Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environment Impact Statement for the Proposed Prado Basin, California Feasibility Study, City of Corona, Riverside County, CA, 68749-68750 [2012-27756]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 222 / Friday, November 16, 2012 / Notices
Background: The CMP is a tidal
channel 3.75 miles long in metropolitan
San Juan, Puerto Rico and one of eight
interconnected bodies of water within
the SJBE, the only tropical estuary in the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) National Estuary Program (NEP).
The SJBE interior coastal lagoons and
tidal channels are connected to the
Atlantic Ocean at both ends. Extending
from east to west through eight densely
populated impoverished communities
in San Juan, the CMP connects the San
´
Juan Bay with the San Jose and Los
Corozos Lagoons, which are further
´
connected by the Suarez Canal to La
Torrecilla Lagoon and the Atlantic
Ocean. The drainage area of the CMP
comprises about 2,500 acres.
Historically, the CMP had an average
width of approximately 200 feet and a
depth between 6 to 8 feet and provided
tidal exchange between San Juan Bay
´
and San Jose Lagoon. The CMP’s ability
to convey flows has been almost
completely blocked as a result of
siltation, accumulation of household
and construction debris, and
encroachment of housing and other
structures, thus affecting the habitat
functional value and water quality in
´
both the CMP and San Jose Lagoon.
Water quality has been affected by the
lack of sewer systems and proper trash
collection in neighboring areas. The
study area is the SJBE and the detailed
project area is the eastern half of the
´
CMP from the Enrique Martı Coll
´
pedestrian bridge eastward, the San Jose
and Los Corozos Lagoons, and the
´
western half of the Suarez Canal.
Purpose: The purpose of this project
is to restore the hydraulic connection
´
and tidal exchange between the San Jose
Lagoon and the San Juan Bay, and thus,
in the SJBE. The dredging of 2.2 miles
of the CMP will restore and improve
habitat functional value and water
´
quality in both the CMP and San Jose
Lagoon, and significantly enhance the
fish and wildlife habitats and water
quality of the entire SJBE, thus
achieving ecological uplift. The tidal
restoration will achieve viable, healthy,
diverse, and sustainable conditions that
are necessary to support life. The project
will also improve the quality of life of
approximately 26,000 residents along
the CMP, addressing health and safety
concerns. As ancillary benefits, the
project will reduce the risk of flooding,
and promote recreation and tourism,
with minimal temporary negative
impact on the ecosystem and the
adjacent communities. It will create new
economic development opportunities
for the San Juan Metropolitan Area and
Puerto Rico, while contributing to the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:43 Nov 15, 2012
Jkt 229001
protection of crucial port and airport
facilities. The Project responds to one of
the most significant ecosystem
restoration and environmental justice
efforts in Puerto Rico.
Alternatives: The restoration of the
CMP will occur within the Public
Domain lands associated with the CMP
Maritime Terrestrial Zone, as per
Commonwealth Law 489 of September
24, 2004. The alternative interventions
within the restoration area include no
action, rectangular section 100 feet wide
x 10 feet deep channel width with earth
bottom and sheet piles; hybrid section
100 feet x 10 feet channel width with
earth bottom and sheet piles in some
areas and slopes in others; rectangular
section 75 feet wide x 10 feet deep
channel with articulated cement bottom
and sheet piles; and hybrid section 75
feet wide x 10 feet deep canal with
articulated cement bottom and sheet
piles in some areas and slopes in others.
All the alternatives may restore open
water resources and improve the
wetland and benthic habitat functional
value. The Corps will consider other
project measures such as in-bay
sediment disposal and the relocation of
infrastructure.
Issues: The DEIS will consider
impacts on benthic communities,
protected species, public health and
safety, water quality, aesthetics and
recreation, fish and wildlife resources,
cultural resources, conservation
resources, environmental justice, and
other impacts identified through
scoping, public involvement and
interagency coordination.
Scoping: Scoping has been conducted
by ENLACE, the non-Federal sponsor
and leading local expert, over the past
10 years. ENLACE conducted a scoping
meeting and interagency review in 2003,
and created varied mechanisms to
ensure continued participation of all
concerned parties. The scoping process
has involved federal, state, and
municipal agencies, residents along the
CMP, as well as other interested persons
and organizations.
Public Involvement: We invite the
participation of affected federal, state
and local agencies, and other interested
private organizations and individuals.
There will be a public meeting on the
DEIS following its preparation. The
exact location, date, and time of the
public meeting will be announced in a
public notice and local newspapers.
Coordination: The proposed action is
being coordinated with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS) [under
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act] and with the National Marine
Fisheries Service [under Magnuson-
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
68749
Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (on Essential Fish
Habitat)] and Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act. The proposed
action is also being coordinated with the
Puerto Rico State Historic Preservation
Office and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Other Environmental Review and
Consultation: The proposed action
would involve evaluation for
compliance with guidelines pursuant to
Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water
Act, water quality certification
(application to the Puerto Rico
Environmental Quality Board) pursuant
to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act,
certification of state lands, easements,
and rights-of-way, and determination of
Coastal Zone Management Act
Consistency.
Agency Role: As the cooperating
agency, non-Federal sponsor and
leading local expert, ENLACE will
provide information and assistance on
the resources to be impacted and
construction mitigation measures and
alternatives. Additionally, other
agencies with either regulatory authority
or special expertise have been
incorporated and are participating in an
interagency Technical Dredge
Committee coordinated by ENLACE.
These agencies may be called upon in
preparation of the DEIS.
DEIS Preparation: It is anticipated
that the DEIS will be available for public
review in the 3rd quarter of 2013.
Dated: November 2, 2012.
Eric P. Summa,
Chief, Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 2012–27752 Filed 11–15–12; 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
Environment Impact Statement for the
Proposed Prado Basin, California
Feasibility Study, City of Corona,
Riverside County, CA
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
AGENCY:
The Los Angeles District of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps) and Orange County Water
District (OCWD), the non-Federal
sponsor for the project, intend to jointly
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement/Environmental Impact Report
(EIS/EIR) to study, plan, and implement
a multifaceted project to restore
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM
16NON1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
68750
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 222 / Friday, November 16, 2012 / Notices
environmental resources and conserve
water within Prado Basin and
downstream of the Prado Dam, within
the Santa Ana River. This effort will
focus on restoring aquatic, wetland, and
riparian habitats for endangered and
otherwise associated native species,
conserving water and resolving issues
related to the alteration of the natural
sediment transport regime.
ADDRESSES: Christopher T. Jones, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles
District, Ecosystem Planning Section,
CESPL–PD–RN, P.O. Box 532711, Los
Angeles, CA 90053–2325.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christopher T. Jones, Biologist,
Christopher.T.Jones@usace.army.mil,
213–304–6234.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Prado
Basin, California study was authorized
by a study resolution dated May 8, 1964,
the Committee on Public Works, U.S.
House of Representatives (House
Document No. 135, 81st Congress, 1st
Session). It was additionally authorized
by Section 401(a) of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1986.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) previously conducted a
Reconnaissance Phase Study of the
Santa Ana River Basin and Orange
County Streams, California. Ecosystem
restoration and water conservation
problems were identified as having a
Federal interest. The study did not
identify sediment management as a
Federal interest to address at that time.
However, sediment management has
been determined to contribute to
ecosystem restoration goals and is a
planning objective of the study.
1. Project Description. The proposed
feasibility study will investigate
alternatives to restore environmental
resources, conserve water and resolve
issues related to alterations to the
natural sediment transport regime in the
Santa Ana River.
Preliminary objectives for this study
were based on identification and
consideration of problems, needs and
opportunities in the areas associated
with ecosystem restoration and
watershed development. The
establishment of these objectives
focused primarily on the authorized
study purpose of determining the
Federal interest in ecosystem restoration
in Prado Basin. However, related
problems and needs in the study area
were also given consideration.
The first objective is to restore
environmental resources in the study
area, which would contribute to the
National Ecosystem Restoration (NER)
Federal objective. The efficiency of the
restoration would be measured in the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:43 Nov 15, 2012
Jkt 229001
increases in the net quantity and/or
quality of desired ecosystem resources.
A second objective is to provide a
more efficient means of meeting the
study area’s water demands. The
efficiency of meeting these water
demands is measured in the cost of
providing the needed water supplies. A
reduced cost in providing water supply
as compared to the without project
condition would result in savings to the
nation’s economic development (NED).
A third objective is to improve
sediment management and sediment
transport in the study area.
Improvements to sediment management
and transport could result in habitat,
water supply and flood risk reduction
benefits.
2. Alternatives. Several potential
measures have been discussed that may
meet the objectives of this study.
Measures will be grouped into discrete
alternatives and analyzed in the EIS/
EIR. These potential measures include,
but are not limited to, wetland and
riparian habitat creation, restoration of
stream banks through bio-engineering,
creation of perennial stream habitat for
the Santa Ana sucker, removal of nonnative vegetation, eradication of nonnative fish species, enhancement of
habitats and structures to facilitate
wildlife movement, dredging sediment,
sluicing sediment past Prado Dam, fish
passage structures, passage of sediment
through the dam’s spillway via various
means, re-operate dam for water
conservation year-round at 505 feet in
elevation, and to re-operate the dam for
water conservation at a level higher than
498 feet elevation, but lower than 505
feet in elevation. This initial list of
potential measures may be enhanced by
input received at public meetings.
3. Scoping. a. The Corps intends to
hold a public scoping meeting(s) for the
EIS/EIR to aid in the determination of
significant environmental issues
associated with the proposed project.
Affected federal, state and local resource
agencies, Native American groups and
concerned interest groups/individuals
are encouraged to participate in the
scoping process. Public participation is
critical in defining the scope of analysis
in the Draft EIS/EIR, identifying
significant environmental issues in the
Draft EIS/EIR, providing useful
information such as published and
unpublished data, and knowledge of
relevant issues and recommending
mitigation measures to offset potential
impacts from proposed actions. The
time and location of the public scoping
meeting will be advertised in letters,
public announcements and news
releases.
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
b. Potential impacts associated with
the proposed project will be fully
evaluated. Resource categories that will
be analyzed include: physical
environment, geology, biological
resources, air quality, water quality,
recreational usage, aesthetics, cultural
resources, transportation, noise,
hazardous waste, socioeconomics and
safety.
c. Individuals and agencies may offer
information or data relevant to the
environmental or socioeconomic
impacts of the proposed project by
submitting comments, suggestions, and
requests to be placed on the mailing list
for announcements by sending
correspondence to the address listed
above, or to the following email address:
christopher.t.jones@usace.army.mil.
d. The project will require
certification under Section 401 of the
Clean Water Act from the Regional
Water Quality Control Board.
Depending upon the recommended
alternative, the project may also require
additional real property rights for
construction and operation of a facility,
compliance with Federal and State
Endangered Species Acts, and relevant
Department of California Fish and Game
Code.
4. Public Scoping Meeting: A public
scoping meeting will be held at the
Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA)
Events Center on Wednesday, November
28, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The project will be presented twice
during this open house style meeting.
The address for the IEUA Events Center
is: Inland Empire Utilities Agency, 6075
Kimball Avenue, Chino, CA 91708,
Phone: (909) 993–1600.
5. The Draft EIS/EIR is scheduled to
be published and circulated for public
review in May 2014.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–27756 Filed 11–15–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
[Docket ID: USN–2012–0019]
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice to amend a System of
Records.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Department of the Navy
is amending a system of records notice
in its existing inventory of record
systems subject to the Privacy Act of
1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM
16NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 222 (Friday, November 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68749-68750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27756]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environment Impact Statement
for the Proposed Prado Basin, California Feasibility Study, City of
Corona, Riverside County, CA
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps) and Orange County Water District (OCWD), the non-Federal
sponsor for the project, intend to jointly prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) to study, plan,
and implement a multifaceted project to restore
[[Page 68750]]
environmental resources and conserve water within Prado Basin and
downstream of the Prado Dam, within the Santa Ana River. This effort
will focus on restoring aquatic, wetland, and riparian habitats for
endangered and otherwise associated native species, conserving water
and resolving issues related to the alteration of the natural sediment
transport regime.
ADDRESSES: Christopher T. Jones, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los
Angeles District, Ecosystem Planning Section, CESPL-PD-RN, P.O. Box
532711, Los Angeles, CA 90053-2325.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher T. Jones, Biologist,
Christopher.T.Jones@usace.army.mil, 213-304-6234.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Prado Basin, California study was
authorized by a study resolution dated May 8, 1964, the Committee on
Public Works, U.S. House of Representatives (House Document No. 135,
81st Congress, 1st Session). It was additionally authorized by Section
401(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) previously conducted a
Reconnaissance Phase Study of the Santa Ana River Basin and Orange
County Streams, California. Ecosystem restoration and water
conservation problems were identified as having a Federal interest. The
study did not identify sediment management as a Federal interest to
address at that time. However, sediment management has been determined
to contribute to ecosystem restoration goals and is a planning
objective of the study.
1. Project Description. The proposed feasibility study will
investigate alternatives to restore environmental resources, conserve
water and resolve issues related to alterations to the natural sediment
transport regime in the Santa Ana River.
Preliminary objectives for this study were based on identification
and consideration of problems, needs and opportunities in the areas
associated with ecosystem restoration and watershed development. The
establishment of these objectives focused primarily on the authorized
study purpose of determining the Federal interest in ecosystem
restoration in Prado Basin. However, related problems and needs in the
study area were also given consideration.
The first objective is to restore environmental resources in the
study area, which would contribute to the National Ecosystem
Restoration (NER) Federal objective. The efficiency of the restoration
would be measured in the increases in the net quantity and/or quality
of desired ecosystem resources.
A second objective is to provide a more efficient means of meeting
the study area's water demands. The efficiency of meeting these water
demands is measured in the cost of providing the needed water supplies.
A reduced cost in providing water supply as compared to the without
project condition would result in savings to the nation's economic
development (NED).
A third objective is to improve sediment management and sediment
transport in the study area. Improvements to sediment management and
transport could result in habitat, water supply and flood risk
reduction benefits.
2. Alternatives. Several potential measures have been discussed
that may meet the objectives of this study. Measures will be grouped
into discrete alternatives and analyzed in the EIS/EIR. These potential
measures include, but are not limited to, wetland and riparian habitat
creation, restoration of stream banks through bio-engineering, creation
of perennial stream habitat for the Santa Ana sucker, removal of non-
native vegetation, eradication of non-native fish species, enhancement
of habitats and structures to facilitate wildlife movement, dredging
sediment, sluicing sediment past Prado Dam, fish passage structures,
passage of sediment through the dam's spillway via various means, re-
operate dam for water conservation year-round at 505 feet in elevation,
and to re-operate the dam for water conservation at a level higher than
498 feet elevation, but lower than 505 feet in elevation. This initial
list of potential measures may be enhanced by input received at public
meetings.
3. Scoping. a. The Corps intends to hold a public scoping
meeting(s) for the EIS/EIR to aid in the determination of significant
environmental issues associated with the proposed project. Affected
federal, state and local resource agencies, Native American groups and
concerned interest groups/individuals are encouraged to participate in
the scoping process. Public participation is critical in defining the
scope of analysis in the Draft EIS/EIR, identifying significant
environmental issues in the Draft EIS/EIR, providing useful information
such as published and unpublished data, and knowledge of relevant
issues and recommending mitigation measures to offset potential impacts
from proposed actions. The time and location of the public scoping
meeting will be advertised in letters, public announcements and news
releases.
b. Potential impacts associated with the proposed project will be
fully evaluated. Resource categories that will be analyzed include:
physical environment, geology, biological resources, air quality, water
quality, recreational usage, aesthetics, cultural resources,
transportation, noise, hazardous waste, socioeconomics and safety.
c. Individuals and agencies may offer information or data relevant
to the environmental or socioeconomic impacts of the proposed project
by submitting comments, suggestions, and requests to be placed on the
mailing list for announcements by sending correspondence to the address
listed above, or to the following email address:
christopher.t.jones@usace.army.mil.
d. The project will require certification under Section 401 of the
Clean Water Act from the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Depending upon the recommended alternative, the project may also
require additional real property rights for construction and operation
of a facility, compliance with Federal and State Endangered Species
Acts, and relevant Department of California Fish and Game Code.
4. Public Scoping Meeting: A public scoping meeting will be held at
the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) Events Center on Wednesday,
November 28, 2012, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The project will be
presented twice during this open house style meeting. The address for
the IEUA Events Center is: Inland Empire Utilities Agency, 6075 Kimball
Avenue, Chino, CA 91708, Phone: (909) 993-1600.
5. The Draft EIS/EIR is scheduled to be published and circulated
for public review in May 2014.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-27756 Filed 11-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
