[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8169-8170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4000]
[[Page 8169]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for the Whitney Point Lake Reallocation, Susquehanna River Basin Water
Management Feasibility Study and Integrated Environmental Impact
Statement
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 Whitney Point Lake Reallocation, Susquehanna River Basin
Water Management Feasibility Study and Integrated Environmental Impact
Statement. The purpose of the study is to develop a low flow
augmentation plan for the Eastern New York sub-basin (below Whitney
Point Lake) in Broome, Cortland, and Tioga Counties, New York. This
study will determine the feasibility of reallocating reservoir storage
at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Whitney Point Lake for the purpose
of aquatic habitat restoration. Specifically, the study will evaluate
the aquatic habitat benefits to stream reaches below the reservoir as a
result of various low flow augmentation releases. The feasibility study
will involve the collection of existing conditions data; identification
of problems, needs and opportunities; development and evaluation of
plan alternatives; documentation of potential effects; comparison of
plan alternatives; and selection of a recommended plan for
implementation that is environmentally, economically, and engineeringly
sound.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action and DEIS can be addressed to Mr.
Richard R. Starr, Study Team Leader, Baltimore District, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENAB-PL-P, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore,
Maryland 21203-1715, telephone (410) 962-4633. E-mail address:
richard.r.starr@nab02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. The Whitney Point Lake Reallocation Study was authorized in
Section 721(a) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986.
2. The study area is located in the Eastern New York sub-basin and
is the headwaters to the Susquehanna River. The study will focus on the
area around the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Whitney Point Lake and
approximately 60 miles downstream to Waverly, New York, along the
Otselic, Tioughnioga, Chennago, and Susquehanna Rivers. The study area
has experienced continued impacts to aquatic habitat during low flow
periods. Specifically, the physical aquatic habitat within the study
area's riverine channels fluctuates throughout the river from deep,
free flowing conditions during high and normal flow periods, to much
shallower, restricted conditions during low-flow conditions or times of
dewatering. It is the dewatered habitats, specifically riffles and back
water areas, for which this study will be addressing. Aquatic habitat,
under extended periods of these conditions, have been stressed, and
established benthic and other small fish species populations have been
impacted. Consequently, this condition has resulted in an impact on
other riverine species populations higher in the food chain. In
addition, riverine water quality problems have been exacerbated by low-
flow conditions, further stressing the fishery resource.
3. In July 1997, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore
District and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) executed a
feasibility cost-sharing agreement for the Whitney Point Lake
Reallocation, Susquehanna River Basin Water Management Feasibility
Study. The planning goals of this study are to restore and protect
water flows that can support healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems
and to promote environmental awareness and values necessary for the
continual restoration of a stressed ecosystem. To achieve these goals
the Corps and SRBC will: (1) conduct hydraulic, hydrologic, economic,
cultural, and environmental analyses of the study area; (2) identify
low flow conditions and available water storage in Whitney Point Lake;
(3) select a range of low flow conditions that can be enhanced by the
available reservoir storage; (4) prioritize low flow release scenarios
for each reallocation alternative; (5) evaluate low flow augmentation
release scenarios for each reallocation alternative; (6) identify which
low flow release scenario, for each reallocation alternative, that has
the greatest potential for increased habitat benefits; (7) conduct
trade-off analysis; and (8) select the recommended plan. Three products
will be produced upon completion of this study: (1) a feasibility
report with an integrated environmental impact statement; (2) 65-
percent complete designs; and (3) a Instream Flow Incremental
Methodology model.
4. The feasibility study is in line with the Susquehanna River
Basin Commission's ultimate goal of developing a Susquehanna River
basinwide water management plan under the ``pooled water'' concept. The
``pooled water'' concept is based on the development of a reservoir
water release system with water storage located in various reservoirs
throughout the entire Susquehanna basin. The intent is to release small
amounts of water from more than one reservoir to meet water use needs
(environmental and human) while minimizing potential impact to
reservoir resources. As each individual sub-basin water management plan
is developed and implemented, the management plan becomes more
effective in meeting basinwide water use needs.
5. The decision to implement these actions will be based on an
evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activities on the
public. That decision will reflect 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 a DEIS that will describe the impacts of the proposed
reallocation on environmental and cultural resources in the study area
and the overall interest's of the public. The DEIS 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 values, fish and wildlife values, flood
hazards, floodplain values, land use, recreation, water supply and
conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, and the general
needs and welfare of the people. If applicable, the DEIS will also
apply guidelines issued by the U.S. 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 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 of Engineers and the Susquehanna River
[[Page 8170]]
Basin Commission, other participants that will be involved in the study
and DEIS process includes the following: U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Forest Service; U.S.
Geological Survey; Natural Resource Conservation Service; and New York
Department of Environmental Conservation. The Baltimore District
invites potentially affected Federal, state, and local agencies, and
other organizations and entities to participate in this study.
8. The DEIS is tentatively scheduled to be available for public
review in April of 2000.
Dr. James F. Johnson,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 98-4000 Filed 2-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-41-M
