Notice of Intent/NEPA Scoping Meeting and Public Comment Period for the Grand River Habitat Restoration and Invasive Species Control Project, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 9509-9510 [2019-04864]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 51 / Friday, March 15, 2019 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
Notice of Intent/NEPA Scoping Meeting
and Public Comment Period for the
Grand River Habitat Restoration and
Invasive Species Control Project,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the requirements
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by
the Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) Detroit District,
announces its intent to conduct public
scoping and solicit public comments to
gather information to prepare a draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
on behalf of the Great Lakes Fishery
Commission (GLFC) related to the
proposed Grand River Habitat
Restoration and Invasive Species
Control Project in Grand Rapids,
Michigan. The project must provide a
means to block sea lamprey from
moving upstream, as this invasive
species is currently blocked by the
existing 6th Street Dam in the Grand
River, must maintain or reduce the
current risk of flooding upstream, and
must provide for fish passage into
upstream areas. If implemented, the
project is expected to adversely impact
existing healthy mussel population,
which includes the federally-listed
endangered scaleshell and snuffbox
mussels as well as a number of statelisted mussel species.
DATES: Comments for consideration in
the development of the scope of the
NEPA draft EIS are due no later than
May 15, 2019. Comments may also be
made at the public scoping meeting as
noted below. All comments and
materials received, including names and
addresses, will become part of the
administrative record and may be
released to the public.
ADDRESSES: The public is invited to
submit written comments at the meeting
and/or to Mr. Charles A. Uhlarik,
Department of the Army, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Detroit District,
Environmental Analysis Branch, 477
Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 or
via email to: Comments-Grand-River@
usace.army.mil.
amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
Mr.
Charles A. Uhlarik, 313–226–2476.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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16:53 Mar 14, 2019
Jkt 247001
the GLFC are tasked with protecting
federally endangered species and
managing invasive sea lamprey
populations in the Great Lakes,
respectively. These agencies approached
the USACE, Detroit District to assist
with the evaluation of the proposed
project due to the potential for
constructing a new sea lamprey control
structure on the Grand River and
potential for modifications of the
existing barrier to sea lamprey at 6th
Street Dam. Therefore, the USACE,
Detroit District is preparing this draft
EIS on behalf of the GLFC, and is a
cooperating agency in the NEPA process
based on the Detroit District’s expertise
in flood risk management and in sea
lamprey barrier design. The USFWS is
also a cooperating agency because of the
anticipated impacts to federally-listed
endangered mussels. While USACE,
Detroit District will be conducting the
public scoping associated with the draft
EIS and the preparation of the draft and
final EIS, the GLFC will ultimately be
responsible for signing a Record of
Decision at the end of this process as the
lead agency for this effort.
Proposed Project: A draft EIS is being
proposed for a multipurpose restoration
project in the Grand River, in downtown
Grand Rapids, Michigan. The intent of
the project is to restore, enhance, and
maintain the rapids in the Grand River
from upstream of Ann Street to Fulton
Street, and may include habitat,
recreation and invasive species control
features.
Proposed Project Purpose and Need:
The ecosystem processes and
recreational functions of the Grand
River have been degraded by
channelization, dredging, and urban
development in the reach that flows
through the city of Grand Rapids. A
series of five low-head dams and more
than a mile of floodwalls on both sides
of the river have constrained the
physical, chemical, and biological
processes of the river ecosystem within
this highly urbanized reach of the river.
Only one percent of riparian areas in the
lower peninsula of Michigan is
comprised of rapids-type habitat, which
is critical to the lifecycle of many
aquatic species. Furthermore, the rapids
have a significant economic benefit
associated with outdoor recreation.
Alternatives: There is a vested interest
by local stakeholders in restoring the
rapids habitat in this stretch of the
Grand River in downtown Grand
Rapids. A healthy mussel population,
that includes the federally-listed
endangered scaleshell and snuffbox
mussels as well as a number of statelisted mussel species, is expected to be
adversely impacted by this project,
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
9509
based on mussel surveys conducted in
2016 and informal consultation with the
USFWS. Project alternatives must take
into account the impacted mussels as
well as providing a means to block sea
lamprey from moving upstream, as this
invasive species is currently blocked by
the existing 6th Street Dam in the Grand
River, must maintain or reduce the
current risk of flooding upstream, and
must provide for fish passage into
upstream areas. An outcome of the
NEPA public scoping process is the
formulation/development of a range of
project alternatives based on public
input and agency expertise so that the
project can be developed in a manner
that is consistent with sound
engineering practice and meets all
applicable environmental laws and
regulations. The draft EIS will consider
the direct, indirect, and cumulative
impacts of alternatives on affected
resources that are identified during the
scoping process, including, but are not
limited to: Water quality, stream flows,
air quality, fish and wildlife (including
federally-listed endangered species and
their designated critical habitat),
floodplains, wetlands, climate, cultural
resources, and social and economic
resources such as noise, aesthetics,
environmental justice.
Scoping Process/Public Involvement:
The USACE, Detroit District is issuing
this notice, on behalf of the GLFC to: (1)
Inform other Federal and state agencies,
tribes, and the public of their plan to
analyze effects related to
implementation of the Grand River
Habitat Restoration and Invasive
Species Control Project in Grand
Rapids, Michigan; (2) obtain suggestions
and information that may inform the
scope of issues and range of alternatives
to evaluate in the draft EIS; (3) request
input on potential effects to federallylisted endangered species and their
critical habitat in accordance with the
Endangered Species Act; and (4)
provide notice and request input on
potential effects on historic properties
in accordance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act
(NHPA).
The scoping process will help identify
reasonable prudent alternatives,
facilitate the evaluation of potential
effects to the human and natural
environments and key issues of concern
to be analyzed in the draft EIS. The
USACE, Detroit District, on behalf of the
GLFC, intends to comply with the
requirements of the Endangered Species
Act by undergoing formal Section 7
Consultation with the USFWS.
Additionally, the USACE, Detroit
District, on behalf of the GLFC, intends
to comply with the requirements of
E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM
15MRN1
9510
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 51 / Friday, March 15, 2019 / Notices
Section 106 of the NHPA in parallel
with the NEPA process. The USACE,
Detroit District invites federal, state, and
local agencies, federally-recognized
Native American Tribes, the State
Historic Preservation Office, other
interested parties, and the general
public to participate in the NEPA
scoping process for the preparation of
this draft EIS by attending meetings
and/or submitting written comments.
The NEPA Public Scoping open house
style meeting will be held at the DeVos
Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe
Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
on Monday, April 8, 2019 from 3:30
p.m. until 7:30 p.m. to provide
information to the public, serve as a
mechanism to solicit agency and public
input to develop alternatives and issues
of concern, and ensure full and open
participation in scoping of the draft EIS.
A short, informal presentation will be
held at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to
provide more detail on the project.
Written comments will also be
requested. Additional information
related to the public scoping process
will be provided through news releases
to the media, advertisements placed in
regional/local newspapers of general
circulation, Public Notice, and/or on the
project website at: https://www.lre.
usace.army.mil/Missions/
Environmental-Services/.
Upon completion of the scoping
process, the draft EIS will be developed
and circulated for public review and
comment. The USACE Detroit District
expects to release the draft EIS for
public review and comment in late
2019. The USACE Detroit District will
issue a Notice of Availability in the
Federal Register announcing the release
of the draft EIS for public comment
through news releases to the media,
advertisements placed in regional/local
newspapers of general circulation,
Public Notice, and/or on the project
website listed above.
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with NOTICES
DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES
SAFETY BOARD
Sunshine Act Meetings
2 p.m.–4 p.m., March 19,
2019.
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety
Board, 625 Indiana Avenue NW, Suite
700, Washington, DC 20004.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:53 Mar 14, 2019
Jkt 247001
[FR Doc. 2019–04942 Filed 3–13–19; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3670–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
TRS Fuel Cell, LLC; Supplemental
Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate
Filing Includes Request for Blanket
Section 204 Authorization
[FR Doc. 2019–04864 Filed 3–14–19; 8:45 am]
PLACE:
Dated: March 12, 2019.
Bruce Hamilton,
Chairman.
[Docket No. ER19–1230–000]
Charles A. Uhlarik,
Chief, Environmental Analysis Branch,
USACE, Detroit District.
TIME AND DATE:
Closed. During the closed
meeting, the Board Members will
discuss issues dealing with potential
Recommendations to the Secretary of
Energy. The Board is invoking the
exemptions to close a meeting described
in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(3) and (9)(B) and 10
CFR 1704.4(c) and (h). The Board has
determined that it is necessary to close
the meeting since conducting an open
meeting is likely to disclose matters that
are specifically exempted from
disclosure by statute, and/or be likely to
significantly frustrate implementation of
a proposed agency action. In this case,
the deliberations will pertain to
potential Board Recommendations
which, under 42 U.S.C. 2286d(b) and
(h)(3), may not be made publicly
available until after they have been
received by the Secretary of Energy or
the President, respectively.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The meeting
will proceed in accordance with the
closed meeting agenda which is posted
on the Board’s public website at
www.dnfsb.gov. Technical staff may
present information to the Board. The
Board Members are expected to conduct
deliberations regarding potential
Recommendations to the Secretary of
Energy.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Glenn Sklar, 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.
STATUS:
This is a supplemental notice in the
above-referenced proceeding of TRS
Fuel Cell, LLC’s application for marketbased rate authority, with an
accompanying rate tariff, noting that
such application includes a request for
blanket authorization, under 18 CFR
part 34, of future issuances of securities
and assumptions of liability.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest should file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4703
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First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426,
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
intervene or protest must serve a copy
of that document on the Applicant.
Notice is hereby given that the
deadline for filing protests with regard
to the applicant’s request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability, is April 1,
2019.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
service, persons with internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
Persons unable to file electronically
should submit an original and 5 copies
of the intervention or protest to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street NE, Washington, DC
20426.
The filings in the above-referenced
proceeding are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system by
clicking on the appropriate link in the
above list. They are also available for
electronic review in the Commission’s
Public Reference Room in Washington,
DC. There is an eSubscription link on
the website that enables subscribers to
receive email notification when a
document is added to a subscribed
docket(s). For assistance with any FERC
Online service, please email
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. or call
(866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202) 502–8659.
Dated: March 11, 2019.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019–04846 Filed 3–14–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Combined Notice of Filings #1
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric corporate
filings:
Docket Numbers: EC19–66–000.
Applicants: Ashtabula Wind II, LLC,
Garden Wind, LLC, Marshall Solar, LLC,
E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM
15MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 51 (Friday, March 15, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9509-9510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04864]
[[Page 9509]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Notice of Intent/NEPA Scoping Meeting and Public Comment Period
for the Grand River Habitat Restoration and Invasive Species Control
Project, Grand Rapids, Michigan
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) Detroit District, announces its intent to conduct public
scoping and solicit public comments to gather information to prepare a
draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on behalf of the Great Lakes
Fishery Commission (GLFC) related to the proposed Grand River Habitat
Restoration and Invasive Species Control Project in Grand Rapids,
Michigan. The project must provide a means to block sea lamprey from
moving upstream, as this invasive species is currently blocked by the
existing 6th Street Dam in the Grand River, must maintain or reduce the
current risk of flooding upstream, and must provide for fish passage
into upstream areas. If implemented, the project is expected to
adversely impact existing healthy mussel population, which includes the
federally-listed endangered scaleshell and snuffbox mussels as well as
a number of state-listed mussel species.
DATES: Comments for consideration in the development of the scope of
the NEPA draft EIS are due no later than May 15, 2019. Comments may
also be made at the public scoping meeting as noted below. All comments
and materials received, including names and addresses, will become part
of the administrative record and may be released to the public.
ADDRESSES: The public is invited to submit written comments at the
meeting and/or to Mr. Charles A. Uhlarik, Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Environmental Analysis
Branch, 477 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 or via email to:
Comments-Grand-River@usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Charles A. Uhlarik, 313-226-2476.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
and the GLFC are tasked with protecting federally endangered species
and managing invasive sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes,
respectively. These agencies approached the USACE, Detroit District to
assist with the evaluation of the proposed project due to the potential
for constructing a new sea lamprey control structure on the Grand River
and potential for modifications of the existing barrier to sea lamprey
at 6th Street Dam. Therefore, the USACE, Detroit District is preparing
this draft EIS on behalf of the GLFC, and is a cooperating agency in
the NEPA process based on the Detroit District's expertise in flood
risk management and in sea lamprey barrier design. The USFWS is also a
cooperating agency because of the anticipated impacts to federally-
listed endangered mussels. While USACE, Detroit District will be
conducting the public scoping associated with the draft EIS and the
preparation of the draft and final EIS, the GLFC will ultimately be
responsible for signing a Record of Decision at the end of this process
as the lead agency for this effort.
Proposed Project: A draft EIS is being proposed for a multipurpose
restoration project in the Grand River, in downtown Grand Rapids,
Michigan. The intent of the project is to restore, enhance, and
maintain the rapids in the Grand River from upstream of Ann Street to
Fulton Street, and may include habitat, recreation and invasive species
control features.
Proposed Project Purpose and Need: The ecosystem processes and
recreational functions of the Grand River have been degraded by
channelization, dredging, and urban development in the reach that flows
through the city of Grand Rapids. A series of five low-head dams and
more than a mile of floodwalls on both sides of the river have
constrained the physical, chemical, and biological processes of the
river ecosystem within this highly urbanized reach of the river. Only
one percent of riparian areas in the lower peninsula of Michigan is
comprised of rapids-type habitat, which is critical to the lifecycle of
many aquatic species. Furthermore, the rapids have a significant
economic benefit associated with outdoor recreation.
Alternatives: There is a vested interest by local stakeholders in
restoring the rapids habitat in this stretch of the Grand River in
downtown Grand Rapids. A healthy mussel population, that includes the
federally-listed endangered scaleshell and snuffbox mussels as well as
a number of state-listed mussel species, is expected to be adversely
impacted by this project, based on mussel surveys conducted in 2016 and
informal consultation with the USFWS. Project alternatives must take
into account the impacted mussels as well as providing a means to block
sea lamprey from moving upstream, as this invasive species is currently
blocked by the existing 6th Street Dam in the Grand River, must
maintain or reduce the current risk of flooding upstream, and must
provide for fish passage into upstream areas. An outcome of the NEPA
public scoping process is the formulation/development of a range of
project alternatives based on public input and agency expertise so that
the project can be developed in a manner that is consistent with sound
engineering practice and meets all applicable environmental laws and
regulations. The draft EIS will consider the direct, indirect, and
cumulative impacts of alternatives on affected resources that are
identified during the scoping process, including, but are not limited
to: Water quality, stream flows, air quality, fish and wildlife
(including federally-listed endangered species and their designated
critical habitat), floodplains, wetlands, climate, cultural resources,
and social and economic resources such as noise, aesthetics,
environmental justice.
Scoping Process/Public Involvement: The USACE, Detroit District is
issuing this notice, on behalf of the GLFC to: (1) Inform other Federal
and state agencies, tribes, and the public of their plan to analyze
effects related to implementation of the Grand River Habitat
Restoration and Invasive Species Control Project in Grand Rapids,
Michigan; (2) obtain suggestions and information that may inform the
scope of issues and range of alternatives to evaluate in the draft EIS;
(3) request input on potential effects to federally-listed endangered
species and their critical habitat in accordance with the Endangered
Species Act; and (4) provide notice and request input on potential
effects on historic properties in accordance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
The scoping process will help identify reasonable prudent
alternatives, facilitate the evaluation of potential effects to the
human and natural environments and key issues of concern to be analyzed
in the draft EIS. The USACE, Detroit District, on behalf of the GLFC,
intends to comply with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act
by undergoing formal Section 7 Consultation with the USFWS.
Additionally, the USACE, Detroit District, on behalf of the GLFC,
intends to comply with the requirements of
[[Page 9510]]
Section 106 of the NHPA in parallel with the NEPA process. The USACE,
Detroit District invites federal, state, and local agencies, federally-
recognized Native American Tribes, the State Historic Preservation
Office, other interested parties, and the general public to participate
in the NEPA scoping process for the preparation of this draft EIS by
attending meetings and/or submitting written comments.
The NEPA Public Scoping open house style meeting will be held at
the DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids,
MI 49503 on Monday, April 8, 2019 from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. to
provide information to the public, serve as a mechanism to solicit
agency and public input to develop alternatives and issues of concern,
and ensure full and open participation in scoping of the draft EIS. A
short, informal presentation will be held at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to
provide more detail on the project. Written comments will also be
requested. Additional information related to the public scoping process
will be provided through news releases to the media, advertisements
placed in regional/local newspapers of general circulation, Public
Notice, and/or on the project website at: https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental-Services/.
Upon completion of the scoping process, the draft EIS will be
developed and circulated for public review and comment. The USACE
Detroit District expects to release the draft EIS for public review and
comment in late 2019. The USACE Detroit District will issue a Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register announcing the release of the
draft EIS for public comment through news releases to the media,
advertisements placed in regional/local newspapers of general
circulation, Public Notice, and/or on the project website listed above.
Charles A. Uhlarik,
Chief, Environmental Analysis Branch, USACE, Detroit District.
[FR Doc. 2019-04864 Filed 3-14-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
