[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 224 (Thursday, November 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 62019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30489]



[[Page 62019]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), 
Skagit River Flood Damage Reduction Study, Skagit County Washington

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Skagit River 
Flood Damage Reduction Study. This study was requested by Skagit 
County, Washington because of significant flooding on the Skagit River. 
Skagit County will provide fifty percent of the funding for this study. 
An EIS is being prepared because of the potential for impacts on 
environmental resources, particularly salmonid habitat, and the intense 
public interest already demonstrated in addressing the flooding 
problems of the Skagit River. The study is expected to take 
approximately four years to complete.

DATES: Persons or organizations wishing to submit scoping comments 
should do so by December 30, 1997. Public comment may also be made at 
the scoping meeting (date and location to be announced later). 
Notification of scoping meetings times and locations will be sent to 
all agencies, organizations and individuals on the project mailing 
list.

ADDRESSES: Requests for inclusion on the mailing list, future 
documents, and all comments on the proposed project should be sent to: 
Michael Scuderi, NEPA Coordinator, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, P.O. 3755, Seattle, Washington 98124-2255, ATTN: CENWS-EN-
PL-ER, telephone (206) 764-3479, FAX (206) 764-4470, or e-mail 
Michael.R.S[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact General questions concerning 
the proposed action and the Draft EIS can be directed to: Michael 
Scuderi, Study Environmental Coordinator (see address above) or Forest 
Brooks, Project Manager, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, P.O. 3755, Seattle, Washington 98124-2255, ATTN: CENWS-EN-
PL-CP, telephone (206) 764-3456, FAX (206) 764-4470, or e-mail 
Forest.C.B[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The purpose of the Skagit River Feasibility Flood Control study is 
better identify the Skagit River flood problems and opportunities that 
exist to relieve flooding and reduce flood damages, and to develop a 
flood damage reduction plan that fits Federal law and policy, and is 
within the capability of the local sponsor to support their required 
share of the project costs. The Skagit River Basin is located in 
northwestern Washington state and encompasses 3,140 square miles. The 
major cities on the Skagit River delta, Mt. Vernon, Burlington, and 
Sedro Woolley, lie about 60 miles north of Seattle. The study area for 
the feasibility study will be the Skagit River floodplain downstream of 
Concrete (river mile 54), with prime emphasis on the Skagit River delta 
west of Sedro Woolley (river mile 22). Authority for this study is 
contained in Section 209 of the 1962 Flood Control Act, Pub. L. 87-874. 
That section authorized a comprehensive study of Puget Sound, 
Washington and adjacent Waters, including tributaries, in the interest 
of flood control, navigation, and other water uses and related land 
resources.

Alternatives

    In the reconnaissance phase for the Skagit Study, the Corps 
identified two alternative courses of action for further analysis in 
the feasibility study:
    (1) No Action. Allow the current levee system to remain in place 
without a major system wide upgrade. Individual diking districts would 
continue to operate, maintain, and repair the existing levee system.
    (2) Construct a coordinated levee improvement project that would 
provide a higher level of flood protection (100-year or greater) for 
the Burlington and Mt. Vernon urban areas through a system of new and 
raised levees with overflow sections at critical locations in rural 
areas designed to overtop without failure (during 25-year or greater 
events). Sections of the rural levees would also be upgraded to provide 
a uniform level of protection in rural areas.
    Variations to alternative 2 will be examined in detail during the 
feasibility study and additional alternatives may be created for 
comparison purposes.
    The study could be expanded to include environmental restoration 
opportunities if a suitable non-Federal sponsor wished to provide 
funding for considering these elements as part of the Skagit Study.

Scoping

    Public involvement will be sought during scoping, plan formulation, 
and preparation of the EIS in accordance with NEPA procedures. A public 
scoping process has been started: (1) to clarify which issues appear to 
be major public concerns, (2) to identify any information sources that 
might be available to analyze and evaluate impacts, and (3) to obtain 
public input on the range and acceptability of alternatives. This 
Notice of Intent formally commences the scoping process under NEPA. As 
part of the scoping process, all affected Federal, State and local 
agencies, Indian Tribes, and other interested private organizations, 
including environmental groups, are invited to comment on the scope of 
the EIS. Comments are requested concerning issues of concern, project 
alternatives, potential mitigation measures, probable significant 
environmental impacts, and permits or other approval that may be 
required by any project.
    The following key areas have been identified so far to be analyzed 
in depth in the draft EIS:

(1) Flooding Characteristics (existing and with any project)
(2) Impacts to Fish Habitat
(3) Impacts to Riparian Habitat
(4) Impacts to Wetlands
(5) Impacts to Cultural Resources

Scoping Meeting

    Opportunity to comment on the planned study will also be available 
at the study scoping meeting which has yet to be scheduled. Details of 
the meeting time and location will be announced in the local media. 
Notices will be sent to all agencies, organizations and individuals on 
the mailing list.

Availability of Draft EIS

    The Corps expects to complete preparation of the draft EIS and have 
review copies of its available by May 2001.
James M. Rigsby,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 97-30489 Filed 11-19-97; 8:45 am]
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