[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50657-50658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19705]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Centralia Flood Reduction Project, Lewis County, WA

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(USACE), Seattle District has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) examining the impacts of feasible structural and 
nonstructural alternatives to reduce flood damage within Lewis County, 
WA.
    The alternatives initially considered included: (1) No action; (2) 
modifications to Skookumchuck Dam; (3) overbank excavation and flow-way 
bypass at various locations; (4) construction of a flood levee system; 
(5) upstream flow-restriction structures and upstream flood-water 
storage; (6) non-structural flood control measures including watershed 
management, flood-proofing structures, developing evacuation plans, and 
removal of certain structures from the floodplain; and (7) a variety of 
flood control, regulatory, and planning measures developed by an 
interagency committee. After initial screening of the above 
alternatives for engineering feasibility, economic justification, 
environmental effects and other criteria, four were carried forward for 
detailed analysis: (1) Alternative 3 combined with alternative 
2 (specifically Centralia overbank excavation and Chehalis SR6 
flow-way bypass with modifications to Skookumchuck Dam); (2) 
alternative 4 combined with modifications to Skookumchuck Dam 
(preferred alternative); (3) alternative 7 combined with 
modifications to Skookumchuck Dam; and (4) no action.

DATES: The comment period for this DEIS is 45 days from the date of 
publication in the Federal Register or September 18, 2002, whichever is 
later.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted to the attention of: Mr. George A. 
Hart, Environmental Coordinator, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 
3755, Seattle, WA 98124-3755; Fax: (206) 764-4470, or e-mail 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George A. Hart at the above 
address, e-mail, or telephone (206) 764-3641.

[[Page 50658]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Chehalis River basin is located in west 
central Washington, south of Olympia. The focus of the flood damage 
reduction study encompasses the cities of Centralia and Chehalis and 
the urbanizing areas immediately adjacent to the cities.
    The cities of Centralia and Chehalis have been subject to repeated 
flooding for many years. This flooding has caused extensive damage to 
private and public property and periodic closure of critical 
transportation routes resulting in significant economic losses. Flood 
closures of the transportation routes have also significantly disrupted 
emergency response actions by local governments. Stream habitat 
functions of the Chehalis River and its tributaries have been affected 
from long-term development throughout the Chehalis Basin. This has 
resulted in the diminishment of the remaining habitat resources to 
adequately support sustainable fish and wildlife resources. The losses 
of wetlands, riparian areas, and backwater channels have also 
contributed to increased flooding in the area. The purpose of the 
Centralia-Chehalis Flood Damage Reduction study are to reduce flood 
hazards in the project area, the cities of Centralia and Chehalis, and 
the urbanizing area immediately adjacent and to incorporate appropriate 
fish and wildlife habitat improvements. Flood hazards are defined as 
significant damage to existing structures, high risk to life, and 
extended closures of transportation corridors.
    Authority for this study is contained in Section 401(a) of the 1986 
Flood Control Act (Pub. L. 99-662). This section provided authorization 
for the construction of ``works of improvement'' substantially in 
accordance with the Report of the Chief of Engineers, dated June 20, 
1984.
    Request for copies of the Centralia Flood Reduction Project DEIS or 
other information regarding this environmental analysis should be 
addressed to Mr. Hart (see ADDRESSES). Copies of the DEIS are also 
available for public inspection and review at the following locations:
    (1) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Center South, 4735 
Marginal Way, Seattle, WA 98124-2385.
    (2) Chehalis Timberland Library, 76 N.E. Part Street, P.O. Box 419, 
Chehalis, WA 98532-0419; (360) 748-3301.
    (3) Timberland Regional Library, 110 S. Silver, Centralia, WA 
98531-4296; (360) 736-0183.
    (4) Timberland Regional Library, 125 South Main Street, Montesano, 
WA 98563; (360) 249-4211.
    (5) Internet at: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/ers/doc_table.cfm.
    A public hearing on the Centralia Flood Reduction Project DEIS will 
be held August 21, 2002 at the Lewis County Court House, Lewis County, 
WA starting at 6 p.m. USACE personnel will be present to answer 
questions. The hearings will provide an opportunity for information 
exchange and discussion between USACE and the public, as well as 
opportunities for the public to present oral or written comments.

Ralph H. Graves,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 02-19705 Filed 8-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-ER-M