[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13411-13412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6622]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of Army; Army Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent and Notice of Preparation for an Environmental 
Impact Statement and Environment Impact Report for a Proposed Flood 
Reduction Investigation in Stanislaus County, CA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Sacramento District 
(Federal); Stanislaus County, California (local).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The objectives of this project are to identify a flood 
reduction plan that will yield a sound project, both functionally and 
economically, to reduce flood damages to the populated towns of Newman 
and Patterson, California and the surrounding agricultural land. The 
intent of this project is to improve the hydraulic conveyance of the 
Orestimba and Salado Creeks, Environmental restoration may be a 
component to the plan if a sponsor can be identified.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and EIS/EIR can be answered by Jerry Fuentes at (916) 557-6706 or by 
mail at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, ATTN: CESPK-
PD-R, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, California, 95814-2922.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Proposed Action

    The Corps, in cooperation with the local sponsor (Stanislaus 
County), is conducting a feasibility investigation on the alternative 
flood damage reduction measures identified during the expedited 
reconnaissance phase and described in the Project Study Plan dated 
September 1998. This flood control investigation proposes to reduce the 
flood hazards currently associated with flood flows along Orestimba and 
Salado Creek.

[[Page 13412]]

2. Alternatives

    The feasibility report will address an array of alternatives. 
Alternatives analyzed during the feasibility investigation will be a 
combination of one or more flood reduction measures identified during 
the reconnaissance phase; additional measures may be considered. These 
alternative measures include detention basins, hydraulic system 
modifications, creek widening, structural modifications, and snag 
clearing.
    a. No Action. There will be no flood control projects implemented 
for west Stanislaus County.
    b. Detention basin and hydraulic system modifications are proposed 
for Salado Creek. This alternative focuses on safely conveying flood 
flows from the Salado Creek foothills to the San Joaquin River.
    Detention basin, creek widening, and structural modifications are 
proposed for Orestimba Creek. This alternative focuses on conveying 
flood flows from the Orestimba Creek foothills to the San Joaquin 
River.

3. Scoping Process

    a. The project study plan provides for pubic scoping meeting and 
comment. The Corps has initiated a process of involving concerned 
individuals, local , state, and Federal agencies.
    b. Significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the EIS/EIR 
include appropriate levels of the flood damage reduction, adverse 
effects on vegetation and wildlife resources, special-status species, 
esthetics, cultural resources, recreation, and cumulative impacts of 
related projects in the study area.
    c. The Corps will consult with the State Historic Preservation 
Officer and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide a Fish and 
Wildlife Coordination Act Report as an appendix to the EIS/EIR.
    d. A 45-day public review period will be provided for individuals 
and agencies to review and comment on the EIS/EIR. All interested 
parties should respond to this notice and provide a current address if 
they wish to be notified of the EIS/EIR circulation.
    4. A pubic scoping meeting will be held on March 3, 1999, from 3:00 
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at West Side Theater, 1331 Main Street, Newman, 
California.

5. Availability

    The EIS/EIR is scheduled to be available for public review and 
comment late in calendar year 2000.

    Dated: February 26, 1999.
Michael J. Walsh,
LTC (P), EN Commanding.
[FR Doc. 99-6622 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am]
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