[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40805-40806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20035]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers


Draft Jennings Randolph Lake Master Plan 1997 Update And 
Integrated Environmental Impact Statement

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the 1995 Energy and Water Development 
Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 103-316, 108 Stat. 1701, dated 26 August 
1994), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, has 
prepared the Draft Jennings Randolph Lake Master Plan 1997 Update and 
Integrated Environmental Impact Statement (EIA) to address potential 
future development at, and to update the NEPA documentation for the 
operation of, Jennings Randolph Lake, Garrett County, Maryland and 
Mineral County, West Virginia. The public review and comment period for 
the Draft Master Plan and integrated EIS will begin on July 31, 1997, 
and will end on September 16, 1997. Jennings Randolph Lake is located 
on the North Branch of the Potomac River, approximately 8 miles 
upstream of Bloomington, Maryland, and approximately 5 miles north of 
Elk Garden, West Virginia. The dam is a multi-purpose project 
authorized for flood protection, water quality, recreation, and water 
supply. The original Master Plan for Jennings Randolph Lake was 
completed in 1973. The current update reevaluates the assets, needs, 
and potential of the project. The 1997 Master Plan Update reflects 
changes that have occurred to the site, in the region, in recreation 
trends, and in Corps policy in the years since the original Master Plan 
was completed. The purpose of the update is to provide a guide for the 
use and development of natural and constructed resources on Corps fee-
owned lands at Jennings Randolph Lake. The Master Plan is the basic 
document guiding Corps responsibilities pursuant to Federal laws to 
preserve, conserve, restore, maintain, manage, and develop the project 
lands, waters, and associated resources. The document also updates the 
existing environmental documentation for project operations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information or copies of the report 
may be obtained by calling Ms. Lacy Evans at (410) 962-6018. Requests 
for copies of the Draft Report and Integrated EIS may be mailed to 
District Engineer ATTN: CENAB-OP-TR (Evans), U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Baltimore District, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715, 
or by sending an e-mail message to lacy.e.evans@ccmail 
.nab.usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Master Plan has been prepared in 
accordance with Engineering Regulation (ER) 1130-2-550, dated November 
1996. This regulation prescribes ``an overall land and water management 
plan, resource objectives, and associated design and management 
concepts'' that provides the ``best possible combination of response to 
regional needs, resource capabilities and suitabilities, and expressed 
public interests and desires consistent with authorized project 
purpose.'' Additional, as specified in the regulation, the Master Plan 
contributes to ``providing qualities, characteristics, and potentials 
of the project;'' and exhibits ``consistency and compatibility and with 
national objectives and other state and regional goals and programs.''
    The decision to implement the proposed future development at 
Jennings Randolph Lake is based on an evaluation of the probable impact 
of the proposed activities on the environment, as well as public 
interest. Factors being considered include regional economics, general 
environmental concerns, wetlands, cultural resources, flood hazards, 
fish and wildlife resources, flood plain management, land use, 
recreation, water supply, water quality, aesthetics, energy needs 
regional and local infrastructure, hazardous and toxic materials, 
public health and safety, food and fiber production and the general 
needs and welfare of the people.
    Comments on the Draft Master Plan and Integrated EIS document from 
the public and from Federal, state, and local agencies and officials 
will be considered in the decision to implement the Master Plan at the 
project, and will be incorporated into the final Environmental Impact 
Statement. A public meeting will be held on Thursday, August 14, 1997, 
from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Mineral County Health Center, Harley O. 
Staggers Sr. Drive, Keyser, West Virginia. The public meeting will 
focus on discussing the Draft Master Plan and Integrated EIS.
    This Notice of Availability is being sent to organizations and 
individuals known to have an interest in the Master Plan Update. Please 
bring this notice to the attention of any other individuals with an 
interest in this matter. Copies of the Draft Jennings Randolph Lake 
Master Plan 1997 Update and Integrated EIS are available for review at 
the following locations:


[[Page 40806]]


Keyser/Mineral County Public Library, 105 North Main Street, Keyser, 
West Virginia
Fort Ashby Public Branch Library, Fort Ashby, West Virginia
Piedmont Library, Childs Avenue, Piedmont, West Virginia
Allegheny Mountain Top Public Library, Mount Storm, West Virginia
Cumberland Public Library, 31 Washington Street, Cumberland, Maryland
Garrett County Public Library, 6 North 2nd Street, Oakland, Maryland
Westernport Public Library, 66 Main Street, Westernport, Maryland
Frostburg Library, 90 East Main Street, Frostburg, Maryland
La Vale Library, 815 National Highway, La Vale, Maryland
Ronald A. Cucina,
Chief, Operations Division.
[FR Doc. 97-20035 Filed 7-29-97; 8:45 am]
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