[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 227 (Monday, November 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58339-58340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28808]



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


DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Upper Mississippi River--Illinois Waterway System Navigation 
Study
agency: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
action: Notice intent.

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

summary: A DEIS will be prepared to address the Upper Mississippi 
River-Illinois Water System Navigation Study.
for further information contact: Questions about the proposed action 
and DEIS can be answered by Mr. Ken Barr; (309) 794-5349; Commander, 
U.S. Army Engineer District, Rock Island, ATTN: CENCR-PD-E, Clock Tower 
Building, P.O. Box 2004, Rock Island, Illinois 610204-2004.
supplementary information: The Upper Mississippi River-Illinois 
Waterway System Navigation Study is being conducted under the authority 
of Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970. The 9-foot navigation 
project is being reviewed for changed physical and economic conditions 
that may warrant structural or operational modifications to reduce 
congestion of commercial navigation traffic.
    1. During reconnaissance studies, the primary problem identified 
with the navigation system was lockage delays, especially in the 
downstream portions of the systems.
    2. Navigation improvements to reduce lockage delays identified to 
date include large- and small-scale measures. 

[[Page 58340]]

Combinations of these, along with the ``No Action'' alternative, are 
being evaluated to form an array of alternatives which will eventually 
result in a recommended plan.
    3. Significant issues and concerns identified to date include: 
system-wide impacts from potential navigation improvements and traffic 
increases; site-specific impacts from construction; effects on 
threatened and endangered species; defining and describing the ``future 
without-project'' condition; secondary effects; cumulative impacts, 
including the cumulative effects of the operation and maintenance of 
the existing navigation system; and the future condition and management 
of the river system.
    4. Scoping for the Environmental Impact Statement builds on a 
knowledge base resulting from the history of navigation on the Upper 
Mississippi and Illinois Waterway Navigation Systems and includes 
interagency coordination, interagency meetings, and public meetings. 
The ``Plan of Study'' which evolved from the 2nd Lock at Lock and Dam 
26 (Replacement) project provided a starting point for planning 
environmental studies. Interagency coordination and a ``Reconnaissance 
Resolution Conference'' held in December 1992 contributed further to an 
existing environmental study plan. A ``Public Involvement'' component 
of the study, and environmental, economic, engineering, and a 
``Governor's Liaison'' committees have promoted dialogue and 
coordination. A study newsletter with a mailing list of approximately 
9,500 is mailed out 3 times a year. Public meetings were held in the 
last quarter of 1993 and 1994, and open houses are scheduled for the 
last quarter of 1995. Interested Federal, State, and local agencies, 
Indian tribes, and other interested private organizations and parties 
are invited to participate.
    5. Environmental studies will continue through 1997, followed by 
analysis and synthesis of data which is anticipated to be provided to 
the public in a DES in June 1999.

    Dated: November 15, 1995.
Charles S. Cox,
Colonel, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 95-28808 Filed 11-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-HV-M