[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 88 (Friday, May 5, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26194-26195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11294]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent and Notice of Preparation for a Draft 
Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/
EIS) for a Proposed Flood Reduction Investigation in Yolo County, 
California

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The action being taken is the development of a joint draft 
EIS/EIR to identify and assess the significance of potential measures 
that would reduce flood damages to the city of Woodland, adjacent 
unincorporated areas, and agricultural lands of Yolo County, and 
improve the conveyance of the hydraulic system for the Lower Cache 
Creek area. The intent of the draft EIS/EIR is to describe and evaluate 
the potential effects of the proposed alternatives on environmental 
resources in the study area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and draft EIS/EIR can be answered by Patti Johnson at (916) 557-6611 or 
by mail at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, ATTN: 
CESPK-PD-R, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-2922.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Proposed Action.--The Corps in 
cooperation with the non-Federal sponsors (The Reclamation Board of the 
State of California and the City of Woodland) is conducting a cost-
shared feasibility study on alternative flood damage reduction measures 
to the city of Woodland, Yolo County, California, adjacent 
unincorporated areas, and agricultural lands. The study is authorized 
by section 209 of the Flood Control Act of 1962 (Public Law 87-874). A 
reconnaissance study of flooding problems in the westside tributaries, 
including Putah and Cache Creeks, and the Yolo Bypass was conducted in 
1993-1994 under the authorization of the Energy and Water Development 
Appropriations Act of 1993. Information resulting from this 
reconnaissance report is providing some data for the present 
feasibility study.
    2. Alternatives.--The feasibility study's draft EIS/EIR will 
address a combination of one or more flood control measures including 
setback levees along Cache Creek, stream channel improvements, a north 
Woodland floodway, and a no-action alternative. Mitigation measures for 
any significant adverse effects on environmental resources will be 
identified and incorporated into the alternatives in compliance with 
various Federal and State statutes.
    3. Scoping Process.--a. The study plan provides for public scoping, 
meetings, and comment. The Corps has initiated a process of involving 
concerned Federal, State, and local agencies and individuals. The City 
of Woodland Task Force has held periodic public meetings to discuss 
issues and solicit public comment.
    b. Public involvement during the reconnissance phase of the study 
included the ``Notice of Initiation of a Reconnaissance Study, Westside 
Tributaries to Yolo Bypass, Flood Control Investigation, California,'' 
that was sent to Federal, State, county, and city agencies and other 
interested groups and individuals in May 1993. The Corps participated 
in a number of meetings with the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and 
the Yolo-Solano Flood Control Task Force to brief participants 
including other public agencies, organizations, and interested 
individuals on the proposed alternatives. Comments received focused on 
flooding along Cache Creek, land subsidence, gravel mining, and effects 
of the alternatives on the Cache Creek Settling Basin. On April 15 and 
May 6, 1996, the Corps held public workshops in Woodland to present the 
study result and discuss the procedures to complete the reconnaissance 
phase and initiate the feasibility phase of the study.
    c. Issues that will be analyzed in depth in the draft EIS/EIR 
include effects on vegetation and wildlife, special-status species, 
water quality, air quality, socio-economic conditions, and cultural 
resources. Other issues may include geology, soils, topography, noise, 
esthetics, climate and recreation.

[[Page 26195]]

    d. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide the Fish and 
Wildlife Coordination Act Report.
    e. A 45-day review period will be allowed for all interested 
agencies and individuals to review and comment on the draft EIS/EIR. 
All interested persons are encouraged to respond to this notice and 
provide a current address if they wish to be contacted about the draft 
EIS/EIR.
    4. A public scoping meeting will be held on May 30, 2000, from 7 
p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Heidrick Ag History Center at 1962 Hays Lane in 
Woodland, Yolo County, California.
    5. Availability. The draft EIS/EIR is scheduled to be available for 
public review in August 2001.

    Dated: April 17, 2000.
Robert A. O'Brien III,
LTC, EN, Acting Commander.
[FR Doc. 00-11294 Filed 5-4-00; 8:45 am]
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