[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 13238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7042]



[[Page 13238]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Hamilton Army Airfield 
Wetland Restoration Project, Marin County, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District and 
the California State Coastal Conservancy propose to restore wetland 
habitat at the former Hamilton Army Airfield and adjacent properties. 
The airfield lies on former tidal wetland that has been diked to 
protect it from tidal flooding. The area has subsided significantly 
since its removal from tidal action. The project may modify existing 
levees and construct new ones around the project area. Dredged material 
suitable for wetland creation would be used to bring the area to an 
elevation where marsh would establish itself, after which the bayfront 
levee would be breached, returning tidal action to the area. 
Restoration without the use of dredged material is also being 
considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions regarding the scoping process or preparation of the EIS/EIR 
may be directed to Eric Jolliffe, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 333 
Market Street, Seventh Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105-2102, (415) 977-
8543, or Terri Nevins, California State Coastal Conservancy, 1330 
Broadway, Suite 1100, Oakland, CA 94612-2530, (510) 286-4161.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the 
Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), 
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Public Law 102-484 
Section 2834, as amended by Public Law 104-106 Section 2867, the 
Department of the Army and the California State Coastal Conservancy 
hereby give notice of intent to prepare a joint Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Proposed 
Hamilton Army Airfield Wetland Restoration Project, Marin County, 
California.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be the lead agency in 
preparing the EIS. The EIS/EIR will provide an analysis supporting the 
requirements of both NEPA and CEQA in addressing impacts to the 
environment which may result from restoring wetland habitat at the 
former Hamilton Army Airfield and adjacent properties.

1. Proposed Action

    The Hamilton restoration site consists of the former Hamilton Army 
Airfield, adjacent Navy ballfields, and the former Hamilton North 
Antenna Field. The project would restore up to 950 acres of tidal marsh 
and seasonal wetland at the site. All restoration alternatives have a 
goal of creating a mix of 80% tidal marsh and 20% seasonal wetland. 
Existing levees would be raised and new ones would be constructed 
around the perimeter of the site. The re-establishment of tidal marsh 
would require higher elevations than currently exist to allow the 
growth of wetland vegetation. These higher elevations could probably be 
achieved by breaching the existing bayfront levee and allowing tidal 
activity to deposit sediments. However, placement of suitable dredged 
material at the site to raise elevations closer to the eventual marsh 
plain would allow marsh vegetation to establish much sooner. In 
addition, the placement of suitable dredged material or other suitable 
fill is needed to achieve target elevations for seasonal wetland 
habitat restoration. Placement of dredged material would be 
accomplished by pumping a slurry of dredged material to the site from 
barges moored in San Pablo Bay.

2. Project Alternatives

    a. No action. The area would remain free from tidal action as it is 
now and no marsh would develop. Pumps would continue to be required to 
remove runoff water.
    b. Wetland would be restored to the Airfield and Navy ballfields 
without the use of dredged material. Approximately 700 acres of wetland 
would be restored.
    c. Wetland would be restored to the Airfield and Navy ballfields 
using dredged material to accelerate marsh establishment and raise 
elevations for seasonal wetlands. Approximately 700 acres of wetland 
would be restored.
    d. Wetland would be restored to the Airfield and adjacent 
properties at the site without the use of dredged material. 
Approximately 950 acres of wetland would be restored.
    e. Wetland would be restored to the Airfield and adjacent 
properties at the site using dredged material to accelerate marsh 
establishment and raise elevations for seasonal wetlands. Approximately 
950 acres of wetland would be restored.

3. Scoping Process

    Federal, state and local agencies, and interested individuals are 
invited to participate in the scoping process to determine the range of 
issues and alternatives to be addressed. The California State Coastal 
Conservancy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold two public 
scoping meetings to receive oral and written comments at the following 
locations and times:

9:30 am-12:00 pm, March 25, 1998, Hamilton Community Center, 203 Bel 
Bonito Street, Novato, California

      And

7:30 pm-10:00 pm, March 30, 1998, Novato City Council Chambers, 908 
Machin Drive, Novato, California.

    In addition, written comments will also be accepted until April 8, 
1998 at the addresses listed above.

4. Availability of EIS/EIR

    The Draft EIS/EIR should be available for public review in August 
1998.
Richard G. Thompson,
Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 98-7042 Filed 3-17-98; 8:45 am]
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