Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the American River Common Features Project, American River Erosion Protection and Arden Pond Mitigation Components (Sacramento County, California), as Authorized Under the Water Resources Development Act of 2016
| Published date | 31 July 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 46074 |
| Record Number | 2020-16598 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Army, Army Corps Of Engineers Department,Defense Department |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 148 (Friday, July 31, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 148 (Friday, July 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46074-46075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16598]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the American River
Common Features Project, American River Erosion Protection and Arden
Pond Mitigation Components (Sacramento County, California), as
Authorized Under the Water Resources Development Act of 2016
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Sacramento District,
the State of California, and Central Valley Flood Protection Board
(CVFPB) are preparing a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR) for
the American River Contract 2 (Proposed Action) of the American River
Common Features (ARCF) Levee Improvement Project authorized by the
Water Resources Development Act of 2016. This Draft Supplemental EIS/
EIR supplements the ARCF General Reevaluation Report (GRR) Final EIS/
EIR (May 2016). The Proposed Action includes constructing erosion
protection measures at Lower American River (LAR) sites 2-2 (river mile
7.5 right bank), and 2-3 (river mile 5.9 right bank), transporting
excavated materials from site 2-3 to the Arden Pond mitigation site for
construction of shallow water fish habitat for juvenile salmon,
construction of a berm to separate the restored Arden Pond from the
adjacent bass pond, and planting of emergent and riparian vegetation to
provide Shaded Riverine Aquatic (SRA) habitat. The Proposed Action is
necessary to protect the levee from erosion damage that could reduce
its reliability to protect against flooding, and to mitigate loss of
fish and riparian habitat for the American River Common Features
Project Endangered Species Act consultation requirements. Conceptual
components of the Proposed Action were analyzed (erosion protection
measures) in the ARCF GRR Final EIS/EIR, but some elements of the
Proposed Action (Arden Pond and SRA habitat mitigation) were not
analyzed in the ARCF GRR Final EIS/EIR because habitat mitigation
locations and designs were still in formulation at the time the Final
EIS/EIR was completed. The USACE has now developed levee erosion
protection and habitat mitigation designs in sufficient detail to
analyze their environmental effects.
DATES: Written comments regarding the scope of the environmental
analysis should be received by August 31, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and suggestions concerning this Project and
requests to be included on the Project mailing list may be submitted to
Ms. Andrea Meier, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District,
Attn: Planning Division (CESPK-PDR), 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA
95814.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the Proposed Action
and draft Supplemental EIS/EIR may be addressed to Ms. Andrea Meier at
(916) 557-7206, email at [email protected], or by mail at
1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (see ADDRESS). Additional
information will also be posted periodically on the internet under the
American River Contract 2 web page at: www.sacleveeupgrades.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action. The USACE is preparing a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)/Supplemental Environmental Impact
Report (SEIR) to analyze environmental impacts of the authorized
erosion protection and habitat mitigation components of the larger ARCF
2016 levee improvement project. The Proposed Action includes
constructing erosion countermeasures at LAR sites 2-2 and 2-3,
transporting excavated materials from site 2-3 to Arden Pond, and
construction of the Arden Pond mitigation site. Bench excavation at LAR
site 2-3 would provide fill material for the 18-acre Arden Pond
mitigation site and fill material to construct a berm to separate the
mitigation area from the remaining 8.3-acre bass pond. The project will
be implemented as American River Contract 2.
2. Alternatives. Alternatives that may be considered include: (1)
Construction of erosion protection measures at LAR site 2-2 and
excavation of the bench at LAR 2-3; (2) habitat restoration at Arden
Pond; and (3) the required No Action Alternative.
3. Scoping Process.
a. A public scoping meeting will be held in the form of a
teleconference and/or webinar to present an overview of the American
River Erosion Protection and Arden Pond Mitigation Projects, the
Proposed Action and the alternatives that have been identified, and the
Supplemental EIS/EIR process. Scoping will afford all interested
parties an opportunity to comment on the scope of analysis in the draft
document. The public scoping webinar will be held in August 2020. Exact
date, time, registration details, additional information, and any
schedule changes will be announced online at: www.sacleveeupgrades.com.
b. Potentially significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the
Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR include: Impacts to water quality, air
quality, climate change, special status species, terrestrial vegetation
and wildlife, recreation, traffic and circulation, noise, aesthetic and
visual resources, and cultural resources. The document will also
evaluate the Proposed Action's anticipated cumulative effects.
c. The USACE will consult with the National Marine Fisheries
Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to comply with the
Endangered Species Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. The
USACE will also consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer
and Native American Tribes to comply with the National Historic
Preservation Act.
d. A 45-day public review period will be provided for individuals,
interested parties, and agencies to review and comment on the Draft
Supplemental EIS/EIR. All interested parties are encouraged to respond
to this notice and provide a current address if they
[[Page 46075]]
wish to be notified of the Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR circulation.
4. Availability. The Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR is scheduled to be
available for public review and comment during winter 2020-2021.
Paul E. Owen,
Brigadier General, U.S. Army Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2020-16598 Filed 7-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
