[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 116 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14761]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 17, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for
the Proposed Anacostia River and Tributaries, District of Columbia and
Maryland Feasibility Study
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, DOD.
ACTION: Extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: this Notice of Availability previously published in the
Federal Register on May 6, 1994 (59 FR 23710) is being republished to
extend the comment period from June 5, 1994 to 27 June 1994, and to
correct a number of typographical errors. The Baltimore District of
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers investigated the feasibility of
construction of fish and wildlife restoration measures in the Anacostia
River basin. The District Engineer recommends the restoration of 80
acres of wetlands, 5 miles of streams and 33 acres of bottomland
habitat. The feasibility study of the potential restoration actions was
conducted under authority of a U.S. House of Representatives Committee
on Public Works and Transportation resolution adopted September 8,
1988. The non-Federal sponsors for the feasibility phase of the project
are: Montgomery County, Prince George's County, the District of
Columbia, the State of Maryland, the Interstate Commission on the
Potomac River Basin, and the Metropolitan Washington Counsel of
Governments.
DATES: Comments must be received not later than 27 June 1994.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Colonel J. Richard Capka, District
Engineer, P.O. Box 1715, Attn: CENAB-PL-PR, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-
1715.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Mark McKevitt, Study Manager, (401) 962-2650.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. The U.S. House of Representatives,
Committee on Public Works and Transportation, authorized the Anacostia
River and Tributaries study in a re solution adopted on September 8,
1988. The resolution requested the Corps of Engineers to determine if
further improvements for flood control, navigation, erosion,
sedimentation, water quality and other related water resources needs
are advisable on the Anacostia River and tributaries.
2. The Anacostia River basin is a 170-square mile sub-basin of the
Potomac River. Headwaters of the Anacostia River are in the piedmont
and coastal plain areas of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties,
Maryland and it joins with the Potomac River in the District of
Columbia. The entire river system is freshwater; although, the tidal
influence extends for approximately 9 miles above the confluence with
the Potomac River.
3. The Corps of Engineers involvement in the basin dates back more
than 115 years and includes projects and programs for navigation, flood
control, debris removal and aquatic vegetation control. These Federal
actions have served their intended purposes well and have benefited the
area in terms of improved navigation and reduced flood damages.
However, from 1902 through the 1960s, project construction eliminated
approximately 2,600 acres of wetlands, 99,000 linear feet of aquatic
habitat and 700 acres of bottomland hardwoods. These ecosystems
performed numerous beneficial ecological functions for the Anacostia
basin and the associated Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. One of the
primary functions of these ecosystems is fish and wildlife habitat.
Historically, the Anacostia River basin contained a diverse assemblage
of fish and wildlife species. However, populations of many species have
sharply declined due to the habitat loss and degradation in the
Anacostia basin.
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Site Action Target stream Location
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Wetland Restoration
Kingman Lake.................... WR Anacostia River............ Washington, DC.
River Fringe Wetlands........... WR Anacostia River............ Washington, DC.
Fordham Street Wetland.......... WR Northwest Branch........... Prince George's Co.
Aquatic Restoration
NW Branch-PG Co................. SR Northwest Branch........... Prince George's Co.
Tanglewood Retrofit............. WR/SM/SR Little Paint Branch........ Montgomery Co.
Snowden's Mill I................ WR/SM/SR Paint Branch............... Montgomery Co.
Snowden's Mill II............... WR/SM/SR Paint Branch............... Montgomery Co.
Stewart/April Lane.............. WR/SM/SR Paint Branch............... Montgomery Co.
Lockridge Drive................. WR/SM/SR Nothwest Branch............ Montgomery Co.
Gum Springs..................... SR Gum Springs................ Montgomery Co.
Sligo Creek..................... SR Sligo Creek................ Montgomery Co.
NW Branch-Mont. Co. Paint Branch SR Paint Branch............... Montgomery Co.
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*WR--WetlandRestoration;SM--Stormwater Management; SR--Stream Restoration.
5. The Baltimore District has prepared a DEIS which describes the
impacts of the proposed projects on environmental and cultural
resources in the study area and the overall public interest. The DEIS
also apply guidelines issued by the Environmental Protection Agency,
under authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-
217). An evaluation of the proposed actions on the waters of the United
States was performed pursuant to the guidelines of the Administrator,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under authority of Section 404 of
the Clean Water Act. The Section 404(b)(1) evaluations show that the
proposed actions meet all guidelines under the Clean Water Act, and an
exemption under Section 404(r) of Public Law 92-500, as amended is
therefore requested.
6. The public involvement included meetings and close coordination
with interested private individuals and organizations, as well as
concerned Federal, state and local agencies. A public notice requesting
comments on the proposed project and DS IS being provided to
appropriate agencies and the public through printed media and mailings.
The Baltimore District invites potentially affected Federal, state and
local agencies, and other interested organizations and parties to
comment on the study recommendations. Agencies that are currently
involved in the feasibility study and EIS process include, but are not
limited to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Geological
Service, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, National Park Service,
National Capital Planning Commission, Montgomery County Department of
Environmental Protection, Prince George's County Department of
Environmental Resources, District of Columbia Department of Consumer
and Regulatory Affairs and Department of Public Works, Maryland
Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Department of the
Environment, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission,
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, and the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments.
7. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
and the Clean Water Act, the Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments
from the public, Federal, state and local agencies and officials, and
other interested parties. Any comments received will be considered by
the Corps of Engineers in the decision to implement the projects. To
make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered
species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental
effects, and other interest factors listed above. Comments are also
used to determine the overall public interest and the need for a public
hearing on the proposed activities. This public notice is being sent to
organizations and individuals known to have an interest in the
restoration of the Anacostia River basin. Please bring this notice to
the attention of any other individuals with an interest in this matter.
8. Any person who has an interest in the proposed projects may make
comments and/or request a public hearing. Comments must clearly set
forth the interest which may be adversely affected by these activities
and the manner is which the interest may be adversely affected. Copies
of the DEIS are available upon request. Written comments must be
submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the notice in the
Federal Register.
Kenneth L. Denton,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-14761 Filed 6-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M