[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26982]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 1, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

 

Public Notice for the Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project, 
Luzerne County, PA; Phase II General Design Memorandum

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, DOD.

ACTION: Public notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Baltimore District, is conducting public coordination 
regarding the proposed Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project, Luzerne 
County, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the levee raising project is to 
modify the existing four flood protection projects to provide 
protection against a reoccurrence of a flood equal to that caused by 
Tropical Storm Agnes in June 1972. The proposed project consists of the 
raising of levees and floodwalls an average of 3 to 5 feet, appurtenant 
features, and structural and non-structural mitigation measures for 
adverse increased flood impacts. The project was authorized under 
Section 401(a) of the 1986 Water Resources Development Act. Luzerne 
County will be the non-Federal sponsor of this project.

DATES: Comments must be received not later than December 16, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, 
CENAB-PL-EC, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mr. Richard R. Starr, (410) 962-4633.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers has prepared a Phase II General Design Memorandum (GDM) which 
has evaluated an increased level of protection for the existing flood 
protection systems along the Susquehanna River in the Wyoming Valley of 
Luzerne County in the vicinity of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 
Additionally, the study evaluated increased flooding due to the 
proposed project and alternative solutions for this problem in areas 
upstream and downstream in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Columbia, Montour, 
Northumberland, and Snyder Counties. A Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement (SEIS) has been prepared as part of the Phase II GDM 
to document changes in the project actions, existing conditions and 
project effects which were described in the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) prepared for the Phase I GDM in 1981.
    The decision to implement these actions will be based on an 
evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activities on the 
public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for 
both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit 
which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal will be 
balanced against its reasonably for foreseeable detriments. All factors 
which may be relevant to the proposal, including the cumulative effects 
thereof, will be considered; among these factors are conservation, 
economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, 
cultural values, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, flood plain 
values, land use, recreation, water supply and conservation, water 
quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, and the 
general needs and welfare of the people.
    Initial evaluation of the levee raising project indicates that the 
overall quality of the study area will be maintained with exception to 
some social impacts caused by the increased flooding; environmental 
impacts to a 0.38 acre river fringe emergent wetland; and cultural 
impacts to one archeological site and two architectural structures. 
Mitigation plans have been developed for all of these impacts. The 
evaluation of the potential effects of the proposed projects has 
included: Cultural resources; hazardous, toxic and radioactive waste; 
terrestrial resources; aquatic resources; wetlands; threatened and 
endangered species; aesthetics; recreation, and the general needs and 
welfare of the public. Only minor impacts to aquatic resources are 
expected to occur as a result of limited fill activities in waters of 
the United States. No significant adverse impacts are expected to 
occur, other than the ones mentioned above, to cultural resources, 
wetlands, terrestrial habitat areas or listed species or their critical 
habitat pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
    An evaluation of the proposed actions on waters of the United 
States was performed pursuant to the guidelines promulgated by the 
Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the 
authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Section 404(b)(1) 
evaluations and other preliminary analyses indicate that the proposed 
project will result in no significant adverse impacts to the aquatic 
ecosystem, recreation, aesthetics, flood protection or economic values 
of the waterways. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, 
has requested a Section 401 water quality certification from the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the levee raising project. Any comment 
relating to water quality concerns should be forwarded to the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Dams, Waterways and Wetlands, 
North Central Office, 200 Pine Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania 
17701, within 30 days of receipt of this notice.
    In accordance with 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 in order to 
consider and evaluate the impacts. Any comments received will be 
considered by the Corps of Engineers in the decision to implement the 
proposed project. To make this decision, comments are used to assess 
impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, 
general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors 
listed above. Comments regarding the levee raising project will be 
incorporated in the SEIS pursuant to NEPA. Comments are also used to 
determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall 
public interest of the proposed activity. This public notice is being 
sent to organizations and individuals known to have an interest in the 
project. Please bring this notice to the attention of any other 
individuals with an interest in this matter.
    Any person who has an interest in the project may make comments 
and/or request a public hearing. Comments must clearly set forth the 
interest which may be adversely affected by this activity and the 
manner in which the interest may be adversely affected. Written 
comments and requests must be submitted within 45 days of the date of 
this notice in the Federal Register.
Kenneth L. Denton,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-26982 Filed 10-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-41-M