[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45287-45288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21696]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Missouri River Master Water Control Manual Review and Update
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and
implementing regulations, a Revised Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (RDEIS) has been prepared to evaluate the environmental
impacts of changes in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
operation of the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System. The Missouri
River Master Water Control Manual (Master Manual) specifies the
operating criteria for the operation of six Corps dams on the mainstem
of the Missouri River. The original Master Manual was published in
December 1960. Revisions were made in 1973 and 1975 and a revised
Master Manual was published in 1975. The existing Master Manual
establishes guidelines for operation of the reservoir system for the
multiple project purposes of flood control, hydropower, water supply,
water quality, irrigation, navigation, recreation, and fish and
wildlife. In addition, the existing Master Manual includes criteria for
how reservoir storage is divided and how water is released from the
reservoirs during navigation and nonnavigation periods. Each year an
Annual Operating Plan is developed using the water control plan
outlined in the Master Manual as a guide. During the period 1987-1993,
the Missouri River basin experienced a moderate to severe drought.
There were numerous lawsuits concerning the Corps operation of the
reservoirs. In November 1989, the Corps initiated a Review and Update
of the Master Manual and published a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) in 1994. In response to public comment and requests
for additional studies received during the comment period following
publication of the DEIS, the Corps has revised that document. The RDEIS
analyzes the environmental effects of a set of six alternative
operating plans for the Master Manual--the current water control plan
(CWCP), a modified conservation plan (MCP), and four alternatives that
add various Gavins Point Dam releases to the MCP. These latter four
alternatives, referred to as the GP options, address changes in water
releases from Gavins Point Dam that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) recommended in their November 2000 Final Biological Opinion
(BiOp) for the Corps operation of three Missouri River basin projects.
The USFWS feels these changes in releases, in conjunction with other
operational and non-operational measures, are necessary to ensure that
the Corps operation of the Mainstem Reservoir System is not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or result in
the destruction or modification of critical habitat for the listed
species.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the RDEIS may be
sent to Rosemary Hargrave, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern
Division, 12565 West Center Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3869. Ms.
Hargrave can also be contacted by telephone at (402) 697-2527, or email
at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Missouri River originates at Three
Forks, Montana and travels 2,341 miles to its confluence with the
Mississippi
[[Page 45288]]
River near St. Louis, Missouri, draining one sixth of the United
States. The Mainstem Reservoir System consists of six dams and
reservoirs located in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and
Nebraska. The System has the capacity to store 73.4 million acre-feet
of water, which makes it the largest system of reservoirs in North
America. Water flowing down the Missouri River is stored in the six
lakes and released as needed for project purposes. The planes of
conflict surrounding the revision of the Master Manual are numerous,
complex, and contentious. While the basin has made historic progress
during the last decade, significant controversy still remains. Much
controversy centers on proposed changes in spring and summer releases
from Gavins Point Dam for three species provided protection under the
Endangered Species Act.
There are 30 federally recognized Native American Tribes in the
Missouri River Basin. Thirteen reservations are located on the mainstem
of the Missouri River. The Tribes are dependent sovereign nations and
also hava a Trust relationship with the Corps. The Corps is currently
in government-to-government consultation with five Tribes, and urges
all of the basin Tribes to enter into consultation with Corps. The
RDEIS specifically identifies impacts to Tribes resulting from changes
in the operation of the Mainstem Reservoir System. Tribal participation
during the public comment period will be developed in partnership with
the Tribes.
A 6-month public comment period will follow release of the RDEIS.
Oral, written, and electronic comments will be accepted until February
28, 2002. Prior to this date, the Corps will hold Tribal and public
informational workshops and hearings throughout the Missouri River
basin and at some Mississippi River locations. Dates and locations of
these workshops will be provided in a September newsletter and on the
Corps' Northwestern Division web page at http://www.nwd.usace.army.mil.
Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-21696 Filed 8-27-01; 8:45 am]
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