[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 227 (Monday, November 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58339-58340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28808]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for the Upper Mississippi River--Illinois Waterway System Navigation
Study
agency: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
action: Notice intent.
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summary: A DEIS will be prepared to address the Upper Mississippi
River-Illinois Water System Navigation Study.
for further information contact: Questions about the proposed action
and DEIS can be answered by Mr. Ken Barr; (309) 794-5349; Commander,
U.S. Army Engineer District, Rock Island, ATTN: CENCR-PD-E, Clock Tower
Building, P.O. Box 2004, Rock Island, Illinois 610204-2004.
supplementary information: The Upper Mississippi River-Illinois
Waterway System Navigation Study is being conducted under the authority
of Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970. The 9-foot navigation
project is being reviewed for changed physical and economic conditions
that may warrant structural or operational modifications to reduce
congestion of commercial navigation traffic.
1. During reconnaissance studies, the primary problem identified
with the navigation system was lockage delays, especially in the
downstream portions of the systems.
2. Navigation improvements to reduce lockage delays identified to
date include large- and small-scale measures.
[[Page 58340]]
Combinations of these, along with the ``No Action'' alternative, are
being evaluated to form an array of alternatives which will eventually
result in a recommended plan.
3. Significant issues and concerns identified to date include:
system-wide impacts from potential navigation improvements and traffic
increases; site-specific impacts from construction; effects on
threatened and endangered species; defining and describing the ``future
without-project'' condition; secondary effects; cumulative impacts,
including the cumulative effects of the operation and maintenance of
the existing navigation system; and the future condition and management
of the river system.
4. Scoping for the Environmental Impact Statement builds on a
knowledge base resulting from the history of navigation on the Upper
Mississippi and Illinois Waterway Navigation Systems and includes
interagency coordination, interagency meetings, and public meetings.
The ``Plan of Study'' which evolved from the 2nd Lock at Lock and Dam
26 (Replacement) project provided a starting point for planning
environmental studies. Interagency coordination and a ``Reconnaissance
Resolution Conference'' held in December 1992 contributed further to an
existing environmental study plan. A ``Public Involvement'' component
of the study, and environmental, economic, engineering, and a
``Governor's Liaison'' committees have promoted dialogue and
coordination. A study newsletter with a mailing list of approximately
9,500 is mailed out 3 times a year. Public meetings were held in the
last quarter of 1993 and 1994, and open houses are scheduled for the
last quarter of 1995. Interested Federal, State, and local agencies,
Indian tribes, and other interested private organizations and parties
are invited to participate.
5. Environmental studies will continue through 1997, followed by
analysis and synthesis of data which is anticipated to be provided to
the public in a DES in June 1999.
Dated: November 15, 1995.
Charles S. Cox,
Colonel, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 95-28808 Filed 11-24-95; 8:45 am]
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