[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 132 (Monday, July 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37520-37521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17621]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for Wappapello Lake Operation and Maintenance, Wayne and Butler 
Counties, MO

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing 
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Continuing Operation 
and Maintenance of Wappapello Lake on the St. Francis River, Wayne and 
Butler counties, Missouri. Even though this project was completed 
before the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, it is the intent 
of the Corps to prepare an EIS on current operations, which have an 
impact on notable environmental resources.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, Planning, 
Programs, and Project Management Division, Environmental and Economic 
Analysis Branch, 1222 Spruce St., St. Louis MO 63103-2833.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Lynn Neher, (314) 331-8880, 
Lynn.N.N[email protected] or Mr. Daniel Ragland, (314) 331-
8461, Daniel.V.Ragland @mvs02.usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Wappapello Lake and Dam were part of the St. 
Francis Basin Project that was

[[Page 37521]]

authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1936 (Overton Act). Construction 
of the dam was completed in 1941 with an authorized purpose of flood 
control. Development and use of flood control reservoirs for 
recreational and related purposes were authorized by Section 4 of the 
Flood Control Act approved 22 December 1944, as amended by Section 209 
of the Flood Control Act of 1954 approved 3 December 1954. A final EIS 
was completed for the entire St. Francis Basin Project in July 1973. 
Wappapello Lake and Dam were included in this EIS as part of the St. 
Francis Basin Project's purpose of flood control, but general O&M 
details for Wappapello Lake and Dam was not addressed. Wappapello Lake 
and Dam have a range of operational practices within the authorized 
purpose of the project. Since its inception, the development and 
management of Wappapello Lake and Dam have included flood control, 
recreational facility development and access, forestry, fish and 
wildlife management and protection of natural and cultural resources.

Alternatives

    The Corps of Engineers will evaluate reasonable alternatives for 
the O&M of Wappapello Lake and Dam. The no action alternative will be 
to not change the current O&M practices. The action alternatives will 
address proposed changes to the current O&M practices concerning the 
management of the project's natural resources and recreational 
opportunities.

Scoping and Public Involvement

    Public involvement will be sought during scoping and conduct of the 
study in accordance with NEPA procedures. A public scoping process will 
help to clarify issues of major concern, identify any information 
sources that might be available to analyze and evaluate impacts, and 
obtain public input on the range and acceptability of alternatives. The 
Notice of Intent formally commences the scoping process under NEPA. As 
part of the scoping process, all Federal, state and local agencies, 
Native American tribes, and other interested private organizations or 
individuals, including environmental groups, are invited to comment on 
the scope of the EIS. Comments are requested concerning project 
alternatives, probable significant environmental impacts and permits or 
other approvals that may be required.
    The following key areas have been identified to be analyzed in-
depth in the draft EIS:

1. Geology and Engineering Design
2. Water Management
3. Water Quality
4. Fisheries
5. Wildlife
6. Wetlands
7. Forest Management
8. Cultural Resources
9. Socioeconomic Resources
10. Recreation
11. Hydroelectric
12. Utility right-of-ways

Other Environmental Review and Coordination Requirements

    All review and coordination requirements will be fulfilled via this 
NEPA process. On-going operations of the lake and dam are continually 
coordinated with agencies and interested publics.

Scoping Meeting

    A scoping meeting for this EIS will be held in conjunction with a 
public workshop that will be held in July or August 1999 for the Lake's 
Master Plan Update. The exact date has not been set and can be 
requested by calling the Lake's office at (573) 222-8562.

Availability of Draft EIS

    The draft EIS is scheduled for release in the spring of 2000.
Thomas J. Hodgini,
COL, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 99-17621 Filed 7-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-55-M