[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 87 (Friday, May 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10911]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 6, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers
Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for
the Proposed Anacostia River and Tributaries, District of Columbia and
Maryland Feasibility Study
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Baltimore District of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
investigated the feasibility of construction of fish and wildlife
restoration measures in the Anacostia River basin. The District
Engineer recommends the restoration of 80 acres of wetlands, t miles of
streams and 33 acres of bottomland habitat. The feasibility study of
the potential restoration actions was conducted under authority of a
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and
Transportation resolution adopted September 8, 1988. The non-Federal
sponsors for the feasibility phase of the project are: Montgomery
County, Prince Georges County, the District of Columbia, the State of
Maryland, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, and the
Metropolitan Washington Counsel of Governments.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted by June 5, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Colonel J. Richard Capa, District
Engineer, P.O. Box 1715, Attn: CENAB-PL-PR, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-
1715.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Marak McKevitt, Study Manager, (410) 962-2650.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. The U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Public Works and
Transportation, authorized the Anacostia River and Tributaries study in
a resolution adopted on September 8, 1988. The resolution requested the
Corps of Engineers to determine if further improvements for flood
control, navigation, erosion, sedimentation, water quality and other
related water resources needs are advisable on the Anacostia River and
Tributaries.
2. The Anacostia River basin is a 170-square-mile sub-basin of the
Potomac River. Headwaters of the Anacostia River are in the Piedmont
and coastal plain areas of Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties,
Maryland and it joins with the Potomac River in the District of
Columbia. The entire river system is freshwater; although, the total
tidal influence extends for approximately 9 miles above the confluence
with the Potomac River.
3. The Corps of Engineers involvement in the basin dates back more
than 115 years and includes projects and programs for navigation, flood
control, debris removal and aquatic vegatation control. These Federal
actions have served their intended purposes well and have benefited the
area in terms of improved navigation and reduced flood damage. However,
from 1902 through the 1960s, project construction eliminated
approximately 2,600 acres of wetlands, 99,000 linear feet of aquatic
habitat and 700 acres of bottomland hardwoods. These ecosystems
performed numerous beneficial ecological functions for the Anacostia
basin and the associated Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. One of the
primary functions of these ecosystems is fish and wildlife habitat.
Historically, the Anacostia River basin contained a diverse assemblage
of fish and wildlife species. However, populations of many species have
sharply declined due to the habitat loss and degradation in the
Anacostia basin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site Action Target stream Location
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wetland Restoration
Kingman Lake.................... WR Anacostia River.............. Washington, DC.
River Fringe Wetlands........... WR Anacostia River.............. Washington, DC.
Fordham Street Wetland.......... WR Northwest Branch............. Prince George's Co.
Aquatic Restoration
NW Branch-PG Co................. SR Northwest Branch............. Prince George's Co.
Tanglewood Retrofit............. WR/SM/SR Little Paint Branch.......... Montgomery Co.
Snowden's Mill I................ WR/SM/SR Paint Branch................. Montgomery Co.
Snowden's Mill II............... WR/SM/SR Paint Branch................. Montgomery Co.
Stewart/April Lane.............. WR/SM/SR Paint Branch................. Montgomery Co.
Lockridge Drive................. WR/SM/SR Northwest Branch............. Montgomery Co.
Gum Springs..................... SR Gum Springs.................. Montgomery Co.
Sligo Creek..................... SR Sligo Creek.................. Montgomery Co.
NW Branch-Mont. Co..............
Paint Branch.................... SR Paint Branch................. Montgomery Co.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*WR--Wetland Restoration.
SM--Stormwater Management.
SR--Stream Restoration.
5. The Baltimore District has prepared a DEIS which describes the
impacts of the proposed projects on environmental and cultural
resources in the study area and the overall public interest. The DEIS
also apply guidelines issued by the Environmental Protection Agency,
under authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (Pub. L.
95-217). An evaluation of the proposed actions on the waters of the
United States was performed pursuant to the guidelines of the
Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under authority of
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Section 404(b)(1) evaluations
show that the proposed actions meet all guidelines under the Clean
Water Act, and an exemption under Section 404(r) of Public Law 92-500,
as amended is therefore requested.
6. The public involvement included meetings and close coordination
with interested private individuals and organizations, as well as
concerned Federal, state and local agencies. A public notice requesting
comments on the proposed project and DE is being provided to
appropriate agencies and the public through printed media and mailings.
The Baltimore District invites potentially affected Federal, state and
local agencies, and other interested organizations and parties to
comment on the study recommendations. Agencies that are currently
involved in the feasibility study and EIS process include, but are not
limited to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Geological
Service, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, National Park Service,
National Capital Planning Commission, Montgomery County Department of
Environmental Protection, Prince George's County Department of
Environmental Resources, District of Columbia Department of Consumer
and Regulatory Affairs and Department of Public Works, Maryland
Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Department of the
Environment, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission,
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, and the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments.
7. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
and the Clean Water Act, the Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments
from the public, Federal, state and local agencies and officials, and
other interested parties. Any comments received will be considered by
the Corps of Engineers in the decision to implement the projects. To
make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered
species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental
effects, and other interest factors listed above. Comments are also
used to determine the overall public interest and the need for a public
hearing on the proposed activities. This public notice is being sent to
organizations and individuals known to have an interest in the
restoration of the Anacostia River basin. Please bring this notice to
the attention of any other individuals with an interest in this matter.
8. Any person who has an interest in the proposed projects may make
comments and/or request a public hearing. Comments must clearly set
forth the interest which may be adversely affected by these activities
and the manner in which the interest may be adversely affected. Copies
of the DEIS are available upon request. Written comments must be
submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the notice in the
Federal Register.
Kenneth L. Denton,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-10911 Filed 5-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
