[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 104 (Tuesday, May 30, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 34453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13345]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


 Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the White River Minimum Flow Study, Arkansas and Missouri

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of the EIS is to address alternatives and impacts 
pertaining to reallocation of water storage at five reservoirs in the 
White River System (Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork, and 
Greers Ferry) as authorized by section 374, ``White River Basin, 
Arkansas and Missouri'' of P.L. 106-53 (Water Resources Development Act 
of 1999).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or comments concerning the 
proposed action should be addressed to Mr. Jim Ellis, Environmental 
Team Leader, Planning Branch, P.O. Box 867, Little Rock, Arkansas 
72203-0867, telephone 501-324-5033, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals 
Lake, Norfork Lake, and Greers Ferry Lake were authorized for the 
purposes of flood control, hydroelectric power generation, water 
supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife. Each of these lakes has 
specifically authorized storage for the purposes of flood control and 
hydropower generation. Beaver Lake and Greers Ferry Lake also have 
specifically authorized storage for water supply and Table Rock Lake 
has specifically authorized storage for fish and wildlife.
    The evaluation study and EIS for the White River Minimum Flow 
Project is being conducted in response to Section 374, ``White River 
Basin, Arkansas and Missouri'' of P.L. 106-53 (Water Resources 
Development Act of 1999).
    The study will address implementation of the reallocation of 1.5 
feet of storage from Beaver Lake, 2.0 feet of storage from Table Rock 
Lake, 5.0 feet of storage from Bull Shoals Lake, 3.5 feet of storage 
from Norfok Lake, and 3 feet of storage in Greers Ferry Lake for the 
purpose of providing minimum flows to sustain the downstream trout 
fishery. The study will evaluate impacts due to reallocation from the 
conservation pool and reallocation from the flood control pool. The 
study will also evaluate necessary structural modifications to the 
projects to achieve the desired minimum releases.
    The EIS will evaluate the effects of alternatives on the authorized 
project purposes and other identified concerns. Significant issues to 
be addressed in the EIS include: (1) Impacts on flood control; (2) 
impacts on hydropower generation; (3) impacts on recreation and 
recreation facilities; (4) impacts on structure of the dam; (5) impacts 
on dish and wildlife resources within and also above and below the 
lake; (6) impacts on downstream flows on the White River System; and 
(7) other impacts identified by the Public, agencies, or Corps studies.
    Scoping meetings for the project are planned to be conducted from 
June through September 2000. News releases informing the public and 
local, state, and Federal agencies of the proposed action will be 
published in local newspapers. Comments received as a result of this 
notice and the news releases will be used to assist the Little Rock 
District in identifying potential impacts to the quality of the human 
or natural environment.
    Affected local, state, or Federal agencies, affected Indian tribes, 
and other interested private organizations and parties may participate 
in the Scoping process by forwarding written comments to the above 
noted address or attending Scoping meetings.
    The draft EIS (DEIS) is expected to be available for public review 
and comment by December 2001 subject to receipt of Federal funding. Any 
comments and suggestions should be forwarded to the above noted address 
no later than November 1, 2000, to be considered in the DEIS.

Douglas L. Bentley, Jr.,
Major, Corps of Engineers, Acting District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 00-13345 Filed 5-26-00; 8:45 am]
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