[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4784]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers

 

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Arroyo Pasajero Investigation, California

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The action being taken is a feasibility investigation to 
identify and assess potential measures to provide additional flood 
protection for the study area including the cities of Coalinga and 
Huron, Lemoore Naval Air Station, surrounding agricultural land, and 
the California Aqueduct, and to prevent sediment and water contaminated 
with asbestos from entering the aqueduct. The feasibility investigation 
area includes the Arroyo Pasajero basin in southwest Fresno County. 
Measures to be investigated include enlarging the retention basin west 
of the aqueduct, constructing an overchute structure, upstream 
reservoirs, conducting local levee and channel work, and implementing 
an asbestos hazard abatement treatment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding this DEIS should 
be addressed to Mr. Robert Koenigs, Planning Division, Corps of 
Engineers, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, California, 95814-2922, telephone 
(916) 557-6712.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Action

    The Corps of Engineers, and a non-Federal sponsor (California State 
Department of Water Resources) are conducting a feasibility 
investigation to identify and assess alternative measures for providing 
additional flood protection to the cities of Coalinga and Huron, to 
Lemoore Naval Air Station, to the California Aqueduct, and to 
agricultural lands, and for preventing sediment and water contaminated 
with asbestos from entering the aqueduct. In 1958 and 1969 major 
flooding occurred in the area causing over $5 million in property loss.

Alternatives

    The feasibility report and EIS will address the full range of 
alternatives discussed in the 1992 reconnaissance report on the basin 
including evaluation of plans to:
    (1) Enlarge the retention basin west of the California Aqueduct.
    (2) Provide an overchute structure over the aqueduct or an aqueduct 
canal siphon and provide a retention basin on the east side of the 
aqueduct.
    (3) Construct a channel from the aqueduct and/or the retention 
basin to a natural channel at the valley trough. Also included will be 
an evaluation of upstream reservoirs, local levees and channel work, 
the potential for groundwater injection, potential water treatment 
methods to permit Arroyo Pasajero runoff into the aqueduct, special 
asbestos hazard abatement treatment for construction, operation and 
maintenance requirements for any constructed facilities, and 
environmental mitigation and restoration. The No-Action alternative 
will also be explored during the study.

Scoping Process

    a. A notice of initiation for the Arroyo Pasajero Investigation 
will be sent to public agencies, organizations, and individuals in the 
study area. This notice will invite those parties to participate in the 
scoping process for this investigation. This will include an 
opportunity for the public to identify the significant flood control 
problems, potential solutions, and resources within the study area 
which may be affected by a project. Responses to the notice, will be 
used in determining the scope of the feasibility report and 
accompanying environmental impact statement.
    b. Significant topics that will be discussed in the DEIS include 
the hydrology of the basin; planning objectives; alternatives analysis; 
impacts on fish and wildlife resources, endangered species, vegetation, 
water quality, air quality, esthetics, cultural resources, and 
cumulative impacts of related projects in the study area. The potential 
for contamination of air and water resources by naturally occurring 
asbestos will also be addressed.
    c. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide a Fish and 
Wildlife Coordination Act Report to accompany the DEIS.
    d. A 45-day review period will be allowed for all interested 
agencies and individuals to review and comment on the DEIS. A public 
hearing will be held during the comment period. All interested persons 
are encouraged to respond to this notice and to provide scoping 
comments and a current address if they wish to be contacted about the 
DEIS.

Public Meeting

    A public scoping meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, 
1994 at 7 p.m. in the Coalinga area to initiate coordination with local 
governmental representatives, elected officials, State and Federal 
agencies, special interest groups, and the general public.

Availability

    The DEIS is scheduled to be available for public review and comment 
in mid 1997.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Alternative Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-4784 Filed 3-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M