United States Army Corps of Engineers 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Rock Island and Chicago Districts, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), will host three public meetings to discuss the draft report titled The Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study Brandon Road Draft Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact StatementWill County, Illinois. The purpose of these public meetings is to receive input regarding the GLMRIS-Brandon Road Study to prevent the upstream transfer of aquatic nuisance species, such as Asian carp, while minimizing impacts to existing waterway uses and users. Public meetings will begin with an open house followed by a presentation regarding the study and an oral public comment period. There will be opportunities for web-based participation during two of these meetings.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has posted The Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin StudyBrandon Road Draft Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact StatementWill County, Illinois (GLMRIS-Brandon Road Report) on https://glmris.anl.gov. The GLMRISBrandon Road Report presents a plan to address the transfer of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) from the Mississippi River Basin to the Great Lakes Basin through an aquatic connection in the Chicago Area Waterway System. The purpose of this study is to evaluate structural and nonstructural options and technologies near the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to prevent the upstream transfer of ANS. USACE analyzed and evaluated available controls to address ANS of concern and formulated alternatives specifically for the Brandon Road site. USACE also evaluated the potential impacts of the alternatives and ways to minimize such impacts. USACE conducted the GLMRIS-Brandon Road Study in consultation with other Federal agencies, Native American tribes, state agencies, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and industry.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) intends to prepare a General Reevaluation Report and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (GRR/SEIS). This is in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for the Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico Project (Project). This also is the implementation of actions to avoid or minimize potential effects to Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed species and/or associated critical habitat. The GRR/SEIS will supplement the May 1979, Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico, Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). That document assessed impacts from alternatives to reduce flood risk to structures, infrastructure and life safety. The previously proposed alternative included reconstructing the existing spoil bank system maintained by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) with structurally competent levee system.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Huntington District has prepared a Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS) to disclose potential impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment resulting from modifications to Bluestone Dam. The original EIS was published in 1998 and a Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in 1999 concluding the NEPA process allowing the Corps to initiate implementation of the Bluestone Dam Safety Assurance (DSA) Project. When completed, the current modifications under construction will strengthen the dam's stability and allow for increased discharge capacity through the use of hydropower penstocks substantially reducing risk. However, physical modeling and expert analysis conducted during project construction indicated the downstream bedrock is vulnerable to an unacceptable degree of erosion during high flow events. The Corps has also recognized potential for unacceptable erosion associated with overtopping of areas of the dam not designed to be overtopped. After a full consideration of alternatives to achieve acceptable risk levels, this SFEIS recommends implementing modifications to the existing stilling basin to prevent scour that could result in spillway instability and thus dam failure. Proposed modifications include alteration to the existing stilling basin to include installation of a protective concrete apron and larger baffles among other features described in the SFEIS. This SFEIS also addresses the impacts associated with prolonged construction duration of modification features described in the original EIS and ROD.

On December 16, 2016 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (81 FR 91151) for the Draft Missouri River Recovery Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (MRRMP-EIS). The original comment period was scheduled to end February 24, 2017. This notice extends the public comment period to April 24, 2017.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is correcting a notice of proposed rulemaking that appeared in the Federal Register of December 16, 2016 and extending the comment period on this rulemaking.