[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25573-25574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4061]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Pine 
Mountain Dam & Lake Project, AR

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 (USACE), Little Rock District will prepare 
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Pine Mountain 
Dam and Lake Project, AR.
    The purpose of the EIS will be to present alternatives and assess 
the impacts to the human environment associated with providing flood 
control, recreation and water supply for the surrounding areas in 
Arkansas and Oklahoma from the proposed project. The study area 
includes the entire Lee Creek watershed together with the lower Lee 
Creek reservoir near Van Buren, AR. The proposed project could affect 
agriculture, recreation, flood control, water supply and natural 
resources within the study area.
    The EIS will evaluate potential impacts (positive and negative) to 
the natural, physical, and human environment as a result of 
implementing any of the proposed project alternatives that may be 
developed during the EIS process.

ADDRESSES: Questions or comments concerning the proposed action should 
be addressed to: Mr. Ron Carman, USACE, Little Rock District, Planning 
and Environmental Office, PO Box 867, Little Rock, AR 72203-0867, e-
mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ron Carman, (501) 324-5601.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Study History: The Pine Mountain Dam project was authorized for

[[Page 25574]]

construction by Congress in 1965. Additional studies and a preliminary 
draft EIS were prepared in the 1970s. In 1980, prior to public review 
of the EIS, the local sponsor decided not to continue sponsoring the 
project. In 2000, the River Valley Regional Water District identified 
themselves as a willing sponsor and requested that the Corps of 
Engineers reevaluate the project. The proposed Pine Mountain Dam 
Project is being undertaken by USACE, Little Rock District under the 
direction of the U.S. Congress. A study will be conducted consisting of 
major hydraulics and hydrologic investigations, economic analyses, 
alternative development and related analyses in conjunction with the 
EIS.
    2. Comments/Scoping Meeting: Interested parties are requested to 
express their views concerning the proposed activity. The public is 
encouraged to provide written comments in addition to or in lieu of 
oral comments at scoping meetings. To be most helpful, scoping comments 
should clearly describe specific environmental topics or issues, which 
the commentator believes the document should address. Oral and written 
comments receive equal consideration.
    Scoping meetings will be held with government agencies and the 
public in the spring/summer of 2006 in Crawford County, AR. The 
location, time, and date will be published at least 14 days prior to 
each scoping meeting. Comments received as a result of this notice and 
the news releases will be used to assist the District in identifying 
potential impacts to the quality of the human or natural environment. 
Affected local, state, or Federal agencies, affected Indian Tribes, and 
other interested private organizations and parties may participate in 
the scoping process by forwarding written comments to (see ADDRESSES). 
Interested parties may also request to be included on the mailing list 
for public distribution of meeting announcements and documents.
    4. Alternatives/Issues: The EIS will evaluate the effects of the 
Pine Mountain Dam and Lake, other practical alternatives, and other 
identified concerns. Anticipated significant issues to be addressed in 
the EIS include impacts on: (1) Flooding, (2) water supply, (3) 
recreation and recreation facilities, (4) stream hydraulics, (5) fish 
and wildlife resources and habitats, and (6) other impacts identified 
by the Public, agencies or USACE studies.
    5. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS is anticipated to 
be available for public review in early 2009 subject to the receipt of 
federal funding.
    6. Authority: Pine Mountain Dam and Lake was authorized for 
construction by the Flood Control Act of 1965 (Title II, Pub. L. 89-
298) substantially in accordance with the recommendations of the Chief 
of Engineers in House Document No. 270, 89th Congress.

Wally Z. Walters,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 06-4061 Filed 4-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-57-M