[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]
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