[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 174 (Thursday, September 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48994-48995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23354]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), 
Centralia-Chehalis Flood Damage Reduction Study, Lewis 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 Centralia-
Chehalis Flood Damage Reduction Study. The government of Lewis County 
(Washington) requested this study because of significant flooding on 
the Chehalis River and its tributaries. An EIS is being prepared 
because of the potential for impacts on environmental resources, 
including the human environment. Potential impacts include those to 
wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, cultural and historical resources, 
downstream flooding, and water quality. There is also intense public 
interest in addressing the flooding problems.

DATES: Persons or organizations wishing to submit scoping comments 
should do so by September 30, 1999. Public comment may also be made at 
the scoping meetings (dates and locations to be determined 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 documents and all comments should be sent to: 
Kathleen Kunz, NEPA Coordinator, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, P.O. Box 3755 Seattle, Washington 98124-2255. ATTN: CENWS-
PM-PL-ER, telephone (206) 764-3708.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the proposed 
action and the Draft EIS can be directed to: Kathleen Kunz, NEPA 
Coorinator or Forest Brooks, Project Manager, Seattle District, U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 3755, Seattle, Washington 98124-2255, 
ATTN: CENWS-PM-PL-ER, telephone (206) 764-3708.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Chehalis River basin is located in west central Washington, 
south of Olympia. The focus of the flood damage reduction study 
encompasses the cities of Centralia and Chehalis and the urbanizing 
areas immediately adjacent to the cities.
    The cities of Centralia and Chehalis have been subject to repeated 
flooding for many years. This flooding has caused extensive damage to 
private and public property and periodic closure of critical 
transportation routes resulting in significant economic losses. Flood 
closures of the transportation routes have also significantly disrupted 
emergency response actions by local governments. Stream habitat 
functions of the Chehalis River and its tributaries have been affected 
from long-term development throughout the Chehalis Basin. This has 
resulted in the diminishment of the remaining habitat resources to 
adequately support sustainable fish and wildlife resources. The losses 
of wetlands, riparian areas, and back channels have also contributed to 
increased flooding in the area. The purpose of the Centralia-Chehalis 
Flood Damage Reduction study is to reduce flood hazards in the project 
area, the cities of Centralia and Chehalis and the urbanizing area 
immediately adjacent, and to incorporate appropriate fish and wildlife 
habitat improvements. Flood hazards are defined as significant damage 
to existing structures, high risk to life, and extended closures of 
transportation corridors.
    Authority for this study is contained in Section 401(a) of the 1986 
Flood Control Act (PL-99-662). This section provided authorization for 
the construction of ``works of improvement'' substantially in 
accordance with the Report of the Chief of Engineers dated 20 June 
1984.

Alternatives

    The Corps has currently identified 6 alternative courses of action 
for analysis. This is a preliminary assessment of alternatives. We 
believe the scoping process and the study process will also identify 
additional alternatives:
    1. No Action. Allow current conditions and programs to remain as 
currently planned.
    2. Authorized Project. The project identified in the 1984 Chief of 
Engineers Report only included modifications at Skookumchuck Dam to 
provide flood storage. These included a 12-foot diameter, 1,200-foot-
long low-level discharge tunnel and a steel gate on top of the 
spillway.
    3. Lewis County Alternative. Lewis County has developed a plan that 
consists of three major elements: modifications at Skookumchuck Dam to 
provide flood storage (sluices through the spillway and a rubber weir-
type gate on top of the spillway), overbank excavation near Centralia, 
and flood bypass measures near Chehalis.
    4. Check Dam Alternative. This alternative that would consist of a 
series of flow restriction structures, strategically located on the 
mainstream and/or tributaries of the Chehalis River. These would 
temporarily store flood water on selected areas of the existing rural/
agricultural floodplain and reduce flood peaks downstream. This 
alternative would not interfere with fish

[[Page 48995]]

passage during non-flood flows. Some possible sites include Chehalis 
River near Mellen Street, Salzer Creek, Chehalis River downstream of 
the South Fork, the lower South Fork, and Chehalis River upstream of 
the South Fork.
    5. Levee Alternative. This alternative consists of a levee system 
to protect Bucoda, Centralia, Chehalis, and the immediate urbanized 
area.
    6. Non-Structural Alternative Measures. This alternative would 
include such measures as such as flood warning system improvements, 
structure relocation, structure floodproofing, structure raising, 
bridge/road/railroad modifications, etc.

Scoping

    Public involvement will be sought during scoping and preparation of 
the EIS in accordance with NEPA procedures. A public scoping process 
has been started 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. This Notice of Intent formally commences the scoping 
process under NEPA. As part of the scoping process, all affected 
Federal, State and local agencies, Native American Nations, and other 
interested private organizations, 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 Corps has identified the following key areas so far to be 
analyzed in depth in the draft EIS:

(1) Flooding Characteristics
(2) Impacts to Fish and Wildlife Habitat
(3) Impacts to Wetlands
(4) Impacts to Riparian Areas
(5) Impacts to Cultural and Historical Resources
(6) Social and Economic Concerns
(7) Transportation
(8) Hazardous Materials

Scoping Meeting

    Opportunity to comment will also be available at the project 
scoping meeting that 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 EIS mailing 
list.

Availability of the Draft EIS

    The Corps expects to complete preparation of the draft EIS and have 
review copies of it available by December 2000.
James M. Rigsby,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 99-23354 Filed 9-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3701-ER-M