[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36038-36039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17411]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers
Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for the Baltimore Metropolitan Water Resources Study-Gwynns Falls in
Baltimore County, Maryland
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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[[Page 36039]]
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), the Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is
initiating the Baltimore Metropolitan Water Resources Feasibility Study
for the Gwynns Falls sub-basin of the Patapsco River watershed. The
riparian and aquatic environmental integrity of the Gwynns Falls sub-
basin has been severely degraded by urbanization, inadequate
infrastructure and industrial encroachment. Potential environmental
restoration of streambanks, wetlands and forest buffers could restore
and/or create up to 150 acres of riparian and aquatic habitat, in
addition to improving water quality, low base flows, stream channel
erosion, and sedimentation. A DEIS will be integrated into the
feasibility study to document existing conditions, projects actions,
and project effects and products. Baltimore County, Baltimore City and
the State of Maryland's Department of the Environment (MDE) are the
non-Federal sponsors for the project.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and DEIS can be addressed to Mr. Richard Starr, Study Manager,
Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENAB-PL-RP,
P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, telephone (410) 962-
4633. E-mail address: richard.r.starr@ccmail.nab.usace.army.mil
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. The U.S. House of Representatives,
Committee on Public Works and Transportation, authorized the Baltimore
Metropolitan Water Resources Study-Gwynns Falls in a resolution adopted
April 30, 1992.
2. The study area is located in northern Maryland. The area
proposed for environmental restoration is known as the Gwynns Falls
watershed and is located in highly developed portions of Baltimore
County and Baltimore City. The most significant problem in the Gwynns
Falls watershed is the instability of the steam channels and the loss
of aquatic habitat. Due to the extensive urbanization along the narrow
corridor between the Chesapeake Bay and the Fall Line within a short
period of time, environmental resources and aquatic habitats have
become degraded. This excessive degradation includes: flashy stormwater
flows that cause streambank erosion and sedimentation, residential and
industrial encroachment has limited riparian habitat and wetlands, and
polluted runoff has contributed to poor water quality. These factors
negatively impact the aquatic environment in the present and the
future.
3. An ecosystem framework has been developed to restore the habitat
and environmental integrity of Gwynns Falls. It allows potential
restoration projects to be identified, evaluated, and selected on a
watershed basis. Study goals and characterizations will be made of the
broad Gwynns Falls watershed. Sub-basins, or hydrologic unit areas
(HUAs), will then be identified, delineated and prioritized within the
broad watershed. Based on the study objectives, high priority HUAs will
be further characterized and problem statements for these areas will be
developed. Upon the identification and characterization of the high
priority HUAs, specific problem areas within them will be identified
and prioritized. Preliminary conceptual restoration measures which
could address the problem areas within Gwynns Falls, developing
ecosystem based alternative plans for the high priority HUAs, and
incrementally analyzing each alternative will follow. The final
evaluation will focus on which combination of problem area restoration
solutions provide the most environmental benefits, at the least cost,
for a HUA ecosystem.
4. This proposed HUA restoration plan would potentially include
stormwater detention measures, such as the restoration of floodplains,
creation of wetlands, and conversion of existing stormwater facilities.
Habitat structures would also be installed to restore aquatic habitat
and provide added cover for spawning. Stream restoration would include
stabilization techniques, such as rootwads, plantings and geotubes.
Where feasible, fish blockages would be removed to allow for
residential and migratory passage. In the Middle Branch tidal area,
alternatives to create islands and restore a vegetative wetland buffer
around the Harbor area will be investigated.
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. That decision will reflect the national concern for
both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit
which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal will be
balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. The Baltimore
District is preparing a DEIS which will describe the impacts of the
proposed projects on environmental and cultural resources in the study
area and the overall public interest. The DEIS will be in accordance
with NEPA and will document all factors which 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 Environmental Protection Agency, under
the authority of Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (Pub.
L. 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, radio and television announcements.
7. In addition to the Corps, the Maryland Department of the
Environment, Baltimore County and Baltimore City, other participants
that will be involved in the study and DEIS process include, but are
not limited to 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 the U.S. National
Park Service. 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 July 1998.
Harold L. Nelson,
Assistant Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 96-17411 Filed 7-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-41-M
