[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 57448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28562]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability, Joint Environmental Assessment and 
Restoration Plan

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), on behalf of the 
Department of the Interior and States of Indiana and Ohio, announces 
the release for public review of the draft Joint Environmental 
Assessment and Restoration Plan (Plan) for the Fish Creek #2 Diesel 
Fuel Spill. The Plan covers the co-trustees' proposal to restore 
natural resources injured as a result of the 1993 Fish Creek spill. A 
public information meeting addressing the plan will be held on November 
14, 1996, in Edgerton, Ohio.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 16, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Plan may be made to: U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 620 South Walker Street, 
Bloomington, Indiana 47403-2121.
    Written comments or materials regarding the Plan should be sent to 
the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David C. Hudak, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 620 
South Walker Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47403-2121 (Attention: 
Environmental Contaminants Program).
    Interested parties may also call (812) 334-4261 for further 
information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 15, 1993, a pipeline ruptured 
and discharged approximately 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel that flowed 
into Fish Creek, in DeKalb County, Indiana, and spread into Williams 
County, Ohio. Fish Creek, which is located in northeastern Indiana, 
northwestern Ohio, and portions of southwest Michigan, supports a 
diverse mussel fauna. At least 30 species of mussels are known to exist 
in the watershed. Fish Creek is the only place in the world that the 
white cat's paw pearly mussel (Epioblasma obliquata perobliqua), a 
Federally-listed endangered mussel, is known to exist. Fish Creek also 
is known to harbor two other Federally-listed endangered mussel 
species, the northern riffleshell (Epioblasma rangiana) and the 
clubshell (Pleurobema clava). Several state-listed endangered mussels 
also occur in the affected reaches of Fish Creek. Following the spill, 
mortality of mammals, migratory birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and 
mussels was observed in the spill plume are of Fish Creek.
    In 1996, the United States of America, the State of Indiana, and 
the State of Ohio settled claims for natural resource damages 
associated with the 1993 Fish Creek oil spill under authority of the 
Oil Pollution Act. The settlement proceeds shall be used to compensate 
for injury, destruction, or loss of natural resources under trusteeship 
of the Department of the Interior, State of Indiana, and State of Ohio. 
The Plan is being released in accordance with the Natural Resource 
Damage Assessment Regulations found at 15 CFR, part 990. It is intended 
to describe the co-trustees' proposals to restore natural resources 
lost as a result of this spill.
    Restoration efforts will include the combination of protection and 
enhancement activities that have the greatest potential to restore the 
natural resources of Fish Creek to pre-spill conditions, with 
particular emphasis on the endangered mussels. The Plan focuses: (1) on 
increased endangered mussel recovery efforts; (2) water quality 
improvement; (3) riparian corridor protection; (4) community outreach 
and education; and, (5) monitoring to determine if the selected 
restoration actions are successful.
    Interested members of the public are invited to review and comment 
on the Plan. Copies of the Plan are available for review at the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service's Ecological Services Field Office in 
Bloomington, Indiana (620 South Walker Street, Bloomington, Indiana); 
the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (402 West Washington, Room 
273, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2748); the Indiana Department of 
Environmental Management (2525 North Shadeland Avenue, Room 202, 
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6015); the Ohio Environmental Protection 
Agency (P.O. Box 1049, 1800 Watermark Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049 
or the Northwest District Office, 347 North Dunbridge Road, Bowling 
Green, Ohio 43402); and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (1930 
Belcher Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43224-1387). Additionally, the Plan will 
be available for review at the following community libraries: Angola, 
Indiana; Auburn, Indiana; Bryan, Ohio; Butler, Indiana; Edgerton, Ohio; 
Edon, Ohio; and Fremont, Indiana.
    An informational meeting, open to the public, will be held to 
explain the Plan, provide information, receive written comments, and to 
answer any questions. The meeting will be held at the Miller Park 
Shelter House, Miller Park Drive, Edgerton, Ohio on November 14, 1996, 
from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Written comments will be considered and addressed 
in the final Plan at the conclusion of the restoration planning 
process.
William F. Hartwig,
Regional Director, Region 3, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 96-28562 Filed 11-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M