[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 239 (Friday, December 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69389-69390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30802]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a 
Proposed Reservoir Operating Plan in Conjunction With the Reservoir 
Operating Plan Evaluation Study for the Mississippi Headwaters

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The headwaters region of the Mississippi River, located in 
north-central Minnesota, contains a number of reservoirs operated by 
various private and public entities, including the Corps of Engineers 
(Corps) and the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service). The current 
operating plans for the Corps and Forest Service reservoirs were 
developed over 40 years ago and are in need of revision

[[Page 69390]]

because of changes in environmental, social, and economic conditions in 
the region. It is unlikely that the current operating plans provide the 
greatest net benefit to the resources of the whole system. Furthermore, 
the operations of the non-Federal (State and privately owned) 
reservoirs are not coordinated with the Federal reservoir operations. 
This hinders system-wide objectives such as flood damage reduction for 
properties adjacent to and downstream of the reservoirs.
    The proposed action is to develop a coordinated system-wide 
operational plan for implementation by the Corps and the Forest Service 
with recommendations for the operations of the non-Federal dams. The 
goal of this proposed action is to optimize the system benefits for all 
affected resources. Some resources may be adversely affected as a 
result of the proposed action. It is possible that other projects, such 
as dam modifications and habitat improvement projects, may be 
recommended under the Reservoir Operating Plan Evaluation (ROPE); 
however, the implementation of such projects may require additional 
planning and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) can be directed to: 
Colonel Robert L. Ball, District Engineer, St. Paul District, Corps of 
Engineers, ATTN: Mr. Terry J. Birkenstock, Chief, Environmental and 
Economic Analysis Branch, 190 Fifth Street East, St. Paul, MN 55101-
1638, telephone: (651) 290-5264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ROPE Study focuses on the Mississippi 
River between St. Paul and Bemidji, Minnesota. The headwaters region of 
the Mississippi River, located in north-central Minnesota, contains a 
number of reservoirs operated by various public and private entities. 
For example, the Corps operates dams on the following waterbodies: 
Leech Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Big Sandy Lake, Pine River (Whitefish 
Lake Chain), Pokegama Lake, and Gull Lake. Knutson Dam on Cass Lake is 
operated by the Forest Service. The Stump Lake Dam controls the Lake 
Bemidji lake chain and is operated by Ottertail Power Company. 
Similarly, Minnesota Power operates a power dam on the Prairie River 
upstream of Aitkin, Minnesota. Mud Lake Dam, located downstream from 
Leech Lake, is operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural 
Resources, primarily for fish and wildlife purposes.
    The original authorized purpose for the Corps dams was to provide 
low flow augmentation for navigation on the Mississippi River as far 
south as the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. However, flood 
control, recreation, hydropower, water supply, and enhanced fish and 
wildlife production have subsequently been added as authorized project 
purposes. Knutson Dam is operated by the Forest Service primarily to 
maintain lake levels for recreational navigation and environmental 
purposes.
    The ROPE Study and its associated NEPA documentation will be 
prepared by the Corps and the Forest Service. The Corps will act as the 
lead agency and the Forest Service will act as a cooperating agency. 
The primary focus of the ROPE Study will be the operation of the 
Federal dams in the study area; however, system-wide planning and 
coordination with the operators of the non-Federal dams will be 
included as a part of the study effort to the extent that cooperation 
and resources permit.
    A number of general operational changes have been identified that, 
individually or in combination, will be considered study alternatives. 
These include changes to current reservoir levels, minimum flow 
requirements, outflow rates-of-change (ramping), and the timing of and 
need for reservoir drawdowns. This study will evaluate an alternative 
plan for dam operation to more closely mimic natural hydrology, and a 
no-action alternative with no changes to the current operating plans.
    Significant resources and issues to be addressed in the DEIS will 
be determined through coordination with Federal agencies, State 
agencies, tribal governments, local governments, the general public, 
interested private organizations, and industry. Anyone who has an 
interest in participating in the development of the DEIS is invited to 
contact the St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers.
    To date, the following areas of discussion have been identified for 
inclusion in the DEIS:
    1. Navigation (to the extent it is still a Federal project purpose 
for the headwaters reservoirs).
    2. Treaty rights, tribal trust resources, and other areas of 
special tribal interest such as wild ricing, fishing, and hunting.
    3. Flood damage reduction (around the lakes and along the receiving 
rivers).
    4. Fish and wildlife (with an emphasis on enhancement, restoration, 
and preservation of lake, river, and floodplain habitats).
    5. Recreation and related tourism.
    6. Water quality (contaminants, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, etc.) 
and water quantity (including low flow augmentation, drought reduction, 
waste assimilation, and water supply).
    7. Erosion and sedimentation (lake and riverine damage).
    8. Hydropower.
    9. Archeological, cultural, and historic resources.
    Additional areas of interest may be identified through the scoping 
process, which will include public and agency meetings. A notice of 
these meetings will be provided to interested parties and to local news 
media.
    The Corps has determined that the selection of a combined operating 
plan for the federally operated headwaters reservoirs has the potential 
to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. 
Therefore, the Corps and the Forest Service have jointly determined 
that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is 
appropriate.
    An environmental review will be conducted under the NEPA of 1969 
and other applicable laws and regulations. It is anticipated that the 
DEIS will be available for public review in the winter of 2004-2005.

    Dated: September 8, 2003.
Robert L. Ball,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 03-30802 Filed 12-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-CY-M