[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 101 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 30421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10544]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement Titled: 
Alexandria, LA, to the Gulf of Mexico Flood Control Improvements in the 
Chatlan Lake Canal Basin

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, is 
initiating this study authorized by a July 23, 1997 resolution of the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the U.S. House of 
Representatives. The resolution reads: ``Resolved by the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the U.S. House of Representatives, 
that the Secretary of the Army is required to review the report of the 
Chief of Engineers on the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project, 
published as House Document 308, Eighty-eighth Congress, Second 
Session, and other pertinent reports, to determine whether 
modifications of the recommendations contained therein are advisable at 
the present time in the interest of flood control, navigation, 
wetlands, conservation restoration, wildlife habitat, commercial and 
recreational fishing, saltwater intrusion, freshwater and sediment 
diversion, and other purposes in the area drained by the West 
Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee, from Alexandria, Louisiana, to the 
Gulf of Mexico.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) should be addressed to Mr. Nathan Dayan at U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, PM-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, LA 70160-
0267, phone (504) 862-2530, fax number (504) 862-2572 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this analysis is to address 
the feasibility of a Federal project to reduce flooding problems and 
other water resources problems and needs in the Alexandria, LA area. 
Economic and environmental analysis would be used to determine the most 
practical plan, which would provide for the greatest overall public 
benefit.
    1. Proposed Action. The proposed action would include the flood 
control improvements in the Chatlin lake canal basin in the Alexandria, 
LA area. The plan includes the enlargement of the upper reach (14 
miles) of the Chatlin Lake canal, south of the city of Alexandria, and 
the construction of a new diversion canal (5 miles) between the Chatlin 
Lake canal and the Red River south of John H. Overton lock and dam. 
This plan would be considered with a gravity drainage structure through 
the south bank of the Red River levee. The material dredged for the 
construction and maintenance of the channels would be used for wetlands 
restoration and construction, to the maximum extent practicable.
    2. Alternatives. Alternatives recommended for consideration 
presently include but not limited to: The construction of a shorter 
channel off of Chatlin Lake canal to the Red River above the lock and 
dam with a pump station, a green tree reservoir off of Chatlin Lake 
canal, improving hydraulic efficiency of Chatlin Lake canal by clearing 
and snagging or channel reshaping, and non structural flood proofing of 
structures.
    3. Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the scope of 
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the EIS. For 
this analysis, a letter will be sent to all parties believed to have an 
interest in the analysis, requesting their input on alternatives and 
issues to be evaluated. The letter will also notify interested parties 
of public scoping meetings that will be held in the local area. Notices 
will also be sent to local news media. All interested parties are 
invited to comment at this time, and anyone interested in this study 
should request to be included in the study mailing list.
    A public scoping meeting will be held in the middle part of 2005. 
The meeting will be held in the vicinity of Alexandria, LA. Additional 
meetings could be held, depending upon interest and if it is determined 
that further public coordination is warranted.
    4. Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues 
to be evaluated in the EIS includes wetlands (marshes and swamps), 
aquatic, fisheries, wildlife, water quality, air quality, threatened 
and endangered species, recreation resources, and cultural resources. 
Socioeconomic items to be evaluated in the EIS include flood 
protection, business and industrial activity, employment, land use, 
property values, public/community facilities and services, tax 
revenues, population, community and regional growth, transportation, 
housing, community cohesion, and noise.
    5. Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be assisting in the documentation of 
existing conditions and assessment of effects of project alternatives 
through Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act consultation procedures. The 
USFWS will provide a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report. 
Consultation will be accomplished with the USFWS and the National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) concerning threatened and endangered 
species and their critical habitat. The draft EIS (DEIS) or a notice of 
its availability will be distributed to all interested agencies, 
organizations, and individuals.
    6. Estimated Date of Availability. Funding levels will dictate the 
date when the DEIS is available. The earliest that the DEIS is expected 
to be available is in the fall of 2006.

    Dated: May 11, 2005.
Peter J. Rowan,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05-10544 Filed 5-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P