[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28586-28587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13377]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the Cedar River Section 205 Flood Control Project 
at Renton, King County, Washington

AGENCY: Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of 
Defense.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is 
proposing to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Section 205 Flood Control Study on the Cedar River, Renton, King 
County, Washington. This study was requested by the City of Renton 
because of significant flooding which has occurred in the area. An EIS 
is being prepared because of the potential for impacts on notable 
environmental amenities, particularly, resident and anadromous fish 
resources.

DATES: The Corps invites and encourages agencies and the public to 
provide written comments on the proposed EIS throughout the scoping 
process to ensure that all relevant environmental issues are 
considered. Persons or organizations wishing to submit scoping comments 
should do so not later than June 30, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS, questions about 
the EIS, requests for inclusion on the EIS mailing list and requests 
for copies of any documents associated with the draft EIS should be 
directed to: Cedar River 205 EIS, CENPS-EN-PL-ER, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, P.O. Box 3755, Seattle, Washington 98124-2255, ATTN: Merri 
Martz.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Cedar River drainage basin is located southeast of Seattle, 
Washington and lies entirely within the boundaries of King County. The 
upper portion of the Cedar River basin is within the City of Seattle's 
watershed and closed to public use. The mainstem portion is surrounded 
by rural farming and residential areas. The lower three miles of river 
run through the middle of the City of Renton. The Cedar River supports 
runs of sockeye, chinook and coho salmon and steelhead, and much of 
Lake Washington's smelt population.

Proposed Action

    The Corps and City of Renton propose to modify the lower one and 
one-quarter miles of the river channel to provide additional flood 
passage and storage. In 1912, a channel was dredged to connect 
[[Page 28587]] the Cedar River with Lake Washington at its present 
location. Formerly, the Cedar River drained via the Black River into 
Elliott Bay. The channel has been subject to infrequent dredging by the 
City of Renton for flood control over the subsequent years. The 
proposed action will provide a long-term modification to the channel to 
prevent sedimentation of the channel and provide increased flood 
conveyance.

Alternatives

    The Corps has identified four alternative courses of action for 
analysis:
    (1) No action. Allow the river channel to continue to evolve as it 
has been with increased sedimentation from upstream sources.
    (2) Construct a sediment retention trap and levees along the river 
banks from the Logan Street bridge to the river mouth.
    (3) Construct a sediment retention trap and dredge the existing 
channel to a uniform slope from Logan Street to the mouth.
    (4) Construct a sediment retention trap and widen the channel to 
250 feet from Logan Street to the river mouth. Additionally, dredge the 
channel to create a uniform slope from Logan Street to the mouth.
    Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 would need to have modifications made to 
the South Boeing bridge for increased flood conveyance. Also, 
alternatives 3 and 4 would need small levees placed at low points along 
the banks.
Scoping and Public Involvement

    Public involvement will be sought during scoping and preparation of 
the EIS in accordance with NEPA procedures. A public scoping process 
has been started to clarify issues of major concern, identify any 
information sources that might be available to analyze and evaluate 
impacts, and obtain public input on the range and acceptability of 
alternatives. This Notice of Intent formally commences the scoping 
process under NEPA. As part of the scoping process, all affected 
Federal, State and local agencies, Indian Tribes, and other interested 
private organizations, including environmental groups, are invited to 
comment on the scope of the EIS. Comments are requested concerning 
project alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant 
environmental impacts, and permits or other approvals that may be 
required.
    The following key areas have been identified to be analyzed in 
depth in the draft EIS:
    (1) Flooding Characteristics
    (2) Channel Sedimentation Rates
    (3) Water Quality
    (4) Fisheries
    (5) Wildlife
    (6) Wetlands
    (7) Socioeconomic Resources

Other Environmental Review and Coordination Requirements

    All review and coordination requirements will be fulfilled via this 
NEPA process.

Scoping Meeting

    A scoping meeting will be scheduled for mid-June, 1995. Details of 
the meeting time and location will be announced in local media. Notices 
will be sent to all agencies, organizations and individuals on the EIS 
mailing list.

Availability of Draft EIS

    The Corps expects to complete the draft EIS by April, 1996.

    Dated: May 15, 1995.
Donald T. Wynn,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 95-13377 Filed 5-31-95; 8:45 am]
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