Proposals by Non-Federal Interests, for Feasibility Studies and for Modifications to an Authorized Water Resources Development Project or Feasibility Study, for Inclusion in the Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development, 17540-17541 [2018-08292]
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17540
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
Proposals by Non-Federal Interests,
for Feasibility Studies and for
Modifications to an Authorized Water
Resources Development Project or
Feasibility Study, for Inclusion in the
Annual Report to Congress on Future
Water Resources Development
AGENCY:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
DoD.
ACTION:
Notice.
Section 7001 of Water
Resources Reform and Development Act
(WRRDA) 2014 requires that the
Secretary of the Army annually submit
to the Congress a report (Annual Report)
that identifies feasibility reports,
proposed feasibility studies submitted
by non-Federal interests, and proposed
modifications to an authorized water
resources development project or
feasibility study that meet certain
criteria. The Annual Report is to be
based, in part, upon requests for
proposals submitted by non-Federal
interests.
SUMMARY:
Proposals must be submitted
online by August 20, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Submit proposals online at:
https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/
CivilWorks/ProjectPlanning/
WRRDA7001Proposals.aspx. If a
different method of submission is
required, use the further information
below to arrange an alternative
submission process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Send an email to the help desk at
WRRDA7001Proposal@usace.army.mil
or call Lisa Kiefel, Planning and Policy
Division, Headquarters, USACE,
Washington, DC at 202–761–0626.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
7001 of WRRDA 2014 requires the
publication of a notice in the Federal
Register to request proposals by nonFederal interests for feasibility studies
and modifications to an authorized
USACE water resources development
project or feasibility study. Project
feasibility reports that have successfully
completed Executive Branch review, but
have not been authorized will be
included in the Annual Report table by
the Secretary of the Army and these
proposals do not need to be submitted
in response to this notice.
Proposals by non-Federal interests
must be entered online and require the
following information:
1. The name of all non-Federal
interests planning to act as the sponsor,
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DATES:
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17:44 Apr 19, 2018
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including any non-Federal interest that
has contributed to or is expected to
contribute toward the non-Federal share
of the proposed feasibility study or
modification.
2. State if this proposal is for a
feasibility study or a modification to an
authorized USACE water resources
development project or feasibility study
and, if a modification, specify the
authorized water resources development
project or study that is proposed for
modification.
3. State the specific project purpose(s)
of the proposed study or modification.
4. Provide an estimate, to the extent
practicable, of the total cost, and the
Federal and non-Federal share of those
costs, of the proposed study and,
separately, an estimate of the cost of
construction or modification.
5. Describe, to the extent applicable
and practicable, an estimate of the
anticipated monetary and non-monetary
benefits of the proposal with regard to
benefits to the protection of human life
and property; improvement to
transportation; the national economy;
the environment; or the national
security interests of the United States.
6. Describe if local support exists for
the proposal.
7. State if the non-Federal interest has
the financial ability to provide the
required cost share, reference ER 1105–
2–100.
8. Upload a letter or statement of
support from each associated nonFederal interest.
All provided information may be
included in the Annual Report to
Congress on Future Water Resources
Development. Therefore, information
that is Confidential Business
Information, information that should
not be disclosed because of statutory
restrictions, or other information that a
non-Federal interest would not want to
appear in the Annual Report should not
be included.
Process: Proposals received within the
time frame set forth in this notice will
be reviewed by the Army and will be
presented in one of two tables. The first
table will be in the Annual Report itself,
and the second table will be in an
appendix. To be included in the Annual
Report table, the proposals must meet
the following criteria:
1. Are related to the missions and
authorities of the USACE;
Involves a proposed or existing
USACE water resources project or effort
whose primary purpose is flood and
storm damage reduction, commercial
navigation, or aquatic ecosystem
restoration. Following long-standing
USACE practice, related proposals such
as for recreation, hydropower, or water
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
supply, are eligible for inclusion if
undertaken in conjunction with such a
project or effort.
2. Require specific congressional
authorization, including by an Act of
Congress;
Comprise the following cases:
a. Requires Construction
Authorization.
• Signed Chief’s Reports
• Non-Federal feasibility reports
submitted to the Secretary of the Army
under Section 203 of WRDA 1986, as
amended, under Administration review,
• Ongoing feasibility studies that are
expected to result in a Chief’s Report,
and
• Proposed modifications to
environmental infrastructure projects
that were authorized prior to the date of
enactment of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2016 (December 16,
2016) pursuant to Section 219 of WRDA
1992, as amended; and
• Proposed modifications to
authorized water resources development
projects requested by non-Federal
interests through the Section 7001 of
WRRDA 2014 process.
b. Seeking Study Authorization.
• New feasibility studies proposed by
non-Federal interests through the
Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014 process
will be evaluated by the USACE to
determine whether or not there is
existing study authority, and
• Proposed modifications to studies
requested by non-Federal interests
through the Section 7001 of WRRDA
2014 process will be evaluated by the
USACE to determine whether or not
there is existing study authority.
c. The following cases are NOT
ELIGIBLE to be included in the Annual
Report and will be included in the
appendix for transparency:
• Proposals for modifications to nonFederal projects where USACE has
provided previous technical assistance.
Authorization to provide technical
assistance does not provide
authorization of a water resources
development project.
• Proposals for construction of a new
water resources development project
that is not the subject of a currently
authorized USACE project or a complete
or ongoing feasibility study.
• Proposals that do not include a
request for a potential future water
resources development project through
completed feasibility reports, proposed
feasibility studies, and proposed
modifications to authorized projects or
studies.
3. Have not been congressionally
authorized;
4. Have not been included in the
Annual Report table of any previous
E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM
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sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices
Annual Report to Congress on Future
Water Resources Development; and
• If the proposal was included in the
Annual Report table in a previous
Report to Congress on Future Water
Resources Development, then the
proposal is not eligible to be included
in the Annual Report table. If a proposal
was previously included in an appendix
it may be re-submitted.
5. If authorized, could be carried out
by the USACE.
• Whether following the USACE
Chief’s Report process or Section 7001
of WRRDA 2014, a proposal for a project
or a project modification would need a
current decision document to provide
updated information on the scope of the
potential project and demonstrate a
clear Federal interest. This
determination would include an
assessment of whether the proposal is:
—Technically sound, economically
viable and environmentally
acceptable.
—Compliant with environmental and
other laws including but not limited
to National Environmental Policy Act,
Endangered Species Act, Coastal Zone
Management Act, and the National
Historic Preservation Act.
—Compliant with statutes and
regulations related to water resources
development including various water
resources provisions related to the
authorized cost of projects, level of
detail, separable elements, fish and
wildlife mitigation, project
justification, matters to be addressed
in planning, and the 1958 Water
Supply Act.
Feasibility study proposals submitted
by non-Federal interests are for the
study only. If Congressional
authorization of a feasibility study
results from inclusion in the Annual
Report, it is anticipated that such
authorization would be for the study,
not for construction. Once a decision
document is completed in accordance
with Executive Branch policies and
procedures, the Secretary will
determine whether to recommend the
project for authorization.
All water resources development
projects must meet certain requirements
before proceeding to construction.
These requirements include: (1) That
the project is authorized for
construction by Congress; (2) that the
Secretary, or other appropriate official,
has approved a current decision
document; and, (3) that the funds for
project construction have been
appropriated and are available.
Section 902 of WRDA 1986
establishes a maximum authorized cost
for projects (902 limit). A Post
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Authorization Change Report (PACR) is
required to be completed to support
potential modifications, updates to
project costs, and an increase to the 902
limit. Authority to undertake a 902
study is inherent in the project
authority, so no authority is required to
proceed with the study. Since these
PACRs support project modifications,
they may be considered for inclusion in
the Annual Report if a report’s
recommendation requires Congressional
authorization.
The Secretary shall include in the
Annual Report to Congress on Future
Water Resources Development a
certification stating that each feasibility
report, proposed feasibility study, and
proposed modification to an authorized
water resources development project or
feasibility study included in the Annual
Report meets the criteria established in
Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014.
Please contact the appropriate district
office or use the contact information
above for assistance in researching and
identifying existing authorizations and
existing USACE decision documents.
Those proposals that do not meet the
criteria will be included in an appendix
table included in the Annual Report to
Congress on Future Water Resources
Development. Proposals in the appendix
table will include a description of why
those proposals did not meet the
criteria.
Dated: April 13, 2018.
James C. Dalton,
Director of Civil Works.
[FR Doc. 2018–08292 Filed 4–19–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Dam Safety Modification Study
Report for Center Hill Dam, DeKalb
County, Tennessee
AGENCY:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
DoD.
ACTION:
Notice of Intent.
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Nashville District (USACE)
is preparing a draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) to support the
Dam Safety Modification Study Report
(DSMSR) for Center Hill Dam. The study
would evaluate the main dam spillway
gate operability, the saddle dam fuse
plug operation, and spillway additions
SUMMARY:
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17541
to the new Roller Compacted Concrete
(RCC) berm structure at the saddle dam,
all for the purpose of lowering risk at
Center Hill Dam, DeKalb County,
Tennessee.
DATES: Comments regarding the NOI
must be received by USACE within 30
days of publication of the NOI on or
before May 20, 2018.
ADDRESSES: USACE-Nashville District,
110 9th Avenue South, RM 405A,
Nashville, Tennessee 37203–3817.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Please direct your comments to Joy
Broach, Aquatic Biologist, (615) 736–
7956; email: joy.i.broach@
usace.army.mil. Written comments can
be mailed to the address above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1.
Background Information. Center Hill
Dam was designed in the 1930s,
constructed in the 1940s, and
impounded in the early 1950s. The dam
was built on karst geology using
accepted engineering practices of the
day. Center Hill Dam consists of a 248′
high by 1,400′ long combination earthen
embankment and concrete main dam,
and a 125′ high by 800′ long earthen
embankment auxiliary dam referred to
as the saddle dam. The main dam has
eight 34′ x 57′ spillway gates that rotate
upward to safely pass flow during and
after large rainfall events. To comply
with updated design flood guidance, a
self-eroding fuse plug section was
retrofitted into the top of the saddle dam
in 1992 to serve as an emergency
spillway. The fuse plug operation
almost doubles Center Hill’s total
spillway capacity to keep the main dam
from overtopping during an extreme
flood event. A Dam Safety Modification
Study to reduce the risk of a foundation
seepage dam failure was approved in
late 2006 and consisted of three major
construction contracts beginning in
2008. The first contract injected
concrete grout into the foundation of the
main dam embankment (soil portion of
the dam) and was completed in 2010.
The second contract installed a concrete
barrier wall into the main dam
embankment and was completed in
2015. This concrete barrier wall is the
permanent seepage barrier protection for
the main dam embankment. The third
major contract for construction of a
Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) berm
below the saddle dam began in
September 2016 and is on-going. The
purpose of the RCC berm is to reduce
the risk of saddle dam failure caused by
under-seepage or overtopping during an
extreme flood event. A Post
Implementation Evaluation (PIE) was
completed in 2017 to assess the
effectiveness of the above construction
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17540-17541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08292]
[[Page 17540]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Proposals by Non-Federal Interests, for Feasibility Studies and
for Modifications to an Authorized Water Resources Development Project
or Feasibility Study, for Inclusion in the Annual Report to Congress on
Future Water Resources Development
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Section 7001 of Water Resources Reform and Development Act
(WRRDA) 2014 requires that the Secretary of the Army annually submit to
the Congress a report (Annual Report) that identifies feasibility
reports, proposed feasibility studies submitted by non-Federal
interests, and proposed modifications to an authorized water resources
development project or feasibility study that meet certain criteria.
The Annual Report is to be based, in part, upon requests for proposals
submitted by non-Federal interests.
DATES: Proposals must be submitted online by August 20, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Submit proposals online at: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/ProjectPlanning/WRRDA7001Proposals.aspx. If a
different method of submission is required, use the further information
below to arrange an alternative submission process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Send an email to the help desk at
[email protected] or call Lisa Kiefel, Planning and
Policy Division, Headquarters, USACE, Washington, DC at 202-761-0626.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014 requires the
publication of a notice in the Federal Register to request proposals by
non-Federal interests for feasibility studies and modifications to an
authorized USACE water resources development project or feasibility
study. Project feasibility reports that have successfully completed
Executive Branch review, but have not been authorized will be included
in the Annual Report table by the Secretary of the Army and these
proposals do not need to be submitted in response to this notice.
Proposals by non-Federal interests must be entered online and
require the following information:
1. The name of all non-Federal interests planning to act as the
sponsor, including any non-Federal interest that has contributed to or
is expected to contribute toward the non-Federal share of the proposed
feasibility study or modification.
2. State if this proposal is for a feasibility study or a
modification to an authorized USACE water resources development project
or feasibility study and, if a modification, specify the authorized
water resources development project or study that is proposed for
modification.
3. State the specific project purpose(s) of the proposed study or
modification.
4. Provide an estimate, to the extent practicable, of the total
cost, and the Federal and non-Federal share of those costs, of the
proposed study and, separately, an estimate of the cost of construction
or modification.
5. Describe, to the extent applicable and practicable, an estimate
of the anticipated monetary and non-monetary benefits of the proposal
with regard to benefits to the protection of human life and property;
improvement to transportation; the national economy; the environment;
or the national security interests of the United States.
6. Describe if local support exists for the proposal.
7. State if the non-Federal interest has the financial ability to
provide the required cost share, reference ER 1105-2-100.
8. Upload a letter or statement of support from each associated
non-Federal interest.
All provided information may be included in the Annual Report to
Congress on Future Water Resources Development. Therefore, information
that is Confidential Business Information, information that should not
be disclosed because of statutory restrictions, or other information
that a non-Federal interest would not want to appear in the Annual
Report should not be included.
Process: Proposals received within the time frame set forth in this
notice will be reviewed by the Army and will be presented in one of two
tables. The first table will be in the Annual Report itself, and the
second table will be in an appendix. To be included in the Annual
Report table, the proposals must meet the following criteria:
1. Are related to the missions and authorities of the USACE;
Involves a proposed or existing USACE water resources project or
effort whose primary purpose is flood and storm damage reduction,
commercial navigation, or aquatic ecosystem restoration. Following
long-standing USACE practice, related proposals such as for recreation,
hydropower, or water supply, are eligible for inclusion if undertaken
in conjunction with such a project or effort.
2. Require specific congressional authorization, including by an
Act of Congress;
Comprise the following cases:
a. Requires Construction Authorization.
Signed Chief's Reports
Non-Federal feasibility reports submitted to the Secretary
of the Army under Section 203 of WRDA 1986, as amended, under
Administration review,
Ongoing feasibility studies that are expected to result in
a Chief's Report, and
Proposed modifications to environmental infrastructure
projects that were authorized prior to the date of enactment of the
Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (December 16, 2016) pursuant to
Section 219 of WRDA 1992, as amended; and
Proposed modifications to authorized water resources
development projects requested by non-Federal interests through the
Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014 process.
b. Seeking Study Authorization.
New feasibility studies proposed by non-Federal interests
through the Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014 process will be evaluated by the
USACE to determine whether or not there is existing study authority,
and
Proposed modifications to studies requested by non-Federal
interests through the Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014 process will be
evaluated by the USACE to determine whether or not there is existing
study authority.
c. The following cases are NOT ELIGIBLE to be included in the
Annual Report and will be included in the appendix for transparency:
Proposals for modifications to non-Federal projects where
USACE has provided previous technical assistance. Authorization to
provide technical assistance does not provide authorization of a water
resources development project.
Proposals for construction of a new water resources
development project that is not the subject of a currently authorized
USACE project or a complete or ongoing feasibility study.
Proposals that do not include a request for a potential
future water resources development project through completed
feasibility reports, proposed feasibility studies, and proposed
modifications to authorized projects or studies.
3. Have not been congressionally authorized;
4. Have not been included in the Annual Report table of any
previous
[[Page 17541]]
Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development; and
If the proposal was included in the Annual Report table in
a previous Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development,
then the proposal is not eligible to be included in the Annual Report
table. If a proposal was previously included in an appendix it may be
re-submitted.
5. If authorized, could be carried out by the USACE.
Whether following the USACE Chief's Report process or
Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014, a proposal for a project or a project
modification would need a current decision document to provide updated
information on the scope of the potential project and demonstrate a
clear Federal interest. This determination would include an assessment
of whether the proposal is:
--Technically sound, economically viable and environmentally
acceptable.
--Compliant with environmental and other laws including but not limited
to National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Coastal
Zone Management Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
--Compliant with statutes and regulations related to water resources
development including various water resources provisions related to the
authorized cost of projects, level of detail, separable elements, fish
and wildlife mitigation, project justification, matters to be addressed
in planning, and the 1958 Water Supply Act.
Feasibility study proposals submitted by non-Federal interests are
for the study only. If Congressional authorization of a feasibility
study results from inclusion in the Annual Report, it is anticipated
that such authorization would be for the study, not for construction.
Once a decision document is completed in accordance with Executive
Branch policies and procedures, the Secretary will determine whether to
recommend the project for authorization.
All water resources development projects must meet certain
requirements before proceeding to construction. These requirements
include: (1) That the project is authorized for construction by
Congress; (2) that the Secretary, or other appropriate official, has
approved a current decision document; and, (3) that the funds for
project construction have been appropriated and are available.
Section 902 of WRDA 1986 establishes a maximum authorized cost for
projects (902 limit). A Post Authorization Change Report (PACR) is
required to be completed to support potential modifications, updates to
project costs, and an increase to the 902 limit. Authority to undertake
a 902 study is inherent in the project authority, so no authority is
required to proceed with the study. Since these PACRs support project
modifications, they may be considered for inclusion in the Annual
Report if a report's recommendation requires Congressional
authorization.
The Secretary shall include in the Annual Report to Congress on
Future Water Resources Development a certification stating that each
feasibility report, proposed feasibility study, and proposed
modification to an authorized water resources development project or
feasibility study included in the Annual Report meets the criteria
established in Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014.
Please contact the appropriate district office or use the contact
information above for assistance in researching and identifying
existing authorizations and existing USACE decision documents. Those
proposals that do not meet the criteria will be included in an appendix
table included in the Annual Report to Congress on Future Water
Resources Development. Proposals in the appendix table will include a
description of why those proposals did not meet the criteria.
Dated: April 13, 2018.
James C. Dalton,
Director of Civil Works.
[FR Doc. 2018-08292 Filed 4-19-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
