[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58949-58950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28878]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers; Department of the Army
Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the
Western Branch, Patuxent River, Water Resources Feasibility Study in
Prince George's County, Maryland and Hold a Public Scoping Workshop
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), the Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is
initiating the Western Branch, Patuxent River, Water Resources
Feasibility Study. The riparian and aquatic environmental integrity of
the Western Branch watershed has been severely degraded by
urbanization, inadequate infrastructure and industrial encroachment.
Potential environmental restoration of streambanks, wetlands and forest
buffers could restore riparian and aquatic habitat, improve water
quality through habitat restoration, restore stream channel stability,
and reduce erosion and sedimentation. An EIS will be integrated into
the feasibility study to document existing conditions, project actions,
and project effects and products. Prince George's County and the
Maryland Department of the Environment are the non-Federal sponsors for
the project.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Questions about the proposed action and DEIS
can be addressed to Ms. Michele A. Bistany, Study Manager, Baltimore
District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENAB-PL-P, P.O. Box
1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, telephone (410) 962-4934, E-mail
address:
michele.a.bistany@usace.army.mil
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. The Patuxent River Water Resources Reconnaissance Study was
authorized by a resolution of the Committee on Public Works and
Transportation of the United States House of Representatives, adopted
28 September 1994.
2. The area proposed for environmental restoration is known as the
Western Branch, Patuxent River watershed. The most significant problems
in the Western Branch watershed are the loss of aquatic and riparian
habitat and the instability of the streambeds and channels. This
excessive degradation includes: rapid stormwater flows that cause
streambank erosion and sedimentation, encroachment of development which
limits riparian habitat and wetlands, and polluted runoff which
contributes to poor water quality. These factors negatively impact the
present aquatic and riparian environment and will continue to cause
further degradation in the future.
3. On 24 July 1997, the Baltimore District and Prince George's
County executed a feasibility cost-sharing agreement to prepare a study
on the Western Branch watershed. This watershed study is being
conducted to investigate the feasibility of restoring habitat and the
environmental integrity of the watershed. The purpose of this study is
to better define problems within the watershed including sedimentation
and erosion, reduction of aquatic and riparian habitat, and degradation
of wetland habitat and to determine solutions to these problems. The
goal of this study is to improve the aquatic and riparian ecosystem,
and reduce sedimentation and erosion within the Western Branch
watershed. To achieve this goal, the Corps will further define the
problems, needs, and opportunities in the watershed; analyze and
forecast environmental resource conditions; formulate, evaluate, and
compare alternative concept plans for numerous sites within the
watershed; develop detailed designs and costs for the selected
concepts; and recommend a cost effective overall plan for the
watershed.
4. Throughout the feasibility study, potential restoration sites
within the watershed will be identified, evaluated, and selected. To
achieve the proposed watershed restoration, the alternatives to be
evaluated will include stabilization of eroding stream channels,
creation and enhancement of wetlands, restoration of floodplains,
construction of or improvements to stormwater detention ponds, and
construction of fish passage structures. Fish habitat structures would
also be installed, if necessary, to restore aquatic habitat and provide
added cover for spawning. Stream restoration alternatives may include
stabilization techniques, such as plantings, and placement of
geotextile tubes or natural materials.
5. The decision to implement these actions will be based on an
evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activities on the
public interest, reflecting the national concern for both protection
and utilization of important resources. The benefit that reasonably may
be expected to accrue from the proposal will be balanced against its
reasonably foreseeable costs. The Baltimore District is preparing an
EIS that will describe the impacts of the proposed projects on
environmental and cultural resources in the study area and the overall
public interest. The EIS will be in accordance with NEPA and will
document all factors that may be relevant to the proposal, including
the cumulative effects thereof. Among these factors are conservation,
economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands,
cultural and historic values, fish and wildlife values, threatened and
endangered species, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use,
recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, air quality,
hazardous and toxic substances, safety, and the general needs and
welfare of the people. If applicable, the EIS will also apply
guidelines issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, under the
authority of Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (Public
Law 95-217).
6. The public involvement program will include public workshops,
meetings, and other coordination with interested private individuals
and organizations, as well as with concerned Federal, state and local
agencies. Coordination letters and newsletters have been sent to
appropriate agencies, organizations, and individuals on an extensive
mailing list. Additional public information will be provided through
print media, mailings, and radio and television announcements.
7. In addition to the Corps, Prince George's County, and the
Maryland Department of the Environment, other participants that will be
involved in the study and EIS process include the following: U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S.
Forest Service; U.S. Geological Survey; National Marine Fisheries
Service; Natural Resource Conservation Service; and the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources. The Baltimore District invites
potentially
[[Page 58950]]
affected Federal, state, and local agencies, and other organizations
and entities to participate in this study.
8. A public scoping workshop will be held on 6 November 1997 from
7-9 p.m. at Largo High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The purpose
of the meeting is to solicit public concerns and comments on the study
area and the study process.
9. The DEIS is tentatively scheduled to be available for public
review in July of 1999.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-28878 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-41-M
