United States Army Corps of Engineers March 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The action being taken is preparation of an environmental impact statement/environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the Natomas Levee Improvement Program (NLIP) Phase 4a Landside Improvements Project (Phase 4a Project). The Corps is considering a request to issue both 408 permission to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and 404 permit to Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) for work on the NLIP. Under 33 U.S.C. 408, the Chief of Engineers may grant permission to alter an existing Federal project if it is not injurious to the public interest and does not impair the usefulness of the project. Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the District Engineer permits the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States if the discharge meets the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency's 404(b)(1) guidelines and is not contrary to the public interest. The NLIP is located in Sacramento and Sutter Counties, CA. The 408 permission is required for structural improvements to the Sacramento River east levee and the Natomas Cross Canal south levee. A 404 permit is needed for dredge and discharge of fill materials into waters of the United States resulting from levee improvements, relocation of the Riverside Canal, and development of associated habitat.