[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 45292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21697]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Rio Salado Oeste Feasibility Study, Phoenix, AZ

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will 
prepare a DEIS to support the Rio Salado Oeste Feasibility Study, 
Phoenix, Arizona. The study area is the Salt River (Rio Salado in 
Spanish) between 19th Avenue and 83rd Avenue. This study will 
investigate feasible alternatives to restore the native riparian 
ecosystem, to increase passive recreation associated with the ecosystem 
restoration, and to improve flood control. The DEIS will analyze the 
potential impacts (beneficial and adverse) on the environment of a 
range of alternatives, including the recommended plan.
    The Los Angeles District and the City of Phoenix will cooperate in 
conducting this feasibility study.

ADDRESSES: District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles 
District, ATTN: CESPL-PD-RQ (R. Farve), P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, 
California 90053-2325.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rey Favre, Environmental 
Coordinator, telephone (213)-452-3864, or Ms. Kayla Eckert, Study 
Manager, telephone (602)-640-2003.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Authorization. This feasibility study is conducted under the 
authority given in Section 6 of the Flood Control Act of 1938, dated 
June 28, 1938, and in accordance with House Resolution 2425 (HR 2425), 
dated May 17, 1994. HR 2425 states, in part: ``* * * the Secretary of 
Army is requested to review reports of the Chief of Engineers on the 
State of Arizona * * * in the interest of flood damage reduction, 
environmental protection and restoration and related purposes.''
    2. Background. The feasibility study area is located on the Salt 
River (Rio Salado in Spanish) in Phoenix, Arizona, between 19th Avenue 
and 83rd Avenue. The Rio Salado Oeste (Salt River--West) study area is 
just west of the authorized Rio Salado project and just east of the 
authorized Tres Rios Project. Like the Tres Rios and Rio Salado 
Projects, the primary purpose of the Rio Salado Oeste Study is 
environmental restoration. The non-federal sponsor of the feasibility 
study is the City of Phoenix.
    3. Alternatives. The Los Angeles district will investigate and 
evaluate all reasonable alternatives to provide for the restoration of 
Sonoran riparian vegetation and associated native wildlife, to improve 
flood control along the river between 67th and 75th Avenues, and to 
increase passive recreation and educational opportunities inked to the 
restoration of the environment. Significant beneficial impacts to the 
environment are expected from the restoration native riparian habitats 
in the area.
    4. Scoping Process. Participation of all interested Federal, State, 
and County agencies, groups with environmental interests, and any 
interested individuals are encouraged. Public involvement will be most 
beneficial and worthwhile in identifying the scope of pertinent, 
significant environmental issues to be addressed, identifying and 
eliminating from detailed study issues that are not significant, 
offering useful information such as published or unpublished data, 
providing direct personal experience or knowledge which informs 
decision making, and recommending suitable mitigation measures to 
offset potential impacts from the proposed action or alternatives.
    A public scoping meeting has been tentatively scheduled for 
sometime in September 2001. When available, the specific date, time, 
and location of this meeting will be announced in a mailing to those on 
the mailing list developed for this project, and announced through 
local media channels. The purpose of the scoping meeting will be to 
gather information from the general public or interested organizations 
about issues and concerns that they would like to see addressed in the 
DEIS. Comments may be delivered in writing or verbally at the meeting 
or sent in writing to the Los Angeles District at the address given 
above. The scoping period will conclude 60 days after publication of 
this NOI.
    5. Availability of the DEIS. The DEIS is expected to be available 
to the public for review and comment beginning in the summer of 2004.

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. 01-21697 Filed 8-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-KF-M