[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 45292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21697]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for the Rio Salado Oeste Feasibility Study, Phoenix, AZ
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will
prepare a DEIS to support the Rio Salado Oeste Feasibility Study,
Phoenix, Arizona. The study area is the Salt River (Rio Salado in
Spanish) between 19th Avenue and 83rd Avenue. This study will
investigate feasible alternatives to restore the native riparian
ecosystem, to increase passive recreation associated with the ecosystem
restoration, and to improve flood control. The DEIS will analyze the
potential impacts (beneficial and adverse) on the environment of a
range of alternatives, including the recommended plan.
The Los Angeles District and the City of Phoenix will cooperate in
conducting this feasibility study.
ADDRESSES: District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles
District, ATTN: CESPL-PD-RQ (R. Farve), P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles,
California 90053-2325.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rey Favre, Environmental
Coordinator, telephone (213)-452-3864, or Ms. Kayla Eckert, Study
Manager, telephone (602)-640-2003.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authorization. This feasibility study is conducted under the
authority given in Section 6 of the Flood Control Act of 1938, dated
June 28, 1938, and in accordance with House Resolution 2425 (HR 2425),
dated May 17, 1994. HR 2425 states, in part: ``* * * the Secretary of
Army is requested to review reports of the Chief of Engineers on the
State of Arizona * * * in the interest of flood damage reduction,
environmental protection and restoration and related purposes.''
2. Background. The feasibility study area is located on the Salt
River (Rio Salado in Spanish) in Phoenix, Arizona, between 19th Avenue
and 83rd Avenue. The Rio Salado Oeste (Salt River--West) study area is
just west of the authorized Rio Salado project and just east of the
authorized Tres Rios Project. Like the Tres Rios and Rio Salado
Projects, the primary purpose of the Rio Salado Oeste Study is
environmental restoration. The non-federal sponsor of the feasibility
study is the City of Phoenix.
3. Alternatives. The Los Angeles district will investigate and
evaluate all reasonable alternatives to provide for the restoration of
Sonoran riparian vegetation and associated native wildlife, to improve
flood control along the river between 67th and 75th Avenues, and to
increase passive recreation and educational opportunities inked to the
restoration of the environment. Significant beneficial impacts to the
environment are expected from the restoration native riparian habitats
in the area.
4. Scoping Process. Participation of all interested Federal, State,
and County agencies, groups with environmental interests, and any
interested individuals are encouraged. Public involvement will be most
beneficial and worthwhile in identifying the scope of pertinent,
significant environmental issues to be addressed, identifying and
eliminating from detailed study issues that are not significant,
offering useful information such as published or unpublished data,
providing direct personal experience or knowledge which informs
decision making, and recommending suitable mitigation measures to
offset potential impacts from the proposed action or alternatives.
A public scoping meeting has been tentatively scheduled for
sometime in September 2001. When available, the specific date, time,
and location of this meeting will be announced in a mailing to those on
the mailing list developed for this project, and announced through
local media channels. The purpose of the scoping meeting will be to
gather information from the general public or interested organizations
about issues and concerns that they would like to see addressed in the
DEIS. Comments may be delivered in writing or verbally at the meeting
or sent in writing to the Los Angeles District at the address given
above. The scoping period will conclude 60 days after publication of
this NOI.
5. Availability of the DEIS. The DEIS is expected to be available
to the public for review and comment beginning in the summer of 2004.
Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. 01-21697 Filed 8-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-KF-M