Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environment Impact Statement and Conduct a Public Scoping Meeting for the Proposed Thousand Palms Flood Control Project within the Thousand Palms Area of Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California (Corps file no. SPL-2014-00238-RJV), 25122-25123 [2014-10098]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 25122 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 85 / Friday, May 2, 2014 / Notices fleet, currently serve no active function, and are a safety hazard due to their compromised structural integrity. This alternative meets the Army’s following objectives: (1) Eliminate fire and safety issues associated with Hangars 2 and 3; (2) eliminate non-mission essential funding expenditures; (3) make available the valuable airfield space the hangars occupy to support the military mission because the hangars no longer meet the functional requirements of maintenance facilities for modern aircraft and are unable to support the aviation mission; (4) meet the special requirements for NHLs under Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations (to the maximum extent possible, undertake such necessary planning and actions that minimize harm to NHLs); and (5) avoid, minimize, or otherwise mitigate any adverse effects on historic resources through Section 106 consultation under the NHPA. ADDRESSES: Questions and requests for copies of either the ROD, Draft, or Final EIS should be forwarded to: Mr. Matthew Sprau, Directorate of Public Works, Attention: IMFW–PWE (Sprau), 1060 Gaffney Road #4500, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703–4500 or send email requests to: matthew.h.sprau.civ@mail.mil. Documents are also available for the public at https:// www.wainwright.army.mil/env/ Current.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Constance Storch, Public Affairs Office, IMFW–PAO (Storch), 1060 Gaffney Road #5900, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703–5900; telephone (907) 353– 67801, email: constance.y.storch.civ@mail.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ROD incorporates analyses contained in the Final EIS for the Disposition of Hangars 2 and 3, including comments provided during the formal comment and review periods. The ROD discusses the alternatives and provides a discussion of environmental impacts and mitigation commitments the Army will implement as part of this decision. The purpose of the Proposed Action was to determine a disposition for Hangars 2 and 3 that will resolve safety and fiscal concerns, as well as address the underutilization of the real property space they occupy. Determination of their disposition was needed to resolve their inability to meet the functional requirements as maintenance facilities for modern aircraft, their current condemned status that prevents them from serving an active military function VerDate Mar<15>2010 00:23 May 02, 2014 Jkt 232001 at Fort Wainwright, and the safety hazard they present. The Army considered a wide range of potential alternatives for the disposition of Hangars 2 and 3. The United States Army Garrison Fort Wainwright (USAG FWA) used a screening process to evaluate five action alternatives ranging from various reuses to demolition, eventually narrowing the list to those considered reasonable. The Final EIS evaluated the only reasonable action alternative (Alternative 1) and the No Action Alternative (Alternative 2). Under Alternative 1 (selected alternative), demolition will involve removal of the hangars and their supporting infrastructure, including demolition of existing and abandoned utilities not belonging to Doyon Utilities (the current utility provider for the installation); demolition of existing privately owned vehicle parking areas, lighting, head bolt outlets, and power source; demolition of the small, open, flammable liquids storage facility that is located between Hangars 2 and 3; and removal of concrete building slabs and foundations. Once demolition of the hangars is complete, concrete will be added to the building and infrastructure footprints to maintain consistency with the adjacent airfield, which is designated as an aircraft parking apron. Implementation of this decision is expected to result in direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts to the Fort Wainwright installation. Significant impacts are expected to occur as a result of adverse impacts to historic resources. All other impacts are expected to be not significant. The USAG FWA entered into a Memorandum of Agreement pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulations 800.6(2) with the Alaska Historic Preservation Office and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to mitigate adverse effects. Mitigation measures include public outreach in the pursuit of more visibility and appreciation for the Ladd Field NHL, re-evaluation of the NHL, and continued stewardship of Fort Wainwright’s historical resources. The selected alternative allows the Army to meet mission requirements while eliminating the potential safety hazard presented by Hangars 2 and 3. This decision provides the proper balance of technical and economic feasibility, environmental and social issues, and the ability to meet Army mission objectives. A summary of environmental impacts and rationale for the decision can be found in the ROD, which is available along with the Final EIS for public review at https:// PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 www.wainwright.army.mil/env/ Current.html. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–10019 Filed 5–1–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environment Impact Statement and Conduct a Public Scoping Meeting for the Proposed Thousand Palms Flood Control Project within the Thousand Palms Area of Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California (Corps file no. SPL–2014–00238–RJV) Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Intent. AGENCY: The purpose of this notice is to initiate a 45-day scoping process for preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Coachella Valley Water District’s (CVWD) proposed Thousand Palms Flood Control Project. DATES: Submit comments concerning this notice on or before June 23, 2014. A public scoping meeting will be held on May 6, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. (PST). ADDRESSES: The scoping meeting location is: Thousand Palms Community Center, 31–189 Roberts Road, Thousand Palms, CA 92276. Mail written comments concerning this notice to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division, Carlsbad Field Office, ATTN: SPL–2014–00238–RJV, 5900 La Place Court, Suite 100, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Comment letters should include the commenter’s physical mailing address, the project title and the Corps file number in the subject line. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard J. Van Sant III, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division, Carlsbad Field Office, ATTN: SPL–2014–00238–RJV, 5900 La Place Court, Suite 100, Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 602–4837, richard.j.vansant@usace.army.mil. SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Corps is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prior to any permit action. The Corps may ultimately make a determination to permit or deny the proposed project or a modified SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\02MYN1.SGM 02MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 85 / Friday, May 2, 2014 / Notices version of the proposed project. The primary Federal concerns are the discharge of fill material into waters of the United States. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1344. 1. Project Description. CVWD is proposing to construct a flood control project that is linear in nature, consists of four reaches, and is generally located on the northern and eastern margins of the community of Thousand Palms. Components of the project include levees, channels, and energy dissipating structures. The levees and channels would be comprised of soil cement, and the upslope sides of each levee would be armored with soil cement. Reach 1 is comprised of a 2.4 mile long levee (with a height of approximately 11.5 feet on the upstream end and approximately 14 feet on the downstream end), an energy dissipater at the south-eastern terminus, and an access road at Via Las Palmas. Reach 2 is comprised of a 0.33 mile long levee (with a height of approximately 14 feet) and would be positioned in the mid-alluvial fan area just northeast of an existing electrical substation, to protect the substation and adjacent development. Reach 3 is comprised of a 1.23 mile long levee, an access road, and a 1.01 mile channel. The levee would have a height of approximately 14 feet at the upstream end, increasing to approximately 18 feet at the downstream end and would initiate approximately 2,000 feet southwest of the downstream end of Reach 2, roughly 1,000 feet south of Ramon Road. The channel would divert flows through the existing Classic Club Golf Course. Reach 4 is comprised of an approximately twomile long channel that would divert stormwater flows from the southeast end of the Classic Club Golf Course and continue south then east, adjacent to the re-aligned Avenue 38, and would terminate at Washington Street in the community of Macomber Palms. 2. Issues. Potentially significant impacts associated with the proposed project may include: Aesthetics/visual impacts, air quality emissions, biological resource impacts, noise, traffic and transportation, and cumulative impacts from past, present and reasonably foreseeable future projects. 3. Alternatives. The Draft EIS will include a co-equal analysis of several alternatives. Project alternatives will be further developed during this scoping process. Additional alternatives that may be developed during scoping will also be considered in the Draft EIS. 4. Scoping. The Corps and CVWD will jointly conduct a public scoping meeting to receive public comment VerDate Mar<15>2010 00:23 May 02, 2014 Jkt 232001 regarding the appropriate scope and preparation of the Draft EIS. Participation by Federal, state, and local agencies and other interested organizations and persons is encouraged. 5. The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public review and comment 6 to 12 months after the scoping meeting, and a public meeting may be held after its publication. Dated: April 17, 2014. Therese O. Bradford, Chief, South Coast Branch. [FR Doc. 2014–10098 Filed 5–1–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD Sunshine Act Notice Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. ACTION: Notice of public meeting and hearing. AGENCY: Pursuant to the provisions of the ‘‘Government in the Sunshine Act’’ (5 U.S.C. 552b), and as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 2286b, notice is hereby given of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s (Board) public meeting and hearing described below. The Board invites any interested persons or groups to present any comments, technical information, or data concerning safety issues related to the matters to be considered. TIME AND DATE OF MEETING: 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m., May 28, 2014. PLACE: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana Avenue NW., Suite 352, Washington, DC 20004–2901. STATUS: Open. While the Government in the Sunshine Act does not require that the scheduled discussion be conducted in an open meeting, the Board has determined that an open meeting in this specific case furthers the public interests underlying both the Government in the Sunshine Act and the Board’s enabling legislation. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: This public meeting and hearing is the first of two hearings the Board will convene to address safety culture at Department of Energy defense nuclear facilities and the Board’s Recommendation 2011–1, Safety Culture at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. The second hearing will be announced by a separate notice at a future date. In this first hearing, the Board will receive testimony from a recognized industry expert in the field of safety culture, with a focus on the tools used for assessing SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 25123 safety culture, the approaches for interpreting the assessment results, and how the results can be used for improving safety culture. The Board will next hear testimony from safety culture representatives from the federal government, including senior staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NRC staff will discuss the NRC’s approach to identifying safety culture concerns at licensee facilities and how the NRC expects those concerns to be evaluated and corrected. The hearing will conclude with a discussion from NASA staff concerning NASA’s Policy for Safety and Mission Success, tools the agency uses to improve safety culture, and NASA’s experience in improving and sustaining a robust safety culture. Contact Person For More Information: Mark Welch, General Manager, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana Avenue NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004–2901, (800) 788– 4016. This is a toll-free number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public participation in the hearing is invited. The Board is setting aside time at the end of the hearing for presentations and comments from the public. Requests to speak may be submitted in writing or by telephone. The Board asks that commenters describe the nature and scope of their oral presentations. Those who contact the Board prior to close of business on May 23, 2014, will be scheduled to speak at the conclusion of the hearing, at approximately 12:00 p.m. At the beginning of the hearing, the Board will post a schedule for speakers at the entrance to the hearing room. Commenters may also sign up to speak the day of the hearing at the entrance to the hearing room. Anyone who wishes to comment or provide technical information or data may do so in writing, either in lieu of, or in addition to, making an oral presentation. The Board Members may question presenters to the extent deemed appropriate. Documents will be accepted at the hearing or may be sent to the Board’s Washington, DC office. The Board will hold the record open until June 28, 2014, for the receipt of additional materials. The hearing will be presented live through Internet video streaming. A link to the presentation will be available on the Board’s Web site (www.dnfsb.gov). A transcript of the hearing, along with a DVD video recording, will be made available by the Board for inspection and viewing by the public at the Board’s Washington office and at DOE’s public reading room at the DOE Federal Building, 1000 E:\FR\FM\02MYN1.SGM 02MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25122-25123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10098]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environment Impact Statement 
and Conduct a Public Scoping Meeting for the Proposed Thousand Palms 
Flood Control Project within the Thousand Palms Area of Coachella 
Valley, Riverside County, California (Corps file no. SPL-2014-00238-
RJV)

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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

SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to initiate a 45-day scoping 
process for preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) for the Coachella Valley Water District's (CVWD) proposed 
Thousand Palms Flood Control Project.

DATES: Submit comments concerning this notice on or before June 23, 
2014. A public scoping meeting will be held on May 6, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. 
(PST).

ADDRESSES: The scoping meeting location is: Thousand Palms Community 
Center, 31-189 Roberts Road, Thousand Palms, CA 92276.
    Mail written comments concerning this notice to: U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division, Carlsbad Field 
Office, ATTN: SPL-2014-00238-RJV, 5900 La Place Court, Suite 100, 
Carlsbad, CA 92008. Comment letters should include the commenter's 
physical mailing address, the project title and the Corps file number 
in the subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard J. Van Sant III, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division, Carlsbad 
Field Office, ATTN: SPL-2014-00238-RJV, 5900 La Place Court, Suite 100, 
Carlsbad, CA 92008, (760) 602-4837, richard.j.vansant@usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Corps is preparing an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prior to any permit action. The 
Corps may ultimately make a determination to permit or deny the 
proposed project or a modified

[[Page 25123]]

version of the proposed project. The primary Federal concerns are the 
discharge of fill material into waters of the United States.

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1344.
    1. Project Description. CVWD is proposing to construct a flood 
control project that is linear in nature, consists of four reaches, and 
is generally located on the northern and eastern margins of the 
community of Thousand Palms. Components of the project include levees, 
channels, and energy dissipating structures. The levees and channels 
would be comprised of soil cement, and the upslope sides of each levee 
would be armored with soil cement. Reach 1 is comprised of a 2.4 mile 
long levee (with a height of approximately 11.5 feet on the upstream 
end and approximately 14 feet on the downstream end), an energy 
dissipater at the south-eastern terminus, and an access road at Via Las 
Palmas. Reach 2 is comprised of a 0.33 mile long levee (with a height 
of approximately 14 feet) and would be positioned in the mid-alluvial 
fan area just northeast of an existing electrical substation, to 
protect the substation and adjacent development. Reach 3 is comprised 
of a 1.23 mile long levee, an access road, and a 1.01 mile channel. The 
levee would have a height of approximately 14 feet at the upstream end, 
increasing to approximately 18 feet at the downstream end and would 
initiate approximately 2,000 feet southwest of the downstream end of 
Reach 2, roughly 1,000 feet south of Ramon Road. The channel would 
divert flows through the existing Classic Club Golf Course. Reach 4 is 
comprised of an approximately two-mile long channel that would divert 
stormwater flows from the southeast end of the Classic Club Golf Course 
and continue south then east, adjacent to the re-aligned Avenue 38, and 
would terminate at Washington Street in the community of Macomber 
Palms.
    2. Issues. Potentially significant impacts associated with the 
proposed project may include: Aesthetics/visual impacts, air quality 
emissions, biological resource impacts, noise, traffic and 
transportation, and cumulative impacts from past, present and 
reasonably foreseeable future projects.
    3. Alternatives. The Draft EIS will include a co-equal analysis of 
several alternatives. Project alternatives will be further developed 
during this scoping process. Additional alternatives that may be 
developed during scoping will also be considered in the Draft EIS.
    4. Scoping. The Corps and CVWD will jointly conduct a public 
scoping meeting to receive public comment regarding the appropriate 
scope and preparation of the Draft EIS. Participation by Federal, 
state, and local agencies and other interested organizations and 
persons is encouraged.
    5. The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public review and 
comment 6 to 12 months after the scoping meeting, and a public meeting 
may be held after its publication.

    Dated: April 17, 2014.
Therese O. Bradford,
Chief, South Coast Branch.
[FR Doc. 2014-10098 Filed 5-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.