[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40320-40321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13778]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report for the Coyote Creek Watershed Management 
Plan Feasibility Study, Orange and Los Angeles Counties, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Coyote Creek Watershed Study will integrate and balance 
the physical and biological systems within the watershed to enhance 
aquatic and terrestrial habitat, improve water quality, enhance water 
resources, increase trail connections, enhance passive recreation and 
open space, reduce sediment and erosion, and aid in flood protection. 
Additionally, the Watershed Management Plan will encourage greater 
cooperation between public agencies and private organizations to 
leverage limited resources and improve quality of life within the 
watershed. It will be a guidance document for watershed stakeholders to 
better manage watershed resources and land use. This Plan will identify 
and prioritize projects for maintaining, constructing, restoring, and 
enhancing resources that contribute to a healthy and sustainable 
watershed. Policy and management recommendations will result from this 
plan that will connect existing public

[[Page 40321]]

policy and watershed management principles.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the County of Orange, 
California will cooperate in conducting this feasibility study.

DATES: Scoping meetings are scheduled as follows:
    1. July 14, 2005, 2-5 p.m., Fullerton City Hall, 303 West 
Commonwealth, Fullerton, CA 92823.
    Additional public scoping meetings will be scheduled approximately 
every two months during the study. For specific dates, times and 
locations please contact Eileen Takata, County of Orange, Watershed & 
Coastal Resources Division, at (714) 834-4786 or E-mail at: 
[email protected].

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, CESPL-
PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, CA 90053-2325.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William O. Butler, at (213) 452-
3873 or E-mail at: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authorization

    This study is authorized in response to a House Resolution dated 8 
May 1954, which reads as follows: ``Resolved by the Committee on Public 
Works of the House of Representatives, United States, that the Board of 
Engineers for Rivers and Harbors is hereby requested to review the 
reports on (a) San Gabriel River and Tributaries, published as House 
Document No. 838, 76th Congress, 3rd Session; (b) Santa Ana River and 
Tributaries, published as House Document No. 135, 81st Congress, 1st 
Session; and (c) the project authorized by the Flood Control Act of 
1936 for the protection of the metropolitan area in Orange County, with 
a view toward determining the advisability of modification of the 
authorized projects in the interest of flood control and related 
purposes.''

2. Background

    The Coyote Creek Watershed study includes the Coyote Creek 
Watershed and the Carbon Canyon Watershed. These watersheds are highly 
urbanized and drain approximately 165 square miles of densely urbanized 
residential, commercial and industrial development. The Coyote Creek 
Watershed is drained by its namesake, Coyote Creek, and two principal 
tributaries, Fullerton Creek and Brea Creek. Coyote Creek is a 
concrete-lined trapezoidal channel that ultimately drains into the San 
Gabriel River. The Carbon Canyon Watershed is drained principally by 
Carbon Creek, Fullerton Creek and Brea Creek. These three creeds vary 
between rectangular and trapezoidal concrete and riprap channels.
    The Corps has a total of three flood control dams in the Coyote 
Creek and Carbon Creek Watersheds: One at the headwaters of Fullerton 
Creek (Fullerton Dam); one on Brea Creek (Brea Dam); and the other on 
Carbon Creek (Carbon Canyon Dam). In addition to the flood control 
dams, there are six detention basins along Carbon Creek that are used 
for groundwater recharge and flood control.

3. Proposed Action

    Although no specific proposed action has been identified to date, 
opportunities exist for multipurpose water quality improvements, 
ecosystem restoration, recreation and education.

4. Alternatives

    Although no specific alternative plans have been identified to 
date, a full array of alternatives to the proposed action will be 
developed for analyses, including the no action plan.

Alex C. Dornstauder,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05-13778 Filed 7-12-05; 8:45 am]
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