[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 227 (Friday, November 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 66464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30743]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Mill Creek, Ohio Local Flood Protection Project General 
Reevaluation Report

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1970 (PL 91-611), the 
objective of the Reevaluation Study and DEIS, is to identify a flood 
damage reduction plan that will yield a functionally, economically, and 
environmentally sound project to reduce damages to communities in 
Hamilton County, Ohio from flooding of Mill Creek and its tributaries. 
The DEIS will assess the potential impacts of the alternatives upon 
social and economic and natural resources.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert C. Kanzinger by phone at (502) 
582-5774, facsimile at (502) 582-6734, mail at U.S. Army Engineer 
District, Louisville, ATTN: CELRI-PD-E (Kanzinger), P.O. Box 59, 
Louisville, KY 40201-0059, or email at robert.c.kanzinger@
lr102.usace.army.mil

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    Flooding has been a chronic problem on Mill Creek for some time. 
Following the original authorization of the Mill Creek Local Protection 
Project, in 1970, a Local Cooperation Agreement (LCA) for construction 
of the project was executed in 1975. Construction was initiated in 1981 
and suspended in 1992 with approximately 50 percent of the authorized 
project complete. Project construction was suspended at the direction 
of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, for the 
following reasons: (1) Problems in acquiring real estate and 
relocations for the remaining sections, (2) project costs had grown 
126% since authorization, (3) likely contamination by hazardous 
materials from old land fills along uncompleted portions of the 
project, and (4) problems in operating and maintaining the completed 
sections.

2. Proposed Action

    The Corps, in cooperation with the local sponsor, Millcreek Valley 
Conservancy District (MVCD), is conducting a feasibility investigation 
to reevaluate alternatives for flood damage reduction. This 
investigation proposes to reduce the flood hazards currently associated 
with flood flows from Mill Creek and its tributaries.

3. Action Alternatives To Be Considered

    Considered alternatives include: constructed wetlands/detention 
areas, levees and pump stations, channel modifications, replacement or 
modification of railroad bridges to improve flow characteristics, and 
nonstructural alternatives such as automated advance warning systems 
and structure relocations.

4. The No Action Alternative

    The consequences of taking no action will also be considered.

5. Scoping Process

    a. The Corps and MVCD is asking, herein and elsewhere, for public 
input regarding pertinent issues that need to be addressed in the EIS. 
Monthly ``Fire Side Meetings'' are being held at local communities to 
discuss flooding issues and the Reevaluation Study. Monthly meetings 
began in December 1998 and will continue at least through September 
1999 or longer if there is an interest. The Reevaluation Study has also 
been a regular agenda line item at quarterly MVCD Executive Committee 
Meetings since 1996, and will continue to be so. It is also a regular 
agenda item for quarterly Mill Creek Watershed Council (MCWC) Meetings, 
periodic MCWC Flood Control Subcommittee meetings, and monthly MCWC 
Executive Committee Meetings. A comprehensive mailing list of 
potentially interested parties is being assembled, including Federal, 
state and local agencies, and individuals. The list will be used to 
notify interested parties of opportunities to provide input to the 
scoping process.
    b. Pertinent issues identified, so far, include appropriate levels 
and alternatives for flood damage reduction, as well as potential 
effects of the alternatives on water quality, vegetation and wildlife 
resources, special status species, cultural resources, social and 
economic resources, esthetics and recreation.
    c. A 45-day public review period will be provided for individuals 
and agencies to review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS). All interested parties should respond to this notice 
and provide a current address if they wish to be notified of the date 
of scoping meetings and for receipt of the DEIS for review and comment.

6. Availability

    The DEIS is expected to be available for public review and comment 
approximately June, 2000. Notice of availability will be published in 
the Federal Register as well as mailed to everyone on the mailing list.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-30743 Filed 11-24-99; 8:45 am]
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