[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58949-58950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28878]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Corps of Engineers; Department of the Army


Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Western Branch, Patuxent River, Water Resources Feasibility Study in 
Prince George's County, Maryland and Hold a Public Scoping Workshop

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), the Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is 
initiating the Western Branch, Patuxent River, Water Resources 
Feasibility Study. The riparian and aquatic environmental integrity of 
the Western Branch watershed has been severely degraded by 
urbanization, inadequate infrastructure and industrial encroachment. 
Potential environmental restoration of streambanks, wetlands and forest 
buffers could restore riparian and aquatic habitat, improve water 
quality through habitat restoration, restore stream channel stability, 
and reduce erosion and sedimentation. An EIS will be integrated into 
the feasibility study to document existing conditions, project actions, 
and project effects and products. Prince George's County and the 
Maryland Department of the Environment are the non-Federal sponsors for 
the project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Questions about the proposed action and DEIS 
can be addressed to Ms. Michele A. Bistany, Study Manager, Baltimore 
District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENAB-PL-P, P.O. Box 
1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, telephone (410) 962-4934, E-mail 
address:

[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    1. The Patuxent River Water Resources Reconnaissance Study was 
authorized by a resolution of the Committee on Public Works and 
Transportation of the United States House of Representatives, adopted 
28 September 1994.
    2. The area proposed for environmental restoration is known as the 
Western Branch, Patuxent River watershed. The most significant problems 
in the Western Branch watershed are the loss of aquatic and riparian 
habitat and the instability of the streambeds and channels. This 
excessive degradation includes: rapid stormwater flows that cause 
streambank erosion and sedimentation, encroachment of development which 
limits riparian habitat and wetlands, and polluted runoff which 
contributes to poor water quality. These factors negatively impact the 
present aquatic and riparian environment and will continue to cause 
further degradation in the future.
    3. On 24 July 1997, the Baltimore District and Prince George's 
County executed a feasibility cost-sharing agreement to prepare a study 
on the Western Branch watershed. This watershed study is being 
conducted to investigate the feasibility of restoring habitat and the 
environmental integrity of the watershed. The purpose of this study is 
to better define problems within the watershed including sedimentation 
and erosion, reduction of aquatic and riparian habitat, and degradation 
of wetland habitat and to determine solutions to these problems. The 
goal of this study is to improve the aquatic and riparian ecosystem, 
and reduce sedimentation and erosion within the Western Branch 
watershed. To achieve this goal, the Corps will further define the 
problems, needs, and opportunities in the watershed; analyze and 
forecast environmental resource conditions; formulate, evaluate, and 
compare alternative concept plans for numerous sites within the 
watershed; develop detailed designs and costs for the selected 
concepts; and recommend a cost effective overall plan for the 
watershed.
    4. Throughout the feasibility study, potential restoration sites 
within the watershed will be identified, evaluated, and selected. To 
achieve the proposed watershed restoration, the alternatives to be 
evaluated will include stabilization of eroding stream channels, 
creation and enhancement of wetlands, restoration of floodplains, 
construction of or improvements to stormwater detention ponds, and 
construction of fish passage structures. Fish habitat structures would 
also be installed, if necessary, to restore aquatic habitat and provide 
added cover for spawning. Stream restoration alternatives may include 
stabilization techniques, such as plantings, and placement of 
geotextile tubes or natural materials.
    5. The decision to implement these actions will be based on an 
evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activities on the 
public interest, reflecting the national concern for both protection 
and utilization of important resources. The benefit that reasonably may 
be expected to accrue from the proposal will be balanced against its 
reasonably foreseeable costs. The Baltimore District is preparing an 
EIS that will describe the impacts of the proposed projects on 
environmental and cultural resources in the study area and the overall 
public interest. The EIS will be in accordance with NEPA and will 
document all factors that may be relevant to the proposal, including 
the cumulative effects thereof. Among these factors are conservation, 
economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, 
cultural and historic values, fish and wildlife values, threatened and 
endangered species, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, 
recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, air quality, 
hazardous and toxic substances, safety, and the general needs and 
welfare of the people. If applicable, the EIS will also apply 
guidelines issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, under the 
authority of Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (Public 
Law 95-217).
    6. The public involvement program will include public workshops, 
meetings, and other coordination with interested private individuals 
and organizations, as well as with concerned Federal, state and local 
agencies. Coordination letters and newsletters have been sent to 
appropriate agencies, organizations, and individuals on an extensive 
mailing list. Additional public information will be provided through 
print media, mailings, and radio and television announcements.
    7. In addition to the Corps, Prince George's County, and the 
Maryland Department of the Environment, other participants that will be 
involved in the study and EIS process include the following: U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. 
Forest Service; U.S. Geological Survey; National Marine Fisheries 
Service; Natural Resource Conservation Service; and the Maryland 
Department of Natural Resources. The Baltimore District invites 
potentially

[[Page 58950]]

affected Federal, state, and local agencies, and other organizations 
and entities to participate in this study.
    8. A public scoping workshop will be held on 6 November 1997 from 
7-9 p.m. at Largo High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The purpose 
of the meeting is to solicit public concerns and comments on the study 
area and the study process.
    9. The DEIS is tentatively scheduled to be available for public 
review in July of 1999.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-28878 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-41-M