[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 14856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2862]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
2.0 for the Lower Mud River Watershed Project, Milton, Cabell County, 
WV

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 (Corps), Huntington District will prepare 
a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The SEIS will 
evaluate potential impacts to the natural, physical, and human 
environment as a result of utilizing soil borrow material for 
construction of the selected plan for the proposed flood damage 
reduction measures for the area at the City of Milton, Cabell County, 
WV (lower Mud River Project). The Corps is soliciting public concerns/
issues to be evaluated during the study process.

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: 
[email protected]. Requests to be placed on the 
mailing list should also be sent to this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Amy K. Frantz PD-F, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, 
WV, 25701-2070. Telephone: (304) 399-5845. Electronic mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Authority

    The proposed project is authorized under Section 580 of the Water 
Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1996, which provides the Corps 
authority ``. . . to conduct a limited reevaluation of the watershed 
plan and environmental impact statement prepare for the Lower Mud 
River, Milton, W.V., by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
pursuant to the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 
U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) and may carry out the project'', and Section 340 
of the WRDA of 2000, which reads: ``Modifies Lower Mud River project at 
Milton authority (Sec 580 of WRDA of 1996) to direct the COE to 
construct the project as selected in the COE reevaluation report.''

2. Background

    Under authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention 
Act (Pub. L. 83-566), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 
began an investigation of land and water resource problems, including 
flooding, in the Lower Mud River watershed in 1972. This early 
investigation culminated with completion of the Lower Mud River 
Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in May 1993, in 
which a channel modification project on the Mud River in the vicinity 
of Milton was recommended. Section 580 of WRDA 1996 provided the Corps 
authority to re-evaluate that study and construct a project.
    In May 2004 the Corps completed the re-evaluation study and 
recommended Plan B. The Plan consists of a flood control levee with 
modifications to the Mud River. Plan B provides a high level of flood 
protection, has the greatest net benefits, and all significant 
environmental impacts are mitigated by special project features.
    Further geotechnical studies after the completion of the re-
evaluation study and EIS indicate that the proper quantity and quality 
of borrow material cannot be obtained within the Construction Work 
Limits identified in the EIS. This Supplemental EIS will evaluate 
several borrow site alternatives in the surrounding area for the 
purpose of obtaining the proper quantity and quality of soil material 
for construction of the recommended plan. The Supplemental EIS will 
evaluate transportation, noise, terrestrial, aquatic, economic, 
environmental justice and cultural resource issues associated with the 
selection of borrow sites.

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 Lower Mud River flooding problems as they 
affect the community of Milton, WV 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) Public 
meetings to be held near the community of Milton; (2) Anytime during 
the NEPA process via mail, telephone or e-mail; (3) During Review and 
Comment on the Draft SEIS--approximately August 2006; and, (4) Review 
of the Final EIS--Fall 2006. Schedules and locations will be announced 
in local news media. Interested parties should submit contact 
information to be included on the mailing list for public distribution 
of meeting announcements and documents (See ADDRESSES).

William E. Bulen,
COL, Corps of Engineers, Commander.
[FR Doc. 06-2862 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]
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