[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 109 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38944-38945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14230]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Malibu Creek Enrivonmental Restoration Feasibility Study, Los Angeles 
County, CA

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

ACTION:  Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to support the 
Malibu Creek Environmental Restoration Feasibility Study, Los Angeles 
County, CA. Approximately two-thirds of the watershed is in Los Angeles 
County while the remaining one-third is in Ventura County. The 
feasibility study area is the Rindge Dam, which is located 2 miles 
upstream of Malibu Lagoon, and the areas immediately upstream and 
downstream of the dam. This study will investigate feasible 
alternatives to restore the Malibu Creek ecosystem, primarily by 
removing Rindge Dam. Also, feasible alternatives for the removal of 
sediment behind the dam and the beneficial use of that sediment will be 
investigated.
    The Draft EIS (DEIS) will analyze the potential environmental 
impacts (beneficial and adverse) of a range of alternatives, including 
the proposed action and the no action alternative. The Los Angeles 
District and California Department of Parks and Recreation will 
cooperate in conducting this feasibility study.

ADDRESSES: District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles 
District, ATTN: CESPL-PD-RQ (B. Hulkower), P.O. Box 532711, Los 
Angeles, CA 90035-2325.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Bonnie Hulkower, Environmental 
Coordinator, telephone (213) 452-3861, or Mr. Jason Shea, Study 
Manager, telephone (213) 452-3794.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authorization

    This feasibility study was authorized by a resolution adopted by 
the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and 
Transportation, dated 5th February 1992, which states, in part: ``that 
the Board of Engineers is requested to review the report of the Chief 
of Engineers on Point Magu to San Pedro Breakwater, California Beach 
Erosion Control Study, published as House Document 277, 83rd Congress, 
2nd Session, and other pertinent reports, to determine whether any 
modifications of the recommendations contained therein are advisable at 
the present time, in the interest of shore protection, storm damage 
reduction, and other purposes along the shores of Southern California 
from Point Mugu to the San Pedro Breakwater and nearby areas within 
Ventura County and Los Angeles County, California.''

2. Background

    Malibu Creek is located approximately 30 miles west of downtown Los 
Angeles, California. The drainage area covers approximately 109 square 
miles of the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills. The feasibility 
study area currently includes the Rindge Dam, which is located 2 miles 
upstream of Malibu Lagoon. The non-federal sponsor of the feasibility 
study is the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
    The Rindge family constructed Rindge Dam in the Mid 1920's. The 
purpose of the dam was to provide approximately 574 acre-feet of water 
storage for agricultural needs. Rindge Dam is a concrete arch structure 
90 feet in height with an arc length of 175 feet at its crest. Sediment 
carrier by Malibu Creek has deposited behind the dam and filled the 
reservoir, rendering the structure useless as a water storage facility. 
It is estimated that approximately 700,000 cubic yards of sediment lies 
trapped behind the dam.
    Rindge Dam no longer serves the purpose that it was originally 
created for. It neither provides water storage nor flood control 
protection due to sedimentation behind the dam. During peak events, the 
entire flow of Malibu Creek rises over the dam's crest. However, the 
dam does provide bank stability protection since its construction 
created a milder slope along the Malibu Creek. This requires some 
consideration as removing the dam could potentially cause the channel 
banks to erode.
    Presently, the dam is considered to be a contributing factor of the 
declining numbers of steelhead trout in the Malibu Creek Watershed. If 
no action is taken to secure passage for the steelhead trout to reach 
the upper watershed and its tributaries, the dam will continue to 
obstruct this endangered species from reaching the upstream portion of 
the watershed, thereby limiting the amount of spawning and rearing 
habitat.

3. Alternatives

    The feasibility study will focus on addressing the problems and 
needs caused by Rindge Dam with the primary objective of the 
feasibility study being to restore the Malibu Creek ecosystem. Other 
objective that are considered appropriate may involve possible 
beneficial use of the sediment behind the dam for beach nourishment or 
other environmental restoration.
    In general, alternative plans will investigate reasonable 
alternatives to restore Malibu Creek, primarily by removing Rindge Dam. 
Feasible alternatives for the removal of sediment behind the dam and 
the beneficial use of that sediment will also be investigated. 
Significant beneficial impacts to the riparian ecosystem (especially to 
steelhead trout) are expected from restoration alternatives identified 
in the feasibility study.

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, 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 was held on May 29, 2002, from 7 until 9 
p.m. at the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Training Room, 4232 
Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA, as advertised in local newspapers. 
The purpose of the scoping meeting was to gather information from the 
public or interested organizations about issues and concerns that they 
would like to see addressed in the DEIS. The Los Angeles District is 
accepting comments delivered or sent in writing to the address above. 
The scoping period will conclude August 5, 2002.

[[Page 38945]]

5. Availability of the DEIS

    The DEIS is expected to be available to the public for review and 
comment beginning in the spring of 2004.

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-14230 Filed 6-5-02; 8:45 am]
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