[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 51768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22023]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Coldwater River Basin Below Arkabutla Lake, MS, Project

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The study area is located in the Coldwater River Watershed in 
northwest Mississippi, approximately 10 miles southwest of Memphis, TN. 
The northwest part of this watershed below Arkabutla Lake is the object 
of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and lies primarily in 
Tunica County and includes portions of De Soto, Coahoma, Quitman, and 
Tate Counties. Primary streams represented in the study area include 
Coldwater River, McKinney Bayou, Lake Cormorant Bayou, White Oak Bayou, 
Muddy Bayou, Phillips Bayou, and David Bayou. The primary focus of the 
EIS is to evaluate features designed to alleviate water resource 
problems in the study area. The local cost-sharing project sponsors are 
the Tunica County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Yazoo-
Mississippi Delta Joint Water Management District.

DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held on September 23, 2003, at 
7 p.m. in the Economic Development Building, 3092 U.S. Highway 61 
South, Tunica, MS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and Draft EIS should be directed to Ms. Karen Dove-Jackson (telephone 
(601) 631-7136), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, 
ATTN: CEMVK-PP-PQ, 4155 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180-3435.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This project is authorized by Senate 
Resolution adopted June 29, 1973, by the Committee on Public Works of 
the U.S. Senate. The resolution reads as follows:

    ``Resolved by the Committee on Public Works of the United States 
Senate, That the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, is hereby requested 
to review the report on the Mississippi River and Tributaries 
Project contained in House Document No. 308, 88th Congress, 2d 
Session, and other reports with a view to determining whether any 
modifications of the recommendations contained therein are advisable 
at the present time with reference to providing a plan for the 
development, utilization and conservation of water related land 
resources of the Yazoo Basin, including the backwater areas of the 
Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. Such study should include appropriate 
considerations of the needs for flood protection, wise use of flood 
plain lands, bank stabilization, navigation facilities, regional 
water supply and waste water management facilities systems, general 
recreation facilities, enhancement and control of water quality, 
enhancement and conservation of fish and wildlife and other measures 
for the protection and enhancement of the environment.''

    1. A Section 905(b) reconnaissance analysis was conducted for the 
Coldwater River Basin Below Arkabutla Lake, Mississippi, project, and 
it was determined that the planning process should proceed into the 
more detailed feasibility phase based on a preliminary appraisal of 
Federal interest, estimated costs, potential benefits, and possible 
environmental impacts of various alternatives. The Feasibility Cost-
Sharing Agreement was signed by the Vicksburg District and project 
sponsors on June 18, 2003. The District Engineer has decided to prepare 
a Draft EIS to fully address/evaluate problems and potential solutions 
and/or opportunities within the Coldwater River Basin Below Arkabutla 
Lake, Mississippi, project area.
    2. The proposed action involves the development of an integrated 
and comprehensive plan for addressing multiple project objectives, 
including water quality, local drainage, low stream base flows, and 
flood damage reduction from expected increases in development in the 
study area.
    3. A public scoping meeting will be held in Tunica, Mississippi, in 
the Economic Development Building, on September 23, 2003 (See DATES). 
Significant issues identified during this scoping process will be 
analyzed in depth in the Draft EIS. The U.S. Coast Guard; Natural 
Resources Conservation Service; U.S. Forest Service; Environmental 
Protection Agency; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Mississippi 
Department of Environmental Quality; and Mississippi Department of 
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will be invited to become cooperating 
agencies. Federally recognized Indian tribes will also be invited to 
become cooperators. These agencies and tribes will be asked to 
participate in the review of data and the feasibility report and 
appendixes.
    4. Upon completion, the Draft EIS will be distributed for agency 
and public review and comment. Additionally, a public meeting will be 
held to present results of the Draft EIS evaluations and the 
recommended plan.
    5. The Draft EIS is estimated to be completed in May 2007.

    Dated: August 15, 2003.
Frederick L. Clapp, Jr.,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 03-22023 Filed 8-27-03; 8:45 am]
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