[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65199-65200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31409]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare A Draft Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for
the Alexander and Pulaski Counties Feasibility Study, Alexander and
Pulaski Counties, IL
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent and second public scoping meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources, intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the Alexander and Pulaski Counties Feasibility Study in
Alexander and Pulaski Counties, Illinois. A description of the proposed
project, location and environmental issues to be addressed in the draft
EIS are provided below (SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). In addition to this
notice, a second public scoping meeting will be held to further define
the scope of the feasibility study and to receive public comments
regarding the scope of the study and draft EIS. The public will be
invited to participate in the scoping process review of the draft EIS
and two public meetings. This notice is published in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations found in 40
CFR 1501.7. The purpose of this notice is to solicit suggestions and
information from other agencies and the public on the scope of the
feasibility study and issues to be addressed in the draft EIS. Comments
and participation in this process are encouraged.
Tentative Schedule:
a. Phase 2 Public Workshop & Letters (Scoping) (Subject:
Alternative Measures)--Nov 1996.
b. Phase 2 Public Involvement Results, Mailed to Public--Jan 1997.
c. Draft Feasibility Report & Draft EIS Mailed to Public for
Review/Comment--1998.
d. Phase 3 Public Involvement (Workshop, Meeting, Letters; Subject:
Alternative Plans)--1998.
e. Final Feasibility Report & Final EIS Mailed to Public (Includes
Phase 3 Public Involvement Analysis)--1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and draft EIS can be answered by: Mr. David Gates, (314) 331-8478, or
Mr. T. Miller, (314) 331-8458, Planning Division, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, St. Louis District, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri
63103.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. The study is in response to two Congressional Authorizations:
(1) Resolution of the House Committee on Flood Control, adopted 21 June
1944--The Board of Engineers for Rivers and harbors created under
Section 3 of the Rivers and Harbors Act approved 13 June 1902, was
requested to review the report on flood control on the Mississippi
River between Coon Rapids Dam and the mouth of the Ohio River,
contained in House Document No. 669, 76th Congress, 3rd Session, with a
view to determining whether flood protection should be provided for the
area in Illinois between the proposed new outlet Cache River, Illinois
and Miller City, Illinois. (2) Resolution sponsored by Congressman Paul
Simon of Illinois and adopted on 25 April 1978 by the House Committee
on Public Works and Transportation--The Board of Engineers for Rivers
and Harbors was requested to review the report entitled ``Comprehensive
Flood Control Plan for the Ohio and Lower Mississippi Rivers''
published as Flood Control Committee Document No. 1. 75th Congress, 1st
Session, and other pertinent reports with a view toward provision of a
comprehensive study of the flood
[[Page 65200]]
control problems and related water resources needs of streams in
Alexander and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, and those portions of the
streams and basins in adjacent Illinois counties tributary to Alexander
and Pulaski Counties.
2. For reasons of marginal flood control benefits, changing land
use, the recognized environmental uniqueness of the area, changing
Corps wetlands restoration policies and sponsorship, the planning
investigation has shifted from its original focus on flood control to
its present purpose of habitat restoration.
Sedimentation from tributary streams, and an altered hydrologic
regime are destroying one of the most impressive wetland areas in the
Cache River--the Lower Cache River Swamp National Natural Landmark
area. Heron Pond Little Black Slough National Natural Landmark area is
threatened by drainage induced by entrenchment of the Post Creek/Upper
Cache River channel.
Prior Corps of Engineers projects have contributed at least
partially to these problems: flood water recharge of the Lower Cache
River wetlands has been reduced as a result of Upper Cache River and
Ohio River flows being deflected away from the Lower Cache via the
Corps constructed Cache River and Reevesville Levees. The Cache River
levee has contributed to the entrenchment process by ensuring that
major flood flows from the Upper Cache River and Main Ditch area are
directed down the Post-Creek Cutoff channel. The Cache River levee
culverts have contributed to reverse flowage during high and low water
stages on the Lower Cache. During higher tributary stages, sediment-
laden waters are carried into Lower Cache River Swamp, and during dry
periods (due to the low culvert inserts), the swamp is excessively
drained. The Corps' Cache River diversion outlet and levee has diverted
flows away from the lowermost 7 miles of Old Cache River channel.
Unless these problems are controlled through sound environmental
engineering, the landmark areas will be lost. Solutions to these
problems will require a thorough understanding of the complex hydrology
of the Cache River basin. The Corps has an opportunity to provide the
highly specialized hydrological engineering expertise needed for such
an effort. The Corps is also in a unique position to provide the
implementation capabilities for installing needed structural solutions.
3. Potential habitat restoration measures include: Big Creek and
Cypress Creek floodplain restoration; sediment retention dams in the
uplands of Big Creek and Cypress Creek; selective sediment removal from
Lower Cache River Swamp; diverting flow from the Upper Cache towards
Lower Cache River Swamp; Lower Cache River Swamp water control
structures; and rock weirs placement in Post Creek and the Upper Cache
River.
4. Scoping process includes the Nov 1996 Phase 2 Public Workshop &
Written Comments period.
5. Draft EIS will be made available to the public in 1998.
Thomas J. Hodgini,
COL, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 96-31409 Filed 12-11-96; 8:45 am]
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