[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 5 (Friday, January 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 1181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-397]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (DSEIS) for Reevaluation of the White River to Newport, 
Arkansas, Navigation Project

AGENCY: Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: This study supplements the EIS ``White River Navigation to 
Batesville, Arkansas'' (filed with the Council on Environmental Quality 
(CEQ) January 23, 1981). The purpose of this reevaluation study is to 
develop a plan for improving navigation capability of the lower White 
River, Arkansas. The work is authorized under the Water Resources 
Development Act (WRDA) of 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jacqueline Whitlock, telephone 
(901) 544-3832, CEMVM-PM-P, 167 North Main Street B-202, Memphis, TN 
38103-1894. Questions regarding the DEIS may be directed to Mr. Erwin 
Roemer, telephone (901) 544-0704, CEMVM-PM-E.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Proposed Action

    The feasibility of making navigation improvements on the White 
River, Arkansas, is being studied. The area of focus is the White River 
from Arkansas Post Canal (River Mile 10) upstream to Newport, Arkansas 
(River Mile 254). Studies involve reengineering and design of the 
existing project, possible changes to existing reservoir release 
schedules, defining navigation windows to increase reliability, seeking 
economic optimization, and minimizing adverse environmental impacts. 
The project was authorized originally by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 
1892, although the Federal government conducted snagging operations 
here as early as 1870. A Navigation Report was prepared by the Memphis 
District in 1969, under section 107 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 
1960. This resulted in channel improvement completed in 1971. An EIS 
that focused on existing project maintenance was prepared by the 
Memphis District and filed with CEQ June 10, 1976. In 1979 the Memphis 
District produced a feasibility report and final EIS (``White River 
Navigation to Batesville, Arkansas'' May 1979; filed with CEQ January 
23, 1981) regarding plans to further improve the navigation channel to 
a depth of 9 feet available 95% of the time and a bottom width of 200 
feet. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-
662) modified the project to include mitigative and other actions 
related to the Fat Pocketbook Pearly Mussel and improving aquatic 
habitat through construction of weirs. The WRDA of 1988 deauthorized 
the project. The WRDA of 1996 reauthorized the project and led to the 
present reevaluation.

2. Reasonable Alternatives

    An optimal plan of improvement will be devised including 
consideration of four different project perspectives: (1) Existing 
conditions, (2) future conditions without Federal involvement, (3) 
future with the authorized project, as earlier planned, and (4) future 
with an alternative plan including optimal improvements. These 
alternatives, including those with no action on behalf of the U.S. 
Government, will be considered.

3. The Corps Scoping Process

    A public involvement program has been initiated and will be 
maintained throughout this reevaluation. The broad goal is to identify 
significant issues through an exchange of information on project-
related topics. Input will be sought from the public including 
individuals and agencies, and from the private sector. Federally 
recognized American Indian tribes do not have tribal lands at or near 
the White River, but effort will be made to consult groups that, based 
on historic or ancestral presence, might have interest in the study. 
Status reports will be made to interested parties throughout the 
reevaluation. It is anticipated several public scoping meetings will be 
scheduled within the next year and prior to completion of draft SEIS 
document. These meetings will likely be at or relatively near the White 
River study area. The draft SEIS document should be available for 
review by late 1999. A number of issues are anticipated to be of 
interest during the scoping process. These issues are known from the 
original 1979 EIS and from current knowledge of the general region. 
These include the presence of wildlife refuge areas adjacent to the 
project, the Fat Pocketbook Pearly Mussel and other endangered species, 
weir construction to improve aquatic habitat, wildlife and aquatic 
habitat in general, waterfowl, water quality, hydrology, wetlands, 
cultural resources including potential historic shipwrecks and sites 
potentially of interest to American Indians, recreation, economics, 
disposal of dredged material, and the aesthetics of the lower White 
River. Both positive and negative impacts will be considered.
Mary V. Yonts,
Alternate Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-397 Filed 1-7-99; 8:45 am]
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