[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65199-65200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31409]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Army Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare A Draft Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for 
the Alexander and Pulaski Counties Feasibility Study, Alexander and 
Pulaski Counties, IL

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent and second public scoping meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural 
Resources, intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the Alexander and Pulaski Counties Feasibility Study in 
Alexander and Pulaski Counties, Illinois. A description of the proposed 
project, location and environmental issues to be addressed in the draft 
EIS are provided below (SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). In addition to this 
notice, a second public scoping meeting will be held to further define 
the scope of the feasibility study and to receive public comments 
regarding the scope of the study and draft EIS. The public will be 
invited to participate in the scoping process review of the draft EIS 
and two public meetings. This notice is published in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations found in 40 
CFR 1501.7. The purpose of this notice is to solicit suggestions and 
information from other agencies and the public on the scope of the 
feasibility study and issues to be addressed in the draft EIS. Comments 
and participation in this process are encouraged.
    Tentative Schedule:
    a. Phase 2 Public Workshop & Letters (Scoping) (Subject: 
Alternative Measures)--Nov 1996.
    b. Phase 2 Public Involvement Results, Mailed to Public--Jan 1997.
    c. Draft Feasibility Report & Draft EIS Mailed to Public for 
Review/Comment--1998.
    d. Phase 3 Public Involvement (Workshop, Meeting, Letters; Subject: 
Alternative Plans)--1998.
    e. Final Feasibility Report & Final EIS Mailed to Public (Includes 
Phase 3 Public Involvement Analysis)--1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and draft EIS can be answered by: Mr. David Gates, (314) 331-8478, or 
Mr. T. Miller, (314) 331-8458, Planning Division, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, St. Louis District, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 
63103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    1. The study is in response to two Congressional Authorizations: 
(1) Resolution of the House Committee on Flood Control, adopted 21 June 
1944--The Board of Engineers for Rivers and harbors created under 
Section 3 of the Rivers and Harbors Act approved 13 June 1902, was 
requested to review the report on flood control on the Mississippi 
River between Coon Rapids Dam and the mouth of the Ohio River, 
contained in House Document No. 669, 76th Congress, 3rd Session, with a 
view to determining whether flood protection should be provided for the 
area in Illinois between the proposed new outlet Cache River, Illinois 
and Miller City, Illinois. (2) Resolution sponsored by Congressman Paul 
Simon of Illinois and adopted on 25 April 1978 by the House Committee 
on Public Works and Transportation--The Board of Engineers for Rivers 
and Harbors was requested to review the report entitled ``Comprehensive 
Flood Control Plan for the Ohio and Lower Mississippi Rivers'' 
published as Flood Control Committee Document No. 1. 75th Congress, 1st 
Session, and other pertinent reports with a view toward provision of a 
comprehensive study of the flood

[[Page 65200]]

control problems and related water resources needs of streams in 
Alexander and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, and those portions of the 
streams and basins in adjacent Illinois counties tributary to Alexander 
and Pulaski Counties.
    2. For reasons of marginal flood control benefits, changing land 
use, the recognized environmental uniqueness of the area, changing 
Corps wetlands restoration policies and sponsorship, the planning 
investigation has shifted from its original focus on flood control to 
its present purpose of habitat restoration.
    Sedimentation from tributary streams, and an altered hydrologic 
regime are destroying one of the most impressive wetland areas in the 
Cache River--the Lower Cache River Swamp National Natural Landmark 
area. Heron Pond Little Black Slough National Natural Landmark area is 
threatened by drainage induced by entrenchment of the Post Creek/Upper 
Cache River channel.
    Prior Corps of Engineers projects have contributed at least 
partially to these problems: flood water recharge of the Lower Cache 
River wetlands has been reduced as a result of Upper Cache River and 
Ohio River flows being deflected away from the Lower Cache via the 
Corps constructed Cache River and Reevesville Levees. The Cache River 
levee has contributed to the entrenchment process by ensuring that 
major flood flows from the Upper Cache River and Main Ditch area are 
directed down the Post-Creek Cutoff channel. The Cache River levee 
culverts have contributed to reverse flowage during high and low water 
stages on the Lower Cache. During higher tributary stages, sediment-
laden waters are carried into Lower Cache River Swamp, and during dry 
periods (due to the low culvert inserts), the swamp is excessively 
drained. The Corps' Cache River diversion outlet and levee has diverted 
flows away from the lowermost 7 miles of Old Cache River channel.
    Unless these problems are controlled through sound environmental 
engineering, the landmark areas will be lost. Solutions to these 
problems will require a thorough understanding of the complex hydrology 
of the Cache River basin. The Corps has an opportunity to provide the 
highly specialized hydrological engineering expertise needed for such 
an effort. The Corps is also in a unique position to provide the 
implementation capabilities for installing needed structural solutions.
    3. Potential habitat restoration measures include: Big Creek and 
Cypress Creek floodplain restoration; sediment retention dams in the 
uplands of Big Creek and Cypress Creek; selective sediment removal from 
Lower Cache River Swamp; diverting flow from the Upper Cache towards 
Lower Cache River Swamp; Lower Cache River Swamp water control 
structures; and rock weirs placement in Post Creek and the Upper Cache 
River.
    4. Scoping process includes the Nov 1996 Phase 2 Public Workshop & 
Written Comments period.
    5. Draft EIS will be made available to the public in 1998.
Thomas J. Hodgini,
COL, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 96-31409 Filed 12-11-96; 8:45 am]
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