Environmental statements; notice of intent: Rio de Flag Area, Flagstaff, AZ,

[Federal Register: February 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 23)]

[Notices]

[Page 5790]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04fe98-44]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army Corps of Engineers

Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Rio de Flag Area; Flagstaff, AZ Feasibility Study; City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Arizona

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District intends to prepare an EIS to support the proposed study for flood control and environmental restoration, in the Flagstaff area. The study area is a riparian corridor traversing a mostly urban environment, extending approximately twelve (12) miles along the Rio de Flag (river), between U.S. Highway 180 on the north and west; and the Interstate 40 (I-40) bridge on the southeast. The lower segments of Sinclair Wash and Clay Avenue Wash near their convergence with the Rio de Flag area also included.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact the Environmental Coordinator, Mr. David Compas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angles District, Attn: CESPL-PD-RN, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles CA 90053 at 213-452-3850.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will sponsor a scoping meeting to solicit public input on 27 February 1998 at the City of Flagstaff offices, at 211 West Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff. Two sessions will be held from 1 to 3 PM and from 5 to 7 PM, both sessions will cover the same topics. This scoping will be held prior to preparing the Environmental Impact Statement to solicit public input on the significant environmental issues associated with the proposed action. The public, as well as Federal, State, and local agencies are encouraged to participate in the scoping process by attending the Scoping Meeting and/or submitting data, information, and comments identifying relevant environmental and socioeconomic issues to be addressed in the environmental analysis. Useful information includes other environmental studies, published and unpublished data, alternatives that should be addressed in the analysis, and potential mitigation measures associated with the proposed action.

Individuals and agencies may offer information or data relevant to the proposed study by attending the public scoping meeting, or by mailing the information to Mr. David Compas at the address below prior to March 23, 1998. Comments, suggestions, and requests to be placed on the mailing list for announcements and for the Draft EIS, should be sent to: Mr. David Compas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Attn: CESPL-PD-RN, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Comments will also be accepted via E-mail at: dcompas@spl.usace.army.mil

Alternatives

A full array of alternatives will be developed for further analyses. The proposed plan, viable project alternatives, and the ``no action'' plan will be carried forward for detailed analysis in the document. Conceptual alternatives will likely consist of: utilizing the present channel with modifications; utilizing the ``historic'' channel for a portion of the flow; splitting of northern flows from the southern flows; and/or diversion of flows to Walnut Canyon. Channel alternatives will likely consist of: a combination of open channels; covered channels; and/or greenbelt channels. Recreation alternatives will likely consist of: bike/walking trails; picnic tables; nature viewing areas; and/or a fitness course. Environmental alternatives will likely consist of: wetlands restoration; flora enhancement; and/or riparian enhancement.

Availability of the Draft EIS

The Draft EIS is expected to be published and circulated for public review in August 1999. Gregory D. Showalter, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-2709Filed2-3-98; 8:45 am]

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