[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 59818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25980]


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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for Sediment Removal 
Downstream of Retamal Diversion Dam, in the Lower Rio Grande Flood 
Control Project, located in Hidalgo County, TX

AGENCY: United States Section, International Boundary and Water 
Commission, United States and Mexico.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) 
and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Final 
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508); and the U.S. Section's 
Operational Procedures for Implementing Section 102 of NEPA, published 
in the Federal Register September 2, 1981, (46 FR 44083); the U.S. 
Section hereby gives notice that the Draft Environmental Assessment and 
Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for Sediment Removal Downstream 
of Retamal Diversion Dam, in the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control 
Project, located in Hidalgo County, Texas are available.
    The project includes dredging the sediment and beneficially use or 
dispose of all the material on vacant Mexican Federal Government land 
adjacent to the river at the dredging location. The size of the project 
area is approximately 4.94 acres, which includes 2.1 acres of wetland. 
The EA analyzes potential impacts from dredging approximately 54,000 
cubic yards of sediment material, either hydraulically or mechanically, 
during the non-irrigation season between September and February when 
water levels in the Rio Grande are maintained at lower levels. 
Construction activities include transporting dredged materials to 
dewatering cells on the Mexican riverbank. A hydraulic piping system 
may be set up to transport the slurry mix directly to the final 
disposal area or the materials may be transported by trucks provided by 
Mexico, depending on the disposal method. A coffer dam may also be 
constructed to de-water alternate sides of the river during dredging 
activities. The EA provides details of the action, explains the purpose 
and need for the action, and assesses the potential impacts of the 
Proposed Action. The EA also analyzes the No Action Alternative. On the 
basis of the Draft EA, the United States Section has determined that an 
environmental impact statement is not required to implement the 
proposed action and hereby provides notice of a finding of no 
significant impact. An environmental impact statement will not be 
prepared unless additional information which may affect this decision 
is brought to our attention within thirty (30) days of the date of this 
Notice.
    The Draft EA and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact have been 
sent to the Environmental Protection Agency and various federal, state, 
and local agencies and interested parties. The Draft EA and Draft FONSI 
are available under ``What's New?'' on the USIBWC Home Page at 
www.ibwc.state.gov; the reference desk at the public libraries in 
Weslaco or Harlingen, TX; or at the USIBWC Mercedes Field Office at 325 
Golf Course Road, Mercedes, TX 78570.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft EA and Draft FONSI will be 
accepted through November 17, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and inquiries on the Draft FONSI and Draft 
EA should be directed to Mr. Daniel Borunda, 4171 N. Mesa, Suite C-100, 
El Paso, Texas 79902. Phone: (915) 832-4701, Fax: (915) 832-4167, e-
mail: [email protected].

    Dated: October 7, 2003.
Mario Lewis,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 03-25980 Filed 10-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-03-P