Fisheries and Habitat Conservation; Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Ballville Dam Project on the Sandusky River, Sandusky County, Ohio, 4354-4355 [2014-01524]

Download as PDF 4354 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 17 / Monday, January 27, 2014 / Notices goals identified in the CCP. The selected alternative is the basis for the CCP. Future management actions will have a neutral or positive impact on the local economy, and the recommendations in the CCP will ensure that refuge management is consistent with the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A detailed description of objectives and actions included in this selected alternative is found in chapter 4 of each final CCP. Buffalo Lake NWR Under the selected alternative, an expansion of habitat management and restoration activities, combined with expanded public use and infrastructure, will promote short-grass prairies. This alternative is based on increased efforts of wildlife inventories and habitat condition, in an attempt to benefit wildlife by using adaptive management strategies that promote short grass prairies throughout the entire ecoregion. The Service will continue to develop additional visitor service programs, by expanding the environmental education and interpretation programs, as well as by using outreach efforts to meet increasing visitation and interest in Refuge resources. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Ozark Plateau NWR Under the selected alternative, habitat objectives will be accomplished through a combination of management activities to encourage ecological integrity of caves, springs, streams, wetlands, watersheds, forests, and groundwater recharge areas; improve or maintain habitats for native and migratory wildlife; and provide for environmental education and recreational opportunities. This alternative is based on successful pre-existing management strategies and has incorporated ecological principles that apply to Bailey’s Central Interior Broadleaf Forest ecoregion province and the Ozark Highlands ecoregion section. The Service would continue to work with conservation partners and increase collaboration and partnerships at a landscape level on public and private lands, working toward maintaining the integrity of this isolated and threatened ecosystem. Protection Plan (Appendix I in CCP), the Service would acquire and conserve lands of up to 70,000 acres within the Columbia Bottomland Ecosystem. Conserved lands may include bottomland forest, riparian, open water, and coastal prairie habitats within the original Austin’s Woods Conservation Project Area Boundary. The Service will continue to work with conservation partners, working toward maintaining the integrity of this isolated and threatened ecosystem. Wichita Mountains WR Under the selected alternative, habitat objectives will be accomplished through a combination of management activities to encourage ecological integrity, control invasive species, and improve or maintain habitats. Through a revised Habitat Management Plan, the refuge would evaluate increasing the bison herd to a genetically effective population size. The refuge also would continue to implement the Department of the Interior Bison Initiative model. The refuge would evaluate decreasing or moving the longhorn herd to an alternate location for the purpose of increasing the bison herd. The refuge would redesignate the Special Use Area as a Research Natural Area to formalize this area’s management and better protect it in perpetuity. The refuge would improve opportunities for the six priority wildlife-dependent public uses through increases in facilities improvement, information, signage, and facilitation by refuge staff. Both the Treasure Lake Job Corps and Holy City would continue to be managed on the refuge. The refuge would consider partnership opportunities with Job Corps for Refuge projects. Holy City’s use would be monitored to determine if effects to refuge resources are occurring and whether management needs to be adapted. Benjamin Tuggle, Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2014–01471 Filed 1–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P Texas Mid-Coast NWRC Under the selected alternative, habitat objectives will be accomplished through a combination of management activities to encourage ecological integrity, improve or maintain habitats for native and migratory wildlife, and provide for recreational opportunities. In accordance with the 2013 Land VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:16 Jan 24, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–FHC–2013–N266; FXFR13340300000–145–FF03F00000] Fisheries and Habitat Conservation; Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Ballville Dam Project on the Sandusky River, Sandusky County, Ohio Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; announcement of meeting; request for comments. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) that has been prepared to evaluate the Ballville Dam Project, in Sandusky County, Ohio, in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We are also announcing a public meeting and requesting public comments. DATES: The comment period begins with publication of this notice in the Federal Register and will continue through March 28, 2014. The Service will consider all comments regarding the DEIS received or postmarked by this date and respond to them as appropriate. The Service will conduct a public meeting in Fremont, Ohio, on February 19, 2014 from 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to present comments, ask questions, and discuss issues with Service staff and our cooperating agencies regarding the DEIS. ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at Terra State Community College, 2830 Napoleon Road, Fremont, OH 43420. A hard copy of the DEIS and associated documents will be available for review at the Birchard Public Library, 423 Croghan Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420, as well as online at https://www.fws.gov/ midwest/fisheries/ballville-dam.html. You may submit comments by any one of the following methods: • U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Brian Elkington, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fisheries, 5600 American Boulevard West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437–1458. • Email: Ballvilledam@fws.gov. • Fax: (612) 713–5289 (Attention: Brian Elkington). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Elkington, (612) 713–5168. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8337 for TTY assistance. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 17 / Monday, January 27, 2014 / Notices We publish this notice in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). The Service, in conjunction with our cooperating agencies prepared this DEIS for the Ballville Dam Project with the intent to address the environmental, economic, cultural and historical, and safety issues associated with the proposed removal of the dam and a suite of alternatives. Ballville Dam is currently a complete barrier to upstream fish passage and impedes hydrologic processes. The purpose for the issuance of federal funds and preparation of this Draft EIS are to restore natural hydrological processes over a 40-mile stretch of the Sandusky River, re-open fish passage to 22 miles of new habitat, restore flow conditions for fish access to new habitat above the impoundment, and improve overall conditions for native fish communities in the Sandusky River system both upstream and downstream of the Ballville Dam, restoring selfsustaining fish resources. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have interest in this proposal. 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Alternatives in the DEIS mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES The DEIS contains an analysis of four alternatives: (1) Proposed Action— Incremental Dam Removal with Ice Control Structure; (2) No Federal Action; (3) Fish Elevator Structure; and (4) Dam Removal with Ice Control Structure. The DEIS considers the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the alternatives, including any measures under the Proposed Action alternative intended to minimize and mitigate such impacts. The DEIS also identifies additional alternatives that were considered but were eliminated from consideration as detailed in Section 2.3 of the DEIS. Public Comments The Service requests data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, tribes, industry, or any other interested party on this notice. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:16 Jan 24, 2014 Jkt 232001 In particular, information and comments regarding the following topics are requested: 1. The direct, indirect, or cumulative effects that implementation of any alternative could have on the human environment; 2. Whether or not the significance of the impact on various aspects of the human environment has been adequately analyzed; and 3. Any other information pertinent to evaluating the effects of the proposed action on the human environment. You may submit your comments and materials considering this notice by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. Public Availability of Comments All comments and materials we receive in response to this request will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Background Ballville Dam was built in 1913 for hydroelectric power generation. The City of Fremont purchased the dam in 1959 from the Ohio Power Company for the purpose of supplying raw water to the city. With the construction of a raw water reservoir, the dam is no longer required for this purpose. In 2007, the ODNR issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the City, stating that the dam was being operated in violation of the law as a result of its deteriorated condition. Ballville Dam is currently a complete barrier to upstream fish passage and impedes hydrologic processes. An improved river flow regime with open access to substantially more habitat should increase the abundance of virtually all species, and likely species diversity as well, when compared to present conditions both above and below Ballville Dam. Authority This notice is being furnished as provided for by NEPA and its implementing Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22). The intent of the PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4355 notice is to obtain suggestions and additional information from other agencies and the public on the DEIS. Comments and participation in this process are solicited. Todd Turner, Assistant Regional Director, Fisheries, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 2014–01524 Filed 1–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–HQ–MB–2014–N007; 91100–3740– GRNT 7C] Meeting Announcement: North American Wetlands Conservation Council Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of teleconference. AGENCY: The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) will meet via telephone to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). This teleconference is open to the public, and interested persons may present oral or written statements. DATES: Council: The teleconference is scheduled for February 4, 2014, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in presenting information, contact the Council Coordinator no later than January 27, 2014. ADDRESSES: Because this is a conference call, there is no meeting venue. Participants should call the toll-free number 877–951–7596; when prompted, enter participant passcode 9469306. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Perry, Council Coordinator, by phone at 703–358–2432; by email at dbhc@fws.gov; or by U.S. mail at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MBSP 4075, Arlington, VA 22203. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background In accordance with NAWCA (Pub. L. 101–233, 103 Stat. 1968, December 13, 1989, as amended), the State-privateFederal Council meets to consider wetland acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management projects for recommendation to, and final funding approval by, the Commission. Project proposal due dates, application instructions, and eligibility E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4354-4355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01524]


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

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-FHC-2013-N266; FXFR13340300000-145-FF03F00000]


Fisheries and Habitat Conservation; Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Ballville Dam Project on the Sandusky River, Sandusky 
County, Ohio

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; announcement of meeting; request for 
comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) that has 
been prepared to evaluate the Ballville Dam Project, in Sandusky 
County, Ohio, in accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We are also announcing a public 
meeting and requesting public comments.

DATES: The comment period begins with publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register and will continue through March 28, 2014. The Service 
will consider all comments regarding the DEIS received or postmarked by 
this date and respond to them as appropriate. The Service will conduct 
a public meeting in Fremont, Ohio, on February 19, 2014 from 7 to 9 
p.m. The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to present 
comments, ask questions, and discuss issues with Service staff and our 
cooperating agencies regarding the DEIS.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at Terra State Community 
College, 2830 Napoleon Road, Fremont, OH 43420. A hard copy of the DEIS 
and associated documents will be available for review at the Birchard 
Public Library, 423 Croghan Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420, as well as 
online at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/fisheries/ballville-dam.html.
    You may submit comments by any one of the following methods:
     U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Brian Elkington, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Fisheries, 5600 American Boulevard West, Suite 990, 
Bloomington, MN 55437-1458.
     Email: Ballvilledam@fws.gov.
     Fax: (612) 713-5289 (Attention: Brian Elkington).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Elkington, (612) 713-5168. 
Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the 
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8337 for TTY assistance.

[[Page 4355]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We publish this notice in compliance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). 
The Service, in conjunction with our cooperating agencies prepared this 
DEIS for the Ballville Dam Project with the intent to address the 
environmental, economic, cultural and historical, and safety issues 
associated with the proposed removal of the dam and a suite of 
alternatives.
    Ballville Dam is currently a complete barrier to upstream fish 
passage and impedes hydrologic processes. The purpose for the issuance 
of federal funds and preparation of this Draft EIS are to restore 
natural hydrological processes over a 40-mile stretch of the Sandusky 
River, re-open fish passage to 22 miles of new habitat, restore flow 
conditions for fish access to new habitat above the impoundment, and 
improve overall conditions for native fish communities in the Sandusky 
River system both upstream and downstream of the Ballville Dam, 
restoring self-sustaining fish resources.
    Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will 
be sent to appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and to 
private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are 
known to have interest in this proposal. 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.

Alternatives in the DEIS

    The DEIS contains an analysis of four alternatives: (1) Proposed 
Action--Incremental Dam Removal with Ice Control Structure; (2) No 
Federal Action; (3) Fish Elevator Structure; and (4) Dam Removal with 
Ice Control Structure. The DEIS considers the direct, indirect, and 
cumulative effects of the alternatives, including any measures under 
the Proposed Action alternative intended to minimize and mitigate such 
impacts. The DEIS also identifies additional alternatives that were 
considered but were eliminated from consideration as detailed in 
Section 2.3 of the DEIS.

Public Comments

    The Service requests data, comments, new information, or 
suggestions from the public, concerned governmental agencies, the 
scientific community, tribes, industry, or any other interested party 
on this notice.
    In particular, information and comments regarding the following 
topics are requested:
    1. The direct, indirect, or cumulative effects that implementation 
of any alternative could have on the human environment;
    2. Whether or not the significance of the impact on various aspects 
of the human environment has been adequately analyzed; and
    3. Any other information pertinent to evaluating the effects of the 
proposed action on the human environment.
    You may submit your comments and materials considering this notice 
by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section.

Public Availability of Comments

    All comments and materials we receive in response to this request 
will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal 
business hours at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Background

    Ballville Dam was built in 1913 for hydroelectric power generation. 
The City of Fremont purchased the dam in 1959 from the Ohio Power 
Company for the purpose of supplying raw water to the city. With the 
construction of a raw water reservoir, the dam is no longer required 
for this purpose. In 2007, the ODNR issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) 
to the City, stating that the dam was being operated in violation of 
the law as a result of its deteriorated condition.
    Ballville Dam is currently a complete barrier to upstream fish 
passage and impedes hydrologic processes. An improved river flow regime 
with open access to substantially more habitat should increase the 
abundance of virtually all species, and likely species diversity as 
well, when compared to present conditions both above and below 
Ballville Dam.

Authority

    This notice is being furnished as provided for by NEPA and its 
implementing Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22). The intent of the 
notice is to obtain suggestions and additional information from other 
agencies and the public on the DEIS. Comments and participation in this 
process are solicited.

Todd Turner,
Assistant Regional Director, Fisheries, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-01524 Filed 1-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

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