Army Department August 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The District Commander of the Omaha District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has reviewed the ``Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Mechanical and Artificial Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat (ESH) on the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River'' and has made the decision to proceed with the implementation of an Adaptive Management Implementation Process (AMIP) (preferred alternative) with a construction ceiling of acres associated with Alternative 3.5. Specific details of the decision are captured in the Record of Decision (ROD) for this action. The ROD explains that the Corps will create and maintain ESH acres in the Fort Peck, Garrison, Fort Randall and Gavins Point River Segments, and the Lewis and Clark Lake Segment for the benefit of the Interior Population of the least tern (least tern) and the northern Great Plains piping plover (piping plover). The maximum potential acres of ESH to be created is approximately 4,370 acres total, with the following estimated maximum acres by reach: Fort Peck River, 565. Garrison River, 1,327. Fort Randall River, 212. Lewis & Clark Lake, 354. Gavins Point River, 1,913. The AMIP alternative best supports the needs of the birds while providing flexibility in program implementation that will help minimize environmental impacts as well as costs.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) under Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (as amended) (33 U.S.C. 408), and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344), for the proposed Southport Sacramento River Early Implementation Project (EIP), sponsored by the West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (WSAFCA). Figures of the project area can be viewed at https:// www.cityofwestsacramento.org/city/flood. WSAFCA is planning the Southport Sacramento River EIP to implement flood-risk reduction measures along the Sacramento River South Levee in the City of West Sacramento, Yolo County, CA. The project reach extends along the right bank of the Sacramento River south of the barge canal, downstream approximately 6.4 miles to the South Cross Levee, protecting the Southport community of West Sacramento. The 3.3-square mile study area encompasses the area of levee improvement along the river corridor and the potential soil borrow sites. In order to implement the project, the sponsor must acquire permission from USACE to alter the Federal project under Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (as amended) (33 U.S.C. 408 or, Section 408). USACE also has authority under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) over activities involving the discharge of dredged or fill material to waters of the United States, which are known to be in the project area. The project would bring the levee up to standard with Federal and state flood protection criteria, as well as providing opportunities for ecosystem restoration and public recreation. USACE, acting as the federal lead agency under NEPA, and WSAFCA, acting as the state lead agency under the CEQA in coordination with the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, have determined that an EIS/EIR should be prepared to describe alternatives, potential environmental effects, and mitigation measures.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (Regulatory Division), in coordination with the California Natural Resources Agency, has completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project. The Natural Resources Agency is requesting a permit from the Corps of Engineers to discharge dredged or fill material into the Salton Sea, a water of the United States subject to the Corps jurisdiction under section 404 of the Clean Water Act, including permanent impacts up to 24 acres and temporary impacts up to 1,760 acres for the construction of up to 3,770 acres of shallow ponds and associated infrastructure at the southern end of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. Compared to existing conditions, the SCH Project would result in a net increase in the extent of jurisdictional aquatic resources by up to 1,986 acres because the ponds would restore such resources located between elevation -228 feet and -231 feet previously lost by the receding Sea. Draft EIS/EIR Comment Process. In an effort to follow sustainable business practices, the Draft EIS/EIR can be downloaded in electronic format from the Natural Resources AgencyDepartment of Water Resources' Web site: https://www.water.ca.gov/ saltonsea/. A hardcopy of the Draft EIS/EIR and documents referenced in the Draft EIS/EIR can be viewed at the following location: California Department of Fish and Game, 78078 Country Club Drive, Suite 109, Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203. In addition, the hardcopy Draft EIS/EIR can be viewed at the following public locations: Brawley Public Library, 400 Main Street, Brawley, CA 92227; Calipatria Public Library, 225 West Main Street, Calipatria, CA 92233; Imperial Public Library, 200 West 9th Street, Imperial, CA 92251; El Centro Public Library, 375 South 1st Street, El Centro, CA 92243; Imperial County Free Library, 2098 Frontage Road, Salton City, CA 92275; Mecca-North Shore Public Library, 91-260 Avenue 66, Mecca, CA 92254; and Coachella Branch Library, 1538 7th Street, Coachella, CA 92236. The Corps and the Natural Resources Agency invites interested parties to attend one of the jointly held public hearings to provide the agencies with their views and comments on the Draft EIS/EIR. Comments on the content of the Draft EIS/EIR by Federal, State, and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested organizations and persons are encouraged and will be considered by the Corps and the Natural Resources Agency and become part of the administrative record for the Corps' decision. The public hearings will be held at: 1. CalipatriaSeptember 14, 2011 at 1 P.M. at the Calipatria Inn and Suites, 700 North Sorenson Avenue, Calipatria, CA 92233. 2. BrawleySeptember 14, 2011 at 6 P.M. at Elks Lodge 1420, 161 South Plaza, Brawley, CA 92227. 3. Palm Desert September 15, 2011 at 1 P.M. at the University of California, 75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Room B200, Palm Desert, CA 92211. In order for the Corps and the Natural Resources Agency to more accurately process and respond to comments, an online e-form is provided on the Natural Resources AgencyDepartment of Water Resources' Web site https://www.water.ca.gov/saltonsea/ and is the preferred method of receiving comments from interested parties. Alternatively, written comment letters can be provided directly to Ms. Lanika Cervantes or Mr. David Elms at the addresses listed below.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Charleston District, intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), for the Charleston Harbor Deepening Study (Post-45 study). The purpose of this DEIS and feasibility study is to investigate modification of the existing Charleston Harbor project in the interest of navigation improvements.

The Department of the Army proposes to add a system of records to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.