Intent To Prepare a Draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, Texas Resiliency Study, 71394-71395 [2019-27766]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 248 / Friday, December 27, 2019 / Notices
Defense Services Proposed to be Sold:
None
(viii) Date Report Delivered to
Congress: October 22, 2019
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the
Arms Export Control Act.
Intent To Prepare a Draft Feasibility
Report and Environmental Impact
Statement for the Buffalo Bayou and
Tributaries, Texas Resiliency Study
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Bahrain—Refurbishment of the Oliver
Hazard Perry Class Ship, Ex ROBERT G.
BRADLEY (FFG 49)
AGENCY:
The Government of Bahrain has
requested refurbishment of the Oliver
Hazard Perry Class ship, ex ROBERT G.
BRADLEY (FFG 49), spares, support,
training, publications, and other related
elements of logistics and program
support. The estimated cost is $150
million.
This proposed sale will support the
foreign policy and national security of
the United States by helping to improve
the security of an important ally which
is a force for political stability and
economic progress in the Middle East.
This sale is consistent with U.S.
initiatives to provide key allies in the
region with systems that will enhance
interoperability with U.S. forces and
increase security.
The proposed sale will refurbish and
support the grant transfer of the Oliver
Hazard Perry Class ship, ex ROBERT G.
BRADLEY (FFG 49), which was
authorized for transfer under Public
Law 115-232, Section 1020. Bahrain
already operates another Oliver Hazard
Perry Class ship. Bahrain will have no
difficulty absorbing these defense
articles and services into its armed
forces.
The proposed sale will not alter the
basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor supporting
the refurbishment has not yet been
selected for this potential sale. There are
no known offset agreements proposed in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale
will not require the assignment of any
U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to Bahrain.
There will be no adverse impact on
U.S. defense readiness as a result of this
proposed sale.
SUMMARY:
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[FR Doc. 2019–27981 Filed 12–26–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
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18:44 Dec 26, 2019
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Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Galveston District
(USACE) intends to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries,
Texas Resiliency Study (BBTRS). The
study will identify and evaluate the
feasibility of reducing flood risks on
Buffalo Bayou in Harris and Fort Bend
Counties, Texas. The study will also
complete a Dam Safety Modification
Study (DSMS) on the Addicks and
Barker Dams. This notice announces
USACE’s intent to determine the scope
of the issues to be addressed and
identify the significant issues related to
a proposed action.
ADDRESSES: Pertinent information about
the study can be found at: https://
www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/
Projects/Buffalo-Bayou-and-TributariesResiliency-Study/.
Questions or comments about the
proposed action or requests to be added
to the project mailing list can be
emailed to BBTRS@usace.army.mil or
mailed to USACE, Galveston District,
Attn: BBTRS, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston,
TX 77553–1229.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Galveston District Public Affairs Office
at 409–766–3004 or swgpao@
usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority. The Buffalo Bayou and
Tributaries Resiliency Study (BBTRS) is
authorized under Section 216 of the
Flood Control Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91–
611) and existing project authority.
Section 216 authorizes USACE to
review a completed navigation, flood
risk reduction, water supply, or related
project due to significantly changed
physical or economic conditions, and to
report to Congress with
recommendations regarding
modification of the project’s structures
or operation, and for improving the
quality of the environment in the overall
public interest. The Bipartisan Budget
Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115–123) funded
the study as a new start. The study
phase is 100% federally funded.
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2. Background. USACE, in
partnership with the Harris County
Flood Control District (HCFCD), as the
non-Federal sponsor, is undertaking the
study to evaluate the feasibility of
reducing flood risks on Buffalo Bayou
upstream and downstream of Addicks
and Barker Reservoirs.
The Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries,
Texas Project (Project) was authorized
by Congress in the 1930s for the purpose
of providing flood control for the city
and port of Houston, Texas. In the
1940s, Addicks and Barker Dams were
constructed and a portion of Buffalo
Bayou was straightened as part of the
completed Project. Since the 1940s, a
number of physical improvements and
operational changes to the Project have
been implemented. However, the
watershed continues to experience
major flood events, with the most recent
and most significant occurring during
Hurricane Harvey in 2017. These recent
flood events, coupled with projected
increases in precipitation patterns and
the potential for flooding events in the
future, warrant investigation into
whether the Project should be modified
to address existing and future flooding
concerns.
The first purpose of this study is to
examine alternatives to reduce potential
flooding in three watersheds (Addicks
Reservoir, Barker Reservoir, and Buffalo
Bayou Watersheds) and consider
impacts to/from a portion of Cypress
Creek, Brays Bayou and White Oak
Bayou watersheds. The main flooding
risks being evaluated are upstream and
downstream of Addicks and Barker
Reservoirs and along Buffalo Bayou.
Buffalo Bayou flows 32 miles from
Barker Reservoir in far west Harris
County to the Turning Basin of the
Houston Ship Channel. The bayou
provides the main drainage conduit for
central Houston as it winds through the
heart of Houston, past neighborhoods,
parks, office towers, and industrial
areas, before it joins with White Oak
Bayou just north of Houston’s central
business district.
The second purpose of this study is to
evaluate dam safety concerns at Addicks
and Barker Dams and examine
alternatives to address the concerns.
The dams have been previously
evaluated through the Dam Safety
Program and both dams have been
assigned a Dam Safety Action
Classification (DSAC) I rating. The
DSAC I rating means the combination of
life or economic consequences with
probability of failure is extremely high.
In response to this rating, a Dam Safety
Modification Study (DSMS) was
undertaken. Phase 1 of the DSMS,
which addressed the highest risk
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 248 / Friday, December 27, 2019 / Notices
concerns, was analyzed in a report
completed in 2013. Modifications
recommended by that report are
currently under construction with an
anticipated completion date in February
2020. The BBTRS will complete Phase
2 of the DSMS, and address remaining
concerns identified in Phase 1.
3. Alternatives. The study will
evaluate alternatives that would modify
the existing Project to more efficiently
and effectively convey water throughout
the system and reduce the flooding risk,
as well as measures that would address
the remaining dam safety concerns. A
No Action Alternative is also being
considered. A number of structural
measures are being considered
including but not limited to: Tunnels,
bypass channels, new reservoirs,
detention ponds, dredging of existing
detention ponds and reservoirs, and
spillway modifications. Non-structural
measures, such as operational changes
and property acquisition, are also being
considered. The study will evaluate
potential benefits and impacts of the
reasonable array of alternatives
including direct, indirect and
cumulative effects to the human and
natural environments that balance the
interests of flood damage reduction and
environmental impacts.
4. Public Participation. Scoping
completed prior to and after publication
of this NOI will be used to develop the
EIS. The scoping comment period began
on April 27, 2019, and will end 30 days
after publication of this notice. All
comments received during the scoping
period are being used to identify
additional measures and alternatives,
significant resources, and impacts that
should be considered in the EIS.
Additional comments received outside
the scoping period will be considered
prior to the Draft EIS public review
period, to the extent possible. For
comments that cannot be addressed
prior to the public review period, the
comments will be included with the
public review period comments and
addressed at that time. No public
meetings are scheduled.
Between April 30 and May 9, 2019,
USACE and HCFCD hosted five Public
Scoping Meetings—three meetings were
held near Buffalo Bayou downstream of
the reservoirs and two meetings were
held upstream of the reservoirs. A
Public Notice was published on the
Galveston District website and in the
Legal Notices section of the Houston
Chronicle. Public news releases
announcing the scoping period
timeframe; public meeting dates, times,
and locations; and where to send
comments were published in the
appropriate local newspapers, on the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:44 Dec 26, 2019
Jkt 250001
Galveston District and HCFCD websites,
and were distributed to the local
stakeholders and known interested
parties.
5. Coordination. USACE will serve as
the lead Federal agency in the
preparation of the EIS. Other Federal
and state agencies have been invited to
participate throughout the study process
as Coordinating or Participating
Agencies. Further coordination with
environmental agencies will be
conducted under the NEPA, the Fish
and Wildlife Coordination Act, the
Endangered Species Act, the Clean
Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the
National Historic and Preservation Act,
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, and
the Coastal Zone Management Act.
6. Availability of Draft EIS. USACE
currently estimates that the Draft EIS
will be available for public review and
comment in or around late Spring or
early Summer 2020. At that time,
USACE will provide a 45-day public
review period for individuals and
agencies to review and comment.
USACE will notify all interested
agencies, organizations, and individuals
of the availability of the draft document
at that time.
Paul E. Owen,
Brigadier General, USA Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2019–27766 Filed 12–26–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards;
Developing Hispanic-Serving
Institutions Program
Office of Postsecondary
Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications (NIA) for new awards for
fiscal year (FY) 2020 for the Developing
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI)
Program, Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) number 84.031S.
This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB
control number 1840–0745.
DATES:
Applications Available: December 27,
2019.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: February 10, 2020.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: April 10, 2020.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for
obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to our Common
SUMMARY:
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71395
Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary
Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on February 13, 2019
(84 FR 3768), and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-201902-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Njeri Clark, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 260–14, Washington, DC 20202–
4260. Telephone: (202) 453–6224.
Email: Njeri.Clark@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The DHSI
Program provides grants to assist
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to
expand educational opportunities for,
and improve the academic attainment
of, Hispanic students. DHSI Program
grants enable HSIs to expand and
enhance the academic offerings,
program quality, faculty quality, and
institutional stability of colleges and
universities that are educating the
majority of Hispanic college students
and help large numbers of Hispanic
students and other low-income
individuals complete postsecondary
degrees.
Background: Hispanic students are
enrolling in postsecondary institutions
at higher rates than ever before, yet their
high enrollments are not translating to
degree completion.1 HSIs have an
opportunity to both improve individual
educational outcomes and support our
Nation’s economic growth and
competitiveness by increasing the
number of certificates and degrees
attained by Hispanic and low-income
students. HSIs’ high enrollment of
Hispanic and low-income students
positions them to serve as models for
how best to meet the needs of Hispanic
and low-income students. The DHSI
program supports HSIs that demonstrate
a commitment to developing or
enhancing a comprehensive plan that
looks to identify and address the
strengths and weaknesses of an
institution’s enrollment, retention,
support, and graduation rates of
Hispanic and low-income students.
HSIs interested in applying to this
grant program can use the development
of their comprehensive plan to examine
1 Digest of Education Statistics 2017, January
2019, https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018070.pdf.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71394-71395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27766]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Feasibility Report and Environmental
Impact Statement for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, Texas
Resiliency Study
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston
District (USACE) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, Texas Resiliency Study
(BBTRS). The study will identify and evaluate the feasibility of
reducing flood risks on Buffalo Bayou in Harris and Fort Bend Counties,
Texas. The study will also complete a Dam Safety Modification Study
(DSMS) on the Addicks and Barker Dams. This notice announces USACE's
intent to determine the scope of the issues to be addressed and
identify the significant issues related to a proposed action.
ADDRESSES: Pertinent information about the study can be found at:
https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects/Buffalo-Bayou-and-Tributaries-Resiliency-Study/.
Questions or comments about the proposed action or requests to be
added to the project mailing list can be emailed to
[email protected] or mailed to USACE, Galveston District, Attn:
BBTRS, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, TX 77553-1229.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Galveston District Public Affairs
Office at 409-766-3004 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority. The Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study
(BBTRS) is authorized under Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of
1970 (Pub. L. 91-611) and existing project authority. Section 216
authorizes USACE to review a completed navigation, flood risk
reduction, water supply, or related project due to significantly
changed physical or economic conditions, and to report to Congress with
recommendations regarding modification of the project's structures or
operation, and for improving the quality of the environment in the
overall public interest. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Pub. L.
115-123) funded the study as a new start. The study phase is 100%
federally funded.
2. Background. USACE, in partnership with the Harris County Flood
Control District (HCFCD), as the non-Federal sponsor, is undertaking
the study to evaluate the feasibility of reducing flood risks on
Buffalo Bayou upstream and downstream of Addicks and Barker Reservoirs.
The Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, Texas Project (Project) was
authorized by Congress in the 1930s for the purpose of providing flood
control for the city and port of Houston, Texas. In the 1940s, Addicks
and Barker Dams were constructed and a portion of Buffalo Bayou was
straightened as part of the completed Project. Since the 1940s, a
number of physical improvements and operational changes to the Project
have been implemented. However, the watershed continues to experience
major flood events, with the most recent and most significant occurring
during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. These recent flood events, coupled
with projected increases in precipitation patterns and the potential
for flooding events in the future, warrant investigation into whether
the Project should be modified to address existing and future flooding
concerns.
The first purpose of this study is to examine alternatives to
reduce potential flooding in three watersheds (Addicks Reservoir,
Barker Reservoir, and Buffalo Bayou Watersheds) and consider impacts
to/from a portion of Cypress Creek, Brays Bayou and White Oak Bayou
watersheds. The main flooding risks being evaluated are upstream and
downstream of Addicks and Barker Reservoirs and along Buffalo Bayou.
Buffalo Bayou flows 32 miles from Barker Reservoir in far west Harris
County to the Turning Basin of the Houston Ship Channel. The bayou
provides the main drainage conduit for central Houston as it winds
through the heart of Houston, past neighborhoods, parks, office towers,
and industrial areas, before it joins with White Oak Bayou just north
of Houston's central business district.
The second purpose of this study is to evaluate dam safety concerns
at Addicks and Barker Dams and examine alternatives to address the
concerns. The dams have been previously evaluated through the Dam
Safety Program and both dams have been assigned a Dam Safety Action
Classification (DSAC) I rating. The DSAC I rating means the combination
of life or economic consequences with probability of failure is
extremely high. In response to this rating, a Dam Safety Modification
Study (DSMS) was undertaken. Phase 1 of the DSMS, which addressed the
highest risk
[[Page 71395]]
concerns, was analyzed in a report completed in 2013. Modifications
recommended by that report are currently under construction with an
anticipated completion date in February 2020. The BBTRS will complete
Phase 2 of the DSMS, and address remaining concerns identified in Phase
1.
3. Alternatives. The study will evaluate alternatives that would
modify the existing Project to more efficiently and effectively convey
water throughout the system and reduce the flooding risk, as well as
measures that would address the remaining dam safety concerns. A No
Action Alternative is also being considered. A number of structural
measures are being considered including but not limited to: Tunnels,
bypass channels, new reservoirs, detention ponds, dredging of existing
detention ponds and reservoirs, and spillway modifications. Non-
structural measures, such as operational changes and property
acquisition, are also being considered. The study will evaluate
potential benefits and impacts of the reasonable array of alternatives
including direct, indirect and cumulative effects to the human and
natural environments that balance the interests of flood damage
reduction and environmental impacts.
4. Public Participation. Scoping completed prior to and after
publication of this NOI will be used to develop the EIS. The scoping
comment period began on April 27, 2019, and will end 30 days after
publication of this notice. All comments received during the scoping
period are being used to identify additional measures and alternatives,
significant resources, and impacts that should be considered in the
EIS. Additional comments received outside the scoping period will be
considered prior to the Draft EIS public review period, to the extent
possible. For comments that cannot be addressed prior to the public
review period, the comments will be included with the public review
period comments and addressed at that time. No public meetings are
scheduled.
Between April 30 and May 9, 2019, USACE and HCFCD hosted five
Public Scoping Meetings--three meetings were held near Buffalo Bayou
downstream of the reservoirs and two meetings were held upstream of the
reservoirs. A Public Notice was published on the Galveston District
website and in the Legal Notices section of the Houston Chronicle.
Public news releases announcing the scoping period timeframe; public
meeting dates, times, and locations; and where to send comments were
published in the appropriate local newspapers, on the Galveston
District and HCFCD websites, and were distributed to the local
stakeholders and known interested parties.
5. Coordination. USACE will serve as the lead Federal agency in the
preparation of the EIS. Other Federal and state agencies have been
invited to participate throughout the study process as Coordinating or
Participating Agencies. Further coordination with environmental
agencies will be conducted under the NEPA, the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the
Clean Air Act, the National Historic and Preservation Act, the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and the
Coastal Zone Management Act.
6. Availability of Draft EIS. USACE currently estimates that the
Draft EIS will be available for public review and comment in or around
late Spring or early Summer 2020. At that time, USACE will provide a
45-day public review period for individuals and agencies to review and
comment. USACE will notify all interested agencies, organizations, and
individuals of the availability of the draft document at that time.
Paul E. Owen,
Brigadier General, USA Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2019-27766 Filed 12-26-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
