[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39499-39500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18983]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement (DPEIS) for Potential Multi-Objective Projects in the Lower 
Colorado River Basin and Associated Tributaries for Flood Damage 
Reduction, Ecosystem Restoration, and Recreation Currently in and 
Around Austin, TX

AGENCY: United States Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The DPEIS shall investigate alternative solutions, both 
structural and non-structural, for identified water resource problems, 
needs, and opportunities within the Lower Colorado River Basin and 
associated tributaries. Several areas along the Onion Creek Basin, a 
tributary of the Colorado River, have been identified for which 
multiobjective flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration 
solutions appear feasible. In addition, other flood damage areas have 
been identified along Shoal Creek, Walnut Creek and the Highland Lake 
areas, all located in the vicinity of Austin, Texas and along the 
Colorado River Basin in the vicinity of Wharton, Texas. Onion, Shoal, 
and Walnut Creeks are located within a designated urban growth corridor 
for the City of Austin. Continued flood damages would be expected in 
the absence of flood damage reduction measures. The Highland lakes 
(Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis, and Austin) are located on 
the Colorado River upstream from the City of Austin. Continued 
urbanization in and around these lakes is expected to increased 
potential flood damages. Based on preliminary studies, conducted by the 
Corps of Engineers, there are approximately 25,000 structures located 
within the 100-year floodplain of the Lower Colorado River Basin.
    This action is pursued under the authority of the Flood Control Act 
of 1936; the Resolution by the Committee on Commerce, United States 
Senate, adopted in 1936; the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1937; the River 
and Harbor Act of 1945; and the Resolution by the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of 
Representatives, adopted in 1998. Onion Creek was previously identified 
as a candidate stream system/watershed for non-structural flood damage 
reduction and ecosystem restoration under the Challenge XXI initiative 
of the Clean Water Action Plan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions pertaining to the proposed 
action and DEIS can be answered by: Mr. Thomas R. Vogt, CESWF-PM-C, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, P.O. Box 17300, 
Forth Worth, Texas 76102-0300, (817) 978-2669.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Utilizing previous Corps of Engineers 
studies, and more recent studies conducted by the City of Austin and 
the Lower Colorado River Authority, alternatives will be developed and 
evaluated for the purposes of flood damage reduction, ecosystem 
restoration, recreation, and allied purposes. Non-structural measures 
for reducing flood damages, which would likely include acquisition and 
removal, floodproofing, or raising of existing structures, would create 
additional opportunities for habitat restoration and recreation. 
Structural measures to be investigated include: Diversion channels and/
or channel modifications of various widths, levees and floodwalls of 
various heights, upstream detention reservoirs, aquifer recharge 
enhancements, and/or a combination of these measures. In addition to 
the structural and non-structural measures mentioned above, ecosystem 
restoration alternatives will be developed and evaluated. Ecosystem 
restoration alternatives may include: Riparian corridor restoration, 
protection, and expansion, greenbelts, and potential wetland 
construction at abandoned or existing quarries. It is anticipated that 
these ecosystem restoration measures would aid in improving water 
quality and aquifer recharge, optimize aquatic and terrestrial habitat 
along waterways, slow erosion and scouring of the stream

[[Page 39500]]

banks, and provide scenic parks and recreation areas for the residents.
    The public will be invited to participate in the Scoping process, 
review of the draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, and 
public meetings. The location and time of the scoping meetings will be 
announced in the local news media. Release of the draft DPEIS for 
public comment and public meetings will also be announced in the local 
news media, as these dates are established.
    Future coordination with other agencies will be conducted 
accordingly to insure participation and aid in the development of the 
DPEIS. All affected Federal, state, and local agencies, affected Indian 
tribes, and other interested private organizations and parties are 
hereby invited to participate. Future coordination will also be 
conducted, with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The 
Service will furnish information on threatened and endangered species 
in accordance with the Endangered Species Act and they will also be 
requested to provide support with planning aid and to provide a 
Coordination Act Report. The State Historic Preservation Officer and 
the Advisory Council on historic preservation will be consulted for 
information in accordance with Section 106 of the Historic Preservation 
Act.

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-18983 Filed 7-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-20-M