Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers March 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice is a revision of the Notice of Intent published August 26, 2011 (76 FR 53423). 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) is preparing 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 management measures along the Sacramento River South Levee in the City of West Sacramento, Yolo County, CA. Since publication of the 2011 Notice of Intent, WSAFCA has expanded the study area to include additional potential soil borrow sites. Material from these borrow sites may be used as part of project construction. The potential construction area extends along the right (west) bank of the Sacramento River south of the Barge Canal downstream approximately 6 miles to the South Cross Levee, adjacent to the Southport community of West Sacramento. The potential soil borrow sites are located to the east and west of southern Jefferson Blvd.; adjacent to the construction area; immediately west of the Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel; and south of the South Cross Levee. In order to implement the project, the sponsor must receive 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 current Federal and state levee design standards, and provide some 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.