[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 42679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20197]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers; Department of the Army
Notice of Intent and Notice of Preparation for an Environmental
Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for a Proposed
Ecosystem Restoration of Middle Creek in Lake County, CA
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Sacramento District
(Federal); California Department of Water Resources, Division of Flood
Management (State); Lake County, California (local).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The objectives of this project are to restore wetland habitat
and enhance wildlife and fish habitat. Secondary objectives include
preserving existing resources, improving lake water quality, enhancing
recreation and tourism, reducing flood risk, and reducing maintenance
cost and responsibility for Middle Creek along Rodman Slough. The
intent of this project is to restore the ecosystem functions of a
historic wetland at the mouth of Middle Creek.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and EIS/EIR can be answered by Jerry Fuentes at (916) 557-6706 or by
mail at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, ATTN: CESPK-
PD-R, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, California 95814-2922.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action
The Corps, in cooperation with the state (California Department of
Water Resources and the local sponsor (Lake County), is conducting a
feasibility investigation on the ecosystem restoration measures
identified during the reconnaissance phase and described in the Middle
Creek Ecosystem Restoration Study dated May, 1997. This ecosystem
restoration investigation proposes to restore the wetland ecosystem
functions associated with the historical wetland that existed at the
mouth of Middle Creek.
2. Alternatives
The feasibility report will address an array of alternatives.
Alternatives analyzed during the feasibility investigation will be a
combination of one or more ecosystem restoration measures identified
during the reconnaissance phase; additional measures may be considered.
These alternative measures include expanding the natural floodplain,
restoring open water and marsh habitat, restoring seasonal wetland and
riparian habitat, enhancing upland habitat, plant marsh and riparian
vegetation, planting marsh and riparian vegetation, excavating sloughs,
channels, ponds, expanding lake shoreline and shallow aquatic habitat,
and reducing height of levees no longer used for flood control.
a. No Action. There will be no ecosystem restoration measures
implemented for Middle Creek, Lake County.
b. Expand the Natural Floodplain.
c. Restore Robinson Lake from Bloody Island to Clear Lake.
d. Restore Robinson Lake from Reclamation Road to Clear Lake.
3. Scoping Process
a. The project study plan provides for public scoping meeting and
comment. The Corps has initiated a process of involving concerned
individuals, local, state, and Federal agencies.
b. Significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the EIS/EIR
include appropriate levels of the flood damaged reduction, adverse
affects on vegetation and wildlife resources, special-status species,
esthetics, cultural resources, recreation, and cumulative impacts of
related projects in the study area.
c. The Corps will consult with the State Historic Preservation
Officer and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide a Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act Report an as appendix to the EIS/EIS.
d. A 45-day public review period will be provided for individuals
and agencies to review and comment on the EIS/EIR. All interested
parties should respond to this notice and provide a current address if
they wish to be notified of the EIS/EIR circulation.
4. Public Meetings
The first of a series of public scoping meetings will be held on
August 12, 1999, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Robinson Rancheria,
Tribal Community Hall, 1545 East Highway 20, Upper Lake, California.
5. Availability
The EIS/EIR is scheduled to be available for public review and
comment late in calendar year 2001.
Dated: July 29, 1999.
Michael J. Walsh,
COL, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 99-20197 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-EZ-M
