Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Delta Wetlands Project in San Joaquin and Contra Costa Counties, CA, Corps Permit Application Number SPK-1901-09804, 13643-13645 [2013-04722]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2013 / Notices tagged, measured, weighed, tissue and blood sampled and photographed. Foraging samples would be collected by lavage from 25 of the green sea turtles annually. Each year up to 15 of the juvenile green sea turtles would have an acoustic transmitter attached to the carapace for tracking movements. In addition to captures, green, loggerhead, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, and leatherback sea turtles would be counted during vessel surveys in the nearshore waters of Florida and Georgia. Dated: February 20, 2013. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–04404 Filed 2–27–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request Corporation for National and Community Service. ACTION: Notice. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, CNCS is soliciting comments concerning its proposed renewal of the Learn and Serve Progress Report. The Learn and Serve grantees submit this progress report via eGrants. Copies of the information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the addresses section of this Notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office listed in the ADDRESSES section by April 29, 2013. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:12 Feb 27, 2013 Jkt 229001 CNCS is particularly interested in comments that: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of CNCS, including whether the information will have practical utility. • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used. • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are expected to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses). Background: The Learn and Serve grantees submit this progress report via eGrants. The Learn and Serve program staff will use the information to monitor progress, and to respond to requests from Congress and other stakeholders. Current Action: CNCS seeks to renew the current information collection. The information collected in the Grantee Progress Report may be used by the Corporation’s Office of Public Affairs to promote service. Learn and Serve program staff will use the information to monitor progress, and to respond to requests from Congress and other stakeholders. Some information provided in the Progress Report may be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: SUMMARY: (1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Field Liaison/LSA. Attention: Sylvie Mortimer, Field Liaison Specialist; 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC, 20525. (2) By hand delivery or by courier to the CNCS mailroom at Room 8100 at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. (3) By fax to: (202) 606–3475, Attention: Sylvie Mortimer, Field Liaison Specialist. (4) Electronically through www.regulations.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY–TDD) may call 1–800–833– 3722 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sylvie Mortimer, (202) 606–6749 number, or by email at smortimer@cns.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13643 used by the Corporation’s Office of Public Affairs to promote service. Program staff also use the information to identify trends and issues that may lead to changes in policies and procedures, allocation of training and technical assistance, or opportunities for peer learning. The information collection will otherwise be used in the same manner as the existing application. CNCS also seeks to continue using the current application until the revised application is approved by OMB. The current application is due to expire on 7/31/ 2013. Type of Review: Renewal. Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service. Title: Learn and Serve Progress Report Information Collection. OMB Number: 3045–0089. Agency Number: None. Affected Public: The public affected are the beneficiaries of the Learn and Serve grants and their broad communities. Total Respondents: Twenty-three grantees will respond to this information request. Frequency: One final progress report for each grantee. Average Time per Response: Averages 30 minutes. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 11.5 hours. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): None. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: February 19, 2013. Mike Berning, Director, Office of Field Liaison. [FR Doc. 2013–04609 Filed 2–27–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050–$$–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Delta Wetlands Project in San Joaquin and Contra Costa Counties, CA, Corps Permit Application Number SPK–1901–09804 Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice of Intent. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1 13644 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2013 / Notices Delta Wetland Properties (Applicant) has applied for a Department of Army permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (R & H A) to develop two Reservoir Islands (Bacon Island and Webb Tract). Applications with the Department of Army under Section 404 of the CWA for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States and under the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) Section 10 for activities within navigable waters were first filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in 1987. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued no-jeopardy Biological Opinions (BOs) for the project in May and June 2000. The Corps issued a Department of the Army Permit under CWA Section 404 (Permit 190109804) for the project on June 26, 2002. Permit 190109804 required that construction be completed by December 31, 2007. The applicant is applying for a new permit for the project because the previously issued permit has expired. The Corps has determined that a Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Delta Wetlands Project (prepared in 2001) is required. Delta Wetland Properties has applied for a new Department of the Army permit to fill approximately 2,156 acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands, to implement the project. DATES: The Corps will conduct a public scoping meeting that will be held on Monday, March 11, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The public scoping meeting will be held at the Tsakopoulos Galleria Library located at 828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Marc Fugler, (916) 557–5255, mailto: marc.a.fugler@usace.army.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments on the permit application on or before March 20, 2013. Scoping comments should be submitted within the next 60 days, but may be submitted at any time prior to publication of the Supplemental Draft EIS. To submit comments on this notice or for questions about the proposed action and the Supplemental Draft EIS, please contact Marc Fugler, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814–4708. Parties interested in being added to the Corps’ electronic mail notification list for the proposed project can email a request to spk-regulatory-info@usace.army.mil and mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:12 Feb 27, 2013 Jkt 229001 indicate which list you would like your email address to be added. Please refer to Identification Number SPK–1901– 09804 in any correspondence. The Applicant’s Preferred Alternative is generally the same as described in the 2001 EIS (available at https:// www.deltawetlandsproject.com) and the Department of the Army permit for the project issued in 2002. Since 2002, the applicant has entered into a partnership with Semitropic Water District Storage (Semitropic) to develop the project, to integrate the project into the operation of the Semitropic Groundwater Storage Bank and the Antelope Valley Water Bank, and to provide project water for agricultural uses within Semitropic’s service area. Activities that would result in the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. on the Reservoir Islands interiors consist of the construction of new intake and discharge facilities, new boat berthing facilities adjacent to each intake and discharge facility, and interior grading and perimeter levee improvements. Activities that would result in work in navigable waters adjacent to the Reservoir Islands consist of the placement of new intake facilities and installation of fish screens, new boat berthing facilities adjacent to each intake and discharge facility, and new pumps and outfalls to discharge water stored in the reservoirs into the Delta. Compensation for wetland and wildlife effects of the water storage operations on the Reservoir Islands would be provided by implementing a Habitat Management Plan (HMP) on two Habitat Islands (Bouldin Island and the majority of Holland Tract). Bacon Island and Bouldin Island are located in San Joaquin County and Holland Tract and Webb Tract are located in Contra Costa County. A wetland delineation for the project islands verified by the Corps in April 2002 identified a total of 860.47 acres of jurisdictional waters. This delineation expired in 2007 and an updated delineation was conducted for the project islands in 2012. The updated delineation identifies a total of 3,851.70 acres of potentially jurisdictional features. The primary differences in the verifications consist of the reclassification of ‘‘exotic marsh’’ in the 2002 delineation to freshwater marsh and the addition of two wetland types: Agricultural wetlands and forested wetlands. The updated delineation identifies the following acreages of potentially jurisdictional waters on the project islands: Bacon Island 572.69 acres, Webb Tract 1,583.61 acres, Holland Tract 996.28 acres, and Bouldin PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Island 699.12 acres. The applicant proposes to fill approximately 2,156 acres of potentially jurisdictional waters on the Reservoir Islands. Impacts would be mitigated through implementation of the HMP which would create or enhance (net) 1,147 acres of wetlands and other waters of the U.S. on the Habitat Islands. In addition, any wetlands not filled by levee improvements, intake construction, or mass grading on the Reservoir Islands would be converted to seasonally open water habitat (lacustrine). The Supplemental EIS will include alternatives to the Proposed Action that will meet NEPA requirements for a reasonable range of alternatives, and will also meet the requirements of the CWA Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines. The alternatives to be evaluated in the Supplemental EIS are anticipated to consist of the following: (1) An alternative with different operating criteria for diversion and discharge of stored water, (2) the project as proposed in the 404 permit application (i.e., the Applicant’s Preferred Alternative), (3) an alternative in which all four islands would be used as reservoirs with some compensation habitat provided on Bouldin Island, and (4) the No Project Alternative in which the four islands would continue to be used for intensive agricultural operations. The Corps’ public involvement program includes several opportunities to provide oral and written comments on the proposed Delta Wetlands Project through the NEPA process. Affected federal, state, regional, and local agencies, Native American tribes, and other interested organizations and parties are invited to participate. Potentially significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the Supplemental EIS include loss of waters of the United States (including wetlands), and impacts related to water supply, water quality, utilities and public services, traffic and navigation, fish, vegetation and wetlands, wildlife, land use and agriculture, recreation, visual resources, air quality, climate change, and socioeconomics. The Corps will reinitiate formal consultation with USFWS and NMFS under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for impacts to listed species that may result from the project. The Corps will also reinitiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for properties listed or potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, as appropriate. The Supplemental EIS is expected to be made available to the public in 2013. E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2013 / Notices Dated: February 13, 2013. William J. Leady, Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer. clarify information related to the Draft EIS. The public meetings will be held between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at each of the locations and dates listed below: [FR Doc. 2013–04722 Filed 2–27–13; 8:45 am] 1. Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at Lemoore Civic Auditorium, 435 C Street, Lemoore, California 93245. 2. Thursday, March 21, 2013 at Southwest High School, Multipurpose Room, 2001 Ocotillo Drive, El Centro, California 92243. BILLING CODE 3720–58–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Clean Air Act General Conformity Determination for U.S. Navy F–35C West Coast Homebasing Department of the Navy, DoD. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and regulations implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 1500– 1508), the Department of the Navy (DoN) has prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects that may result from homebasing the U.S. Navy F–35C (Joint Strike Fighter) aircraft at either Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, California or Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California. In addition, pursuant to the USEPA’s Clean Air Act (CAA) General Conformity Regulations (40 CFR part 93, subpart B), the DoN has prepared a Draft CAA General Conformity Determination, which is included in the Draft EIS, to address air emission impacts associated with proposed F– 35C homebasing. With the filing of the Draft EIS (including the Draft CAA General Conformity Determination), the DoN is initiating a 60-day public comment period beginning on February 15, 2013 and ending on April 22, 2013. During this period, the DoN will conduct two public meetings to receive oral and written comments on the Draft EIS and Draft CAA General Conformity Determination. This notice announces the dates, times, and locations of the public meetings and provides supplementary information about the environmental planning effort. DATES: Public information and comment meetings will be held by the DoN to provide individuals with information on the Draft EIS and Draft CAA General Conformity Determination in an open house format. DoN representatives will be available at informational poster stations during the public meetings to mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:12 Feb 27, 2013 Jkt 229001 Federal, state, and local agencies and officials, and interested groups and individuals are encouraged to provide comments in person at the public meetings or in writing anytime during the public comment period. At the public meetings, attendees will be able to submit comments in writing and orally to a stenographer who will listen to and transcribe comments. All statements submitted during the public review period, whether oral or written, will be given equal consideration, become part of the public record on the Draft EIS, and be responded to in the Final EIS. Comments received on the Draft General Conformity Determination during the 60-day public comment period will be considered fully before the DoN makes a Final General Conformity Determination. Written comments may be submitted via the U.S. Postal Service or electronically as described below. ADDRESSES: A copy of the Draft EIS for U.S. Navy F–35C West Coast Homebasing (with the Draft CAA General Conformity Determination) is available for electronic viewing or download at www.navyf35cwestcoasteis.com. Comments on the Draft EIS and Draft CAA General Conformity Determination can be submitted electronically via the project Web site or in writing to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, Attn: Code EV21.AK (F–35C EIS Project Manager), 1220 Pacific Highway, Building 1, 5th Floor, San Diego, CA 92132. All written comments must be postmarked or received online by April 22, 2013 to ensure they become part of the official record. A paper copy of the Executive Summary or a single compact disc of the Draft EIS with the Draft CAA General Conformity Determination will be made available upon written request to the address above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, Attn: Code EV21.AK (F–35C EIS Project Manager), 1220 Pacific Highway, Building 1, 5th Floor, San Diego, CA 92132. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Intent to prepare this Draft EIS was PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13645 published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2011 (76 FR 5144). The DoN proposes to provide facilities and functions on the West Coast of the United States to support homebasing F– 35C aircraft in the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet. The purpose of the proposed action is to replace aging DoN Pacific Fleet FA–18 aircraft with F–35C aircraft while meeting pilot training and readiness requirements. The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects of three alternatives, including the No Action Alternative and two action alternatives. Alternative 1 analyzes F–35C homebasing at NAF El Centro. Alternative 2 analyzes F–35C homebasing at NAS Lemoore. The analysis addresses aircraft replacement and transition, facility and infrastructure requirements, personnel requirements, and aircraft operations in the airfield environment and in airspace within the vicinity of each installation. Significant adverse impacts are identified for noise, land use, socioeconomics, and ground traffic and transportation with implementation of Alternative 1, Homebasing the F–35C at NAF El Centro. No significant impacts are identified for any resource area with implementation of Alternative 2, Homebasing the F–35C at NAS Lemoore. No mitigation measures were identified during the development of the Draft EIS. While no basing decision has been made, Alternative 2, Homebasing the F– 35C at NAS Lemoore, is the DoN’s preferred home basing alternative because it would best meet mission requirements, would have fewer environmental effects, and would cost less. The DoN F–35C West Coast Homebasing Draft EIS with the Draft CAA General Conformity Determination was distributed to federal, state, and local agencies, elected officials, and other interested individuals and organizations. Copies of the Draft EIS with the Draft CAA General Conformity Determination are available for public review at the following libraries: 1. City of El Centro Public Library, 1140 North Imperial Avenue, El Centro, California 92243. 2. City of Imperial Public Library, 200 West 9th Street, Imperial, California 92251. 3. Imperial County Free Library, Holtville Branch, 101 East 6th Street, Holtville, California 92250. 4. Imperial County Free Library, Heber Branch, 1078 Dogwood Road, Heber, California 92257. 5. Imperial County Free Library, Seeley Library Services provided at the Seeley Community Church, 1774 West Rio Vista Street, Seeley, California 92243. E:\FR\FM\28FEN1.SGM 28FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 40 (Thursday, February 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13643-13645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04722]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Proposed Delta Wetlands Project in San Joaquin and Contra Costa 
Counties, CA, Corps Permit Application Number SPK-1901-09804

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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

[[Page 13644]]

SUMMARY:  Delta Wetland Properties (Applicant) has applied for a 
Department of Army permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act 
(CWA) and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (R & H A) to 
develop two Reservoir Islands (Bacon Island and Webb Tract). 
Applications with the Department of Army under Section 404 of the CWA 
for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United 
States and under the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) Section 10 for 
activities within navigable waters were first filed with the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers (Corps) in 1987. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued no-jeopardy 
Biological Opinions (BOs) for the project in May and June 2000. The 
Corps issued a Department of the Army Permit under CWA Section 404 
(Permit 190109804) for the project on June 26, 2002. Permit 190109804 
required that construction be completed by December 31, 2007. The 
applicant is applying for a new permit for the project because the 
previously issued permit has expired.
    The Corps has determined that a Supplement to the Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Delta Wetlands Project (prepared in 
2001) is required. Delta Wetland Properties has applied for a new 
Department of the Army permit to fill approximately 2,156 acres of 
waters of the United States, including wetlands, to implement the 
project.

DATES:  The Corps will conduct a public scoping meeting that will be 
held on Monday, March 11, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public scoping meeting will be held at the Tsakopoulos 
Galleria Library located at 828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mr. Marc Fugler, (916) 557-5255, 
mailto:marc.a.fugler@usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to submit 
written comments on the permit application on or before March 20, 2013. 
Scoping comments should be submitted within the next 60 days, but may 
be submitted at any time prior to publication of the Supplemental Draft 
EIS. To submit comments on this notice or for questions about the 
proposed action and the Supplemental Draft EIS, please contact Marc 
Fugler, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-4708. Parties interested in 
being added to the Corps' electronic mail notification list for the 
proposed project can email a request to spk-regulatory-info@usace.army.mil and indicate which list you would like your email 
address to be added. Please refer to Identification Number SPK-1901-
09804 in any correspondence.
    The Applicant's Preferred Alternative is generally the same as 
described in the 2001 EIS (available at https://www.deltawetlandsproject.com) and the Department of the Army permit for 
the project issued in 2002. Since 2002, the applicant has entered into 
a partnership with Semitropic Water District Storage (Semitropic) to 
develop the project, to integrate the project into the operation of the 
Semitropic Groundwater Storage Bank and the Antelope Valley Water Bank, 
and to provide project water for agricultural uses within Semitropic's 
service area.
    Activities that would result in the discharge of dredged or fill 
material into waters of the U.S. on the Reservoir Islands interiors 
consist of the construction of new intake and discharge facilities, new 
boat berthing facilities adjacent to each intake and discharge 
facility, and interior grading and perimeter levee improvements. 
Activities that would result in work in navigable waters adjacent to 
the Reservoir Islands consist of the placement of new intake facilities 
and installation of fish screens, new boat berthing facilities adjacent 
to each intake and discharge facility, and new pumps and outfalls to 
discharge water stored in the reservoirs into the Delta. Compensation 
for wetland and wildlife effects of the water storage operations on the 
Reservoir Islands would be provided by implementing a Habitat 
Management Plan (HMP) on two Habitat Islands (Bouldin Island and the 
majority of Holland Tract). Bacon Island and Bouldin Island are located 
in San Joaquin County and Holland Tract and Webb Tract are located in 
Contra Costa County.
    A wetland delineation for the project islands verified by the Corps 
in April 2002 identified a total of 860.47 acres of jurisdictional 
waters. This delineation expired in 2007 and an updated delineation was 
conducted for the project islands in 2012. The updated delineation 
identifies a total of 3,851.70 acres of potentially jurisdictional 
features. The primary differences in the verifications consist of the 
reclassification of ``exotic marsh'' in the 2002 delineation to 
freshwater marsh and the addition of two wetland types: Agricultural 
wetlands and forested wetlands. The updated delineation identifies the 
following acreages of potentially jurisdictional waters on the project 
islands: Bacon Island 572.69 acres, Webb Tract 1,583.61 acres, Holland 
Tract 996.28 acres, and Bouldin Island 699.12 acres. The applicant 
proposes to fill approximately 2,156 acres of potentially 
jurisdictional waters on the Reservoir Islands. Impacts would be 
mitigated through implementation of the HMP which would create or 
enhance (net) 1,147 acres of wetlands and other waters of the U.S. on 
the Habitat Islands. In addition, any wetlands not filled by levee 
improvements, intake construction, or mass grading on the Reservoir 
Islands would be converted to seasonally open water habitat 
(lacustrine).
    The Supplemental EIS will include alternatives to the Proposed 
Action that will meet NEPA requirements for a reasonable range of 
alternatives, and will also meet the requirements of the CWA Section 
404(b)(1) Guidelines. The alternatives to be evaluated in the 
Supplemental EIS are anticipated to consist of the following: (1) An 
alternative with different operating criteria for diversion and 
discharge of stored water, (2) the project as proposed in the 404 
permit application (i.e., the Applicant's Preferred Alternative), (3) 
an alternative in which all four islands would be used as reservoirs 
with some compensation habitat provided on Bouldin Island, and (4) the 
No Project Alternative in which the four islands would continue to be 
used for intensive agricultural operations.
    The Corps' public involvement program includes several 
opportunities to provide oral and written comments on the proposed 
Delta Wetlands Project through the NEPA process. Affected federal, 
state, regional, and local agencies, Native American tribes, and other 
interested organizations and parties are invited to participate. 
Potentially significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the 
Supplemental EIS include loss of waters of the United States (including 
wetlands), and impacts related to water supply, water quality, 
utilities and public services, traffic and navigation, fish, vegetation 
and wetlands, wildlife, land use and agriculture, recreation, visual 
resources, air quality, climate change, and socioeconomics.
    The Corps will reinitiate formal consultation with USFWS and NMFS 
under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for impacts to listed 
species that may result from the project. The Corps will also 
reinitiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office 
under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for 
properties listed or potentially eligible for listing on the National 
Register of Historic Places, as appropriate.
    The Supplemental EIS is expected to be made available to the public 
in 2013.


[[Page 13645]]


     Dated: February 13, 2013.
William J. Leady,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2013-04722 Filed 2-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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