[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 172 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52757-52758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22633]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Pike 
County, KY (Levisa Fork Basin), Section 202 Project

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD, Huntington District will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will evaluate potential 
impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment as a result of 
the proposed flood damage reduction measure for the Levisa Fork and 
Russell Fork basins in Pike County, Kentucky.
    The Corps of Engineers will conduct a public scoping meeting to 
gain input from interested agencies, organizations, and the general 
public concerning the content of the EIS, issues and impacts to be 
addressed in the EIS, and alternatives that should be analyzed. The 
meeting is scheduled for:
    Date: Sept. 25, 2003.
    Time: 7:00-10:00 PM.
    Place: Pikeville High School, 120 Championship Drive, Pikeville, KY 
41501.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions concerning this 
proposed project to S. Michael Worley PM-PD, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, WV 
25701-2070. Telephone: (304) 529-5712. Electronic mail: 
Stephen.M.Worley@Lrh01. usace.army.mil. requests to be placed on the 
mailing list should also be sent to this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mark D. Kessinger PM-P, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, 
WV, 25701-2070. Telephone: (304) 529-5083. Electronic mail: 
usace.army.mil">Mark.d.kessinger@usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Authority: The proposed project is 
authorized under section 202 of the Water Resources Development Act 
(WRDA) of 1996, which provides the Corps authority to ``* * * design 
and construct flood control measures relating to the Levisa and Tug 
Fork of the Big Sandy River and Cumberland River, West Virginia, 
Kentucky and Virginia.''
    2. Background: Since the earliest Levisa Fork Basin settlements, 
the residents faced the problem of frequent and severe flooding. Many 
Pike County communities within the floodplain of the Levisa and Russell 
Fork and tributaries were devastated by the April 1977 flood, which was 
the flood of record for much of the region. A significant flood again 
inundated the Levisa Fork communities in May of 1984. Congressional 
reaction to these flood events resulted in the inclusion of funds and 
language in various legislative directives that mandated expeditious 
implementation of flood damage reduction measures within the study area 
covered by the Huntington District's section 202 General Plan.
    The study area, primarily residential in nature, includes the 
incorporated areas of Pikeville, Coal Run, Elkhorn City, and 
unincorporated areas in the county subject to flood damage from the 
potential of a reoccurrence of the April 1977 flood. The project 
requires providing flood protection measures to approximately 2,000 
structures, 75 percent of which are residential.
    Alternatives being initially considered include floodwall/levee 
systems protecting Pikeville and Coal Run, non-structural flood-
proofing and several ring walls protecting individual structures. 
Alternatives to be evaluated in detail in the Draft EIS will be 
selected from those described above.
    3. Public Participation: The Corps invites full public 
participation to promote open communication and better decision-making. 
All persons and organizations that have an interest in the Levisa Fork 
Basin flooding problems as they affect Pike County and the environment 
are urged to participate in this NEPA environmental analysis process. 
Assistance will be provided upon request to anyone having difficulty 
with learning how to participate.
    Public comments are welcomed anytime throughout the NEPA process. 
Formal opportunities for public participation include: (1) A public 
meeting will be held in the community of Pikeville, KY; (2) anytime 
during the NEPA process via mail, telephone or e-mail; (3) during 
Review and Comment on the Draft EIS--approximately January of 2004; 
and, (4) review of the Final EIS--Spring 2004. Schedules and locations 
will be announced in local news media. Interested parties should submit 
contact information to be included on the mailing list of public

[[Page 52758]]

distribution of meeting announcements and documents (See ADDRESSES).

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-22633 Filed 9-4-03; 8:45 am]
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