[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10670-10671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3846]


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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 Illinois River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Report, 
Illinois

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: A DEIS will be prepared to address the Illinois River 
Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Report, a systemic evaluation of 
identify

[[Page 10671]]

problems and opportunities related to sedimentation and habitat 
degradation in the Illinois River Basin and to identify potential 
restoration projects and a prioritization framework.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and DEIS can be answered by calling Mr. Ken Barr, 309/794-5256, or by 
writing to: Commander, U.S. Army Engineer District, Rock Island, ATTN: 
CEMVR-PM-A (Ken Barr), Clock Tower Building, P.O. Box 2004, Rock 
Island, Illinois 61204-2004.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Illinois River Ecosystem Restoration 
Feasibility Report is being conducted under the Corps of Engineers 
General Investigations Program in partnership with the Illinois 
Department of Natural Resources. The study was authorized by Section 
216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970. Supplemental authorization is 
provided by Section 519 of the Water Resources Development of 2000, 
which authorizes development of a comprehensive plan for the purposes 
of restoring, preserving, and protecting the Illinois River Basin. The 
Illinois Waterway System is being reviewed for changed physical and 
economic conditions that may warrant structural or operation 
modifications to improve the quality of the environment. The study area 
includes the entire Illinois River Watershed.
    1. During the reconnaissance study, the primary problems identified 
were sedimentation and degradation of the environmental conditions of 
the Illinois Waterway System. This study will identify ecosystem 
restoration efforts which could address these problems.
    2. Ecosystem restoration alternatives to address sedimentation and 
habitat degradation that have been identified to date include the 
following: stabilization of tributary watersheds, modification of 
Illinois River side channel and backwater habitats, water level 
management to reduce rapid fluctuations and naturalized flows, and 
restoration and protection of floodplan habitats. Combinations of 
these, along with the ``No Action'' alternative, are being evaluated to 
form an array of alternatives which will eventually result in a 
recommended plan.
    3. The DEIS will address impacts associated with the general types 
of restoration alternatives proposed. Supplemental documentation will 
be prepared, as appropriate, to address site-specific impacts of 
restoration alternatives.
    4. Previous scoping information developed as part of the Upper 
Mississippi River--Illinois Waterway Environmental Management Program 
(EMP), the EMP Habitat Needs Assessment, and the State of Illinois 
Integrated Management Plan for the Illinois River Watershed, Upper 
Mississippi and Illinois Waterway Cumulative Effects Study were 
considered for initial study scoping efforts. A coordinating body with 
representatives from Federal, State, and local government and non-
governmental organizations will be established to promote dialogue and 
coordination. Study newsletters will be sent to a mailing list of 
approximately 2,000 individuals and organizations approximately 8 times 
during the 4-year study. A series of public meetings will be held three 
times during the feasibility study. Each of the three series of 
meetings will be held at six or more sites within the Illinois River 
Basin. The first series of meetings were held in November and December 
2000 and February 2001. The second and third series of meetings will 
occur at the study mid-point and the study's conclusion, respectively. 
Interested Federal, State, and local agencies, Indian tribes, and other 
interested private organizations and citizens are invited to 
participate.
    5. Significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the DEIS are as 
follows:
    a. Water/Tributary Restoration--evaluate options to address 
tributary degradation and instability looking at stream and wetlands 
restoration, water retention, conservation easements, and riparian 
buffers;
    b. Side Channel and Backwater Restoration--consider opportunities 
to restore aquatic habitats in these areas, including off-channel deep-
water habitat, backwater lakes, side channels, islands, etc;
    c. Water Level Management--evaluate options to reduce rapid 
fluctuations and naturalize flows; and,
    d. Floodplan Restoration and Protection--floodplain use, potential 
restoration of floodplain function, and value and potential for 
acquisition of conservation easements.
    6. Any subsequent environment review will be conducted according to 
the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, National 
Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, 
Farmland Protection Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Executive 
Order 11988--Floodplain Management, Executive Order 11990--Protection 
of Wetlands, and other environmental regulations.
    7. Scoping meetings were held on November 29, 2000, and December 4, 
5, and 6, 2000. Additional scoping meetings are scheduled for February 
20, 2001, in Grafton, Illinois; February 26, 2001, in Utica, Illinois; 
and February 27, 2001, in Macomb, Illinois. Notification of these 
meetings will be made available to local media.
    8. The DEIS is anticipated to be provided to the public in fall 
2003. The EIS will be supplemented, as appropriate.

    Dated: January 26, 2001.
William J. Bayles,
Colonel, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 01-3846 Filed 2-15-01; 8:45 am]
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