this proposed action are addressed and all significant issues identified, comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be directed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the address provided. The Wilmington District will periodically issue Public Notices soliciting public and agency comment on the proposed action and alternatives to the proposed action as they are developed. Dated: September 15, 2011. S. Kenneth Jolly, Chief, Wilmington Regulatory District. [FR Doc. 2011–24485 Filed 9–22–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Puyallup River General Investigation Study, Pierce County, WA sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Intent. SUMMARY: The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, for a proposed flood-risk management project in the Puyallup River Basin including the Puyallup River downstream of Electron Dam to VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:41 Sep 22, 2011 Jkt 223001 Commencement Bay, the Carbon River and the White River downstream of Mud Mountain Dam. This study was requested by Pierce County (the local sponsor), Washington, because of the potential for significant flooding within the Puyallup River Basin. A DEIS is being prepared because of the potential for impacts on environmental resources, particularly salmonid habitat, and the intense public interest already demonstrated in addressing the flooding problems of the Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers. The Puyallup River General Investigation (GI) DEIS for the Puyallup River Basin is being conducted under the authority of Section 209 of the Flood Control Act of 1962, Public Law 87–874. That section authorized a comprehensive study of Puget Sound, Washington, and adjacent waters including tributaries, in the interest of flood control, navigation, and other water uses and related land resources. DATES: Persons or organizations wishing to submit study scoping comments should do so by October 24, 2011. Public comment may also be made at the study scoping meeting October 6, 2011 in Fife, Washington (see Scoping Meeting). Notification of scoping meeting times and locations will be sent to all agencies, organizations, and individuals on the project mailing list. ADDRESSES: All comments on the proposed project, requests for inclusion on the mailing list and future documents should be sent to: Amanda Ogden, Study Environmental Coordinator, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. 3755, Seattle, WA 98124–3755, Attn: CENWS–PM–ER; telephone (206) 764–3628; fax (206) 764–4467; or e-mail Amanda.Ogden@usace.army.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General questions concerning the proposed action and the DEIS can be directed to: Amanda Ogden, Study Environmental Coordinator (see ADDRESSES) or C.J. Klocow, Project Manager, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. 3755, Seattle, WA 98124–3755, Attn: CENWS–PM–CP; telephone (206) 764–6073; fax (206) 764–4467; or e-mail Charles.J.Klocow@usace.army.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background. The Puyallup River basin encompasses a drainage area of approximately 1,040 square miles. Major tributaries include the Carbon and White Rivers. The Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers drain the northern flank of Mount Rainier. The study area for the DEIS will be the Puyallup River PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59123 downstream of Electron Dam to Commencement Bay, the Carbon River and the White River downstream of Mud Mountain Dam. The purpose of the Puyallup River GI study is to better identify the problems and opportunities that exist to relieve the potential for flooding, reduce flood risks and to develop a flood-risk management plan that fits Federal law and policy and is within the capability of the local sponsor to support their required share of the total project costs. This is a single-purpose flood-risk management study. The goal of this project is to identify the National Economic Development (NED) plan, the flood-risk management alternative that provides the maximum net economic benefits. In accordance with USACE policy, minimization of ecosystem, cultural, and socio-economic impacts will be significant project considerations (Reference: ER 1105–2– 100, Planning Guidance Notebook). The local sponsor may request the recommendation of a plan other than the NED, the Locally Preferred Plan (LPP). Alternatives. In the reconnaissance phase for the Puyallup River GI study, USACE identified two alternative courses of action for further analysis which are outlined below. Alternative 1—No Action: Allow the current levee system to remain in place without a major system-wide levee system upgrade. Individual jurisdictions would continue to operate, maintain, and repair the existing levees, and dams on the Puyallup River and White River would continue present operations for flood reduction. Alternative 2: Construct a coordinated flood-risk management project that would provide critically needed floodrisk management measures at an affordable cost in a reasonable timeframe and that will subsequently be authorized and implemented. Pierce County and USACE are in the process of developing an array of structural and nonstructural measures for addressing problems and opportunities and for achieving project objectives. These measures will be presented to the public at several workshops in Pierce County and to resource and Tribal groups and agencies over the course of project development. Some or all of the measures will be combined to form the range of alternatives. In the DEIS, the preferred alternative will be selected based on screening and evaluation of the range of alternatives. Scoping. Public involvement will be sought during scoping, plan formulation, and preparation of the E:\FR\FM\23SEN1.SGM 23SEN1 sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 59124 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 185 / Friday, September 23, 2011 / Notices DEIS in accordance with NEPA procedures. A public scoping process has been started: (1) To clarify which issues appear to be major public concerns, (2) to identify any information sources that might be available to analyze and evaluate impacts, and (3) to obtain public input and determine acceptability for the range of measures to be included within potential alternatives. This NOI formally commences the scoping process under NEPA. As part of the scoping process, all affected Federal, state, and local agencies; Tribes; the public; and other interested private organizations, including environmental groups, are invited to comment on the scope of the DEIS. Comments are requested regarding issues of concern, project alternatives, potential mitigation measures, probable significant environmental impacts, and permits or other approvals that may be required by any project. The following key areas have been identified so far to be analyzed in depth in the DEIS: 1. Flooding characteristics (existing and with any project). 2. Impacts to fish habitat and fisheries resources. 3. Impacts to riparian habitat. 4. Impacts to wetlands. 5. Impacts to cultural resources. 6. Impacts to surrounding communities. 7. Impacts to geomorphic processes. Scoping Meeting. Opportunity to comment on the planned study will also be available at the study scoping meeting which is scheduled for October 6, 2011 at the Fife Community Center, 2111 54th Avenue East, Fife, WA, 98424. The scoping meeting will commence at 4 p.m. with an open house, followed by presentations and a formal hearing at 5:30 pm. Details of the meeting time and location will be announced in the local media. Notices will be sent to all agencies, organizations, and individuals on the mailing list. Availability of DEIS. USACE expects to complete preparation of the DEIS and make it available for public review by the fall of 2013. Dated: September 15, 2011. Bruce A. Estok, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander. [FR Doc. 2011–24484 Filed 9–22–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:41 Sep 22, 2011 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RIN 1894–AA01 Race to the Top Fund Phase 3; Correction Department of Education. Proposed Requirements; Correction. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: On September 12, 2011, the Secretary of Education (Secretary) published a notice in the Federal Register proposing requirements for Phase 3 of the Race to the Top program (RTT–Phase 3 NPR) (76 FR 56183). The RTT–Phase 3 NPR was incomplete and included minor errors. Through this document, we correct the errors and add the information that was unintentionally omitted. Except as corrected by this notice, the RTT–Phase 3 NPR, including the date by which public comments are due, remains unchanged. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meredith Farace, Implementation and Support Unit, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202–6200. Telephone: (202) 453–6690 or by e-mail: phase3comments@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877– 8339. We make the following corrections to the RTT– Phase 3 NPR: On page 56183, third column, under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, we correct the telephone to read ‘‘(202) 453–6690.’’ On page 56184, third column, we correct the paragraph that begins with the words ‘‘Under the Race to the Top Phase 3 award process proposed in this notice, eligible applicants’’ by replacing it with the following two paragraphs: Additionally, the Department will maintain an emphasis in the Race to the Top Phase 3 awards on promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, consistent with the competitive preference priority in the Race to the Top Phase 1 and Phase 2 competitions. In order to meet this requirement, a State will include in its detailed plan and budget for Phase 3 funding how it will allocate a meaningful share of its Phase 3 award to advance STEM education in the State. To do this, eligible applicants will select from among their Phase 2 application: (1) Activities proposed by the State to meet the competitive preference priority; or (2) activities within one or more of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 four core education reform areas that are most likely to improve STEM education. Under the Race to the Top Phase 3 award process proposed in this notice, eligible applicants would be limited to Race to the Top Phase 2 finalists that did not receive a Phase 2 award, and those eligible applicants could apply for a proportional share of these funds. Race to the Top Phase 3 funding is not at the level of funding that was available for the Race to the Top Phase 1 and Phase 2 competitions. Accordingly, we are proposing that eligible applicants (1) Select from among the activities they proposed to implement in their Phase 2 applications those activities that will have the greatest impact on advancing their overall statewide reform plans, including activities that are most likely to improve STEM education, (2) use Race to the Top Phase 3 funding to support those specific activities, and (3) ensure that such activities are consistent with the ARRA requirement to allocate 50 percent of Race to the Top funds to local educational agencies (LEAs). On page 56185, third column, we correct paragraph (g) to read as follows: (g) The State will select activities for funding that are consistent with the commitment to comprehensive reform and innovation that the State demonstrated in its Race to the Top Phase 2 application, including activities that are most likely to improve STEM education. On page 56186, first column, we correct the paragraph following the estimated State budget amounts chart to read as follows: Once the Department notifies a qualified applicant of the final amount of funds it is eligible to receive for a Race to the Top Phase 3 award, the applicant must submit a detailed plan and budget describing the activities it has selected from its Race to the Top Phase 2 application that it proposes to implement with Race to the Top Phase 3 funding, including how the State will allocate a meaningful share of its Phase 3 award to advance STEM education in the State. This detailed plan must include an explanation of why the applicant has selected these activities and why the applicant believes such activities will have the greatest impact on advancing its overall statewide reform plan. The plan also must include a description of the State’s process for allocating at least 50 percent of Race to the Top Phase 3 funds to participating LEAs, as required by section 14006(c) of the ARRA. Subgrants to LEAs must be based on their relative shares of funding under Title I, Part A of the ESEA, and LEAs must use these funds in a manner that is consistent with the State’s E:\FR\FM\23SEN1.SGM 23SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 185 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59123-59124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24484]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Puyallup River General Investigation Study, Pierce 
County, WA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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

SUMMARY: The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 
will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) pursuant to 
Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as amended, for a proposed flood-risk management project in the 
Puyallup River Basin including the Puyallup River downstream of 
Electron Dam to Commencement Bay, the Carbon River and the White River 
downstream of Mud Mountain Dam. This study was requested by Pierce 
County (the local sponsor), Washington, because of the potential for 
significant flooding within the Puyallup River Basin.
    A DEIS is being prepared because of the potential for impacts on 
environmental resources, particularly salmonid habitat, and the intense 
public interest already demonstrated in addressing the flooding 
problems of the Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers.
    The Puyallup River General Investigation (GI) DEIS for the Puyallup 
River Basin is being conducted under the authority of Section 209 of 
the Flood Control Act of 1962, Public Law 87-874. That section 
authorized a comprehensive study of Puget Sound, Washington, and 
adjacent waters including tributaries, in the interest of flood 
control, navigation, and other water uses and related land resources.

DATES: Persons or organizations wishing to submit study scoping 
comments should do so by October 24, 2011. Public comment may also be 
made at the study scoping meeting October 6, 2011 in Fife, Washington 
(see Scoping Meeting). Notification of scoping meeting times and 
locations will be sent to all agencies, organizations, and individuals 
on the project mailing list.

ADDRESSES: All comments on the proposed project, requests for inclusion 
on the mailing list and future documents should be sent to: Amanda 
Ogden, Study Environmental Coordinator, Seattle District, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, P.O. 3755, Seattle, WA 98124-3755, Attn: CENWS-PM-
ER; telephone (206) 764-3628; fax (206) 764-4467; or e-mail 
Amanda.Ogden@usace.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General questions concerning the 
proposed action and the DEIS can be directed to: Amanda Ogden, Study 
Environmental Coordinator (see ADDRESSES) or C.J. Klocow, Project 
Manager, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. 3755, 
Seattle, WA 98124-3755, Attn: CENWS-PM-CP; telephone (206) 764-6073; 
fax (206) 764-4467; or e-mail Charles.J.Klocow@usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background. The Puyallup River basin encompasses a drainage area of 
approximately 1,040 square miles. Major tributaries include the Carbon 
and White Rivers. The Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers drain the 
northern flank of Mount Rainier. The study area for the DEIS will be 
the Puyallup River downstream of Electron Dam to Commencement Bay, the 
Carbon River and the White River downstream of Mud Mountain Dam.
    The purpose of the Puyallup River GI study is to better identify 
the problems and opportunities that exist to relieve the potential for 
flooding, reduce flood risks and to develop a flood-risk management 
plan that fits Federal law and policy and is within the capability of 
the local sponsor to support their required share of the total project 
costs.
    This is a single-purpose flood-risk management study. The goal of 
this project is to identify the National Economic Development (NED) 
plan, the flood-risk management alternative that provides the maximum 
net economic benefits. In accordance with USACE policy, minimization of 
ecosystem, cultural, and socio-economic impacts will be significant 
project considerations (Reference: ER 1105-2-100, Planning Guidance 
Notebook). The local sponsor may request the recommendation of a plan 
other than the NED, the Locally Preferred Plan (LPP).
    Alternatives. In the reconnaissance phase for the Puyallup River GI 
study, USACE identified two alternative courses of action for further 
analysis which are outlined below.
    Alternative 1--No Action: Allow the current levee system to remain 
in place without a major system-wide levee system upgrade. Individual 
jurisdictions would continue to operate, maintain, and repair the 
existing levees, and dams on the Puyallup River and White River would 
continue present operations for flood reduction.
    Alternative 2: Construct a coordinated flood-risk management 
project that would provide critically needed flood-risk management 
measures at an affordable cost in a reasonable timeframe and that will 
subsequently be authorized and implemented.
    Pierce County and USACE are in the process of developing an array 
of structural and nonstructural measures for addressing problems and 
opportunities and for achieving project objectives. These measures will 
be presented to the public at several workshops in Pierce County and to 
resource and Tribal groups and agencies over the course of project 
development.
    Some or all of the measures will be combined to form the range of 
alternatives. In the DEIS, the preferred alternative will be selected 
based on screening and evaluation of the range of alternatives.
    Scoping. Public involvement will be sought during scoping, plan 
formulation, and preparation of the

[[Page 59124]]

DEIS in accordance with NEPA procedures. A public scoping process has 
been started: (1) To clarify which issues appear to be major public 
concerns, (2) to identify any information sources that might be 
available to analyze and evaluate impacts, and (3) to obtain public 
input and determine acceptability for the range of measures to be 
included within potential alternatives.
    This NOI formally commences the scoping process under NEPA. As part 
of the scoping process, all affected Federal, state, and local 
agencies; Tribes; the public; and other interested private 
organizations, including environmental groups, are invited to comment 
on the scope of the DEIS. Comments are requested regarding issues of 
concern, project alternatives, potential mitigation measures, probable 
significant environmental impacts, and permits or other approvals that 
may be required by any project.
    The following key areas have been identified so far to be analyzed 
in depth in the DEIS:
    1. Flooding characteristics (existing and with any project).
    2. Impacts to fish habitat and fisheries resources.
    3. Impacts to riparian habitat.
    4. Impacts to wetlands.
    5. Impacts to cultural resources.
    6. Impacts to surrounding communities.
    7. Impacts to geomorphic processes.
    Scoping Meeting. Opportunity to comment on the planned study will 
also be available at the study scoping meeting which is scheduled for 
October 6, 2011 at the Fife Community Center, 2111 54th Avenue East, 
Fife, WA, 98424. The scoping meeting will commence at 4 p.m. with an 
open house, followed by presentations and a formal hearing at 5:30 pm. 
Details of the meeting time and location will be announced in the local 
media. Notices will be sent to all agencies, organizations, and 
individuals on the mailing list.
    Availability of DEIS. USACE expects to complete preparation of the 
DEIS and make it available for public review by the fall of 2013.

    Dated: September 15, 2011.
Bruce A. Estok,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 2011-24484 Filed 9-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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