[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71124-71125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32883]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the Proposed Tres Rios Environmental Restoration, 
Maricopa County, Arizona

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Tres Rios study area is 9 miles long and one mile wide, 
encompassing approximately 5,600 acres. The area gets its name because 
it is located at the confluence of the Salt, Gila and Agua Fria rivers. 
The Salt runs into the Gila just upstream of 115th Avenue; the Agua 
Fria runs into the Gila at the western end of the study area.
    The feasibility study showed an opportunity exists ``to restore 
riparian habitat within the study areas, as well as to address flooding 
problems and the recreation needs of the study area.'' Following 
studies of several alternatives, a plan was selected that is 
technically feasible, economically efficient, and environmentally 
sound.
    The source of water for the river is effluent from the 91st Avenue 
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The study notes the water also can 
be used for constructed wetlands that would provide areas for new 
wildlife habitat, education and recreation. The wetlands would further 
enhance the high quality of water released from the WWTP.
    Characteristics of the plan include a regulating wetland to provide 
a more constant rate of discharge from the 91st Avenue WWTP, 
constructed wetlands arranged in a line along the north bank of the 
river, a pipeline leading from overbank wetlands to riparian corridors 
west of El Mirage Road, open water and marsh areas within the river 
channel, west of El Mirage Road, large open water/marsh areas along the 
south side of the river channel, and flood control levees.
    The proposed project is expected to have significant beneficial 
environmental impacts. Restoring native riparian and wetland vegetation 
to the Salt/Gila River is expected to benefit several native wildlife 
species and threatened and endangered species. No long-term adverse 
ecological or environmental health effects are expected due to the 
proposed environmental restoration. No significant impacts are expected 
to occur.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on the Draft 
Feasability Report contact Mr. Mike Ternak, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Los Angeles District, Attn: CESPL-PD-WC, 3636 N. Central 
Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85012-1936 at (602) 640-2003, and for information on 
the DEIS contact Mr. Alex Watt, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los 
Angeles District, Attn: CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles CA 
90053 at (213) 452-3860.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a 
DEIS to assess the environmental effects associated with the proposed 
Tres Rios environmental restoration. The public will have the 
opportunity to comment on this analysis before any action is taken to 
implement the proposed action.

Scoping

    The Army Corps of Engineers conducted a scoping meeting prior to 
preparing the Environmental Impact Statement to aid in determining the 
significant environmental issues associated with the proposed action. 
The meeting was held at the Estrella Mountain Community College, 300 
N., Dysart Road, Avondale, Arizona on September 16, 1997.
    A public hearing to receive comments on the DEIS will be held in 
conjunction with the public meeting to present the feasibility report. 
The public hearings will be held in Tolleson, Arizona on January 10, 
2000 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Tolleson High school Auditorium, 9419 W. 
Van Buren Street, Tolleson, AZ 85353. The location, date, and time of 
the public hearing will be announced in the local news media, and 
separate notice will also be sent to all parties on the project mailing 
list.
    Individuals and agencies may offer information, comments, or data 
relevant to the environmental or socioeconomic impacts by attending the 
public hearing meeting, or by mailing the information to Mr. Alex Watt 
at the address below prior to January 31, 2000. Comments, suggestions, 
and requests to be placed on the mailing list for announcements and for 
the Draft DEIS, should be sent to Alex Watt, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Los Angeles District, Attn: CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, 
Los Angeles CA 90053.

Availability of the Draft EIS

    Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the following 
locations:

City of Phoenix, Planning Department, 200 W. Washington Street, 6th 
Floor, Phoenix, AZ
Arizona State University West Library, 4701 W. Thunderbird Dr., 
Glendale, AZ

[[Page 71125]]

Avondale Library, 328 Western Ave., Avondale, AZ
Buckeye Public Library, 311 N. 6th St., Buckeye, AZ
Central Phoenix Library, 1221 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ
Desert Sage Library, 7602 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, AZ
Estrella Mountain Community College Library, 3000 N. Dysart Rd., 
Avondale, AZ
Glendale Public Library, 5959 W. Brown, Glendale, AZ
Grand Canyon University Library, 3300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ
Kino Institute and Library, 1224 E. Northern Ave., Phoenix, AZ
Litchfield Park Library Association, 101 W. Indian School Rd., 
Litchfield Park, AZ
Luke Air Force Base Library, 7424 N. Homer Dr., Glendale, AZ
Sun City Library, 16828 N. 99th Ave., Sun City, AZ
Sun Health Community Education Center & Library, 14501 W. Granite 
Valley Dr., Sun City Wests, AZ Tolleson Library, 9555 W. Van Buren St., 
Tolleson, AZ
Youngtown Library, 12035 Clubhouse Square, Youngtown, AZ
Arizona State University, Hayden Library, Reference Department, Tempe, 
AZ
University of Arizona, Main Library, Main Reference Department, 1510 E. 
University, Tucson, AZ
Flood Control District of Maricopa County, 2801 West Durango, Phoenix, 
AZ
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Section C, 3636 N. Central 
Avenue, Suite 740, Phoenix, AZ
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Environmental 
Resources Branch, 911 Wilshire Boulevard, 14th Floor, Los Angeles, CA

    For a copy of the DEIS or for further information, please contact 
Mr. Mike Ternak, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, 
Attn: CESPL-PD-WC, 3636 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012-1936 at 
(602) 640-2003. Written comments on the DEIS can be sent to Mr. Alex 
Watt, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Attn: CESPL-
PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, CA 80053 or Faxed to him at (213) 
452-4204.

    Dated: December 13, 1999.
Charles V. Landry,
Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Acting District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 99-32883 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-KF-M