[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 26478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4235]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Floyd County, KY (Levisa Fork Basin), Section 202 Project

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. Huntington District has prepared a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which documents planning 
analyses undertaken for a proposed flood damage reduction projects in 
the Levisa Fork basin in Floyd County, KY. The study area includes the 
incorporation areas of Prestonsburg and unincorporated areas in Floyd 
County which are subject to flood damage from the potential of a 
reoccurrence of the April 1977 flood. The study area does not include 
the City of Martin, KY where a separate flood damage reduction project 
is underway. The DEIS documents agency evaluation of four alternatives, 
two of which includes floodwall/levee alignments intended to protect 
Prestonsburg and non-structure flood-proofing measures, a total non-
structural alternative, and the No Federal Action alternative.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
will be accepted for 45 days following publication of the Environmental 
Protection Agency's Notice of Availability for this Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS) in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Address all written comments on the DEIS to Stephen O'Leary 
PM-PD-S, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth 
Street, Huntington, WV 25701-2070. Electronic mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen O'Leary, Telephone (304) 399-
5841.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Energy and Water Development 
Appropriations Act of 1981 (Pub. L. 96-367) provided $25,150,000 for 
the development of flood protection measures for the Levisa and Tug 
Forks of the Big Sandy River and Upper Cumberland River. Many Floyd 
County communities within the floodplain of the Levisa Fork and Russell 
Fork and tributaries were devastated by the April 1977 flood, which was 
the flood of record for much of the region. Congressional reaction to 
these flood events resulted in the inclusion of funds and language in 
various legislative directives that mandated expeditious implementation 
of flood damage reduction measures within the study area covered by the 
Huntington District's Section 202 General Plan.
    The study area, primarily residential in nature, includes the 
incorporated areas of Prestonsburg and unincorporated areas in the 
county subject to flood damage from the potential of a reoccurrence of 
the April 1977 flood. The proposed project would require providing 
flood protection measures to approximately 2,000 structures, 75 percent 
of which are residential.
    Four alternatives are evaluated in detail the DEIS, including the 
No Federal Action. One alternative is totally nonstructural flood-
proofing measures. Two alternatives include floodwalls/levees along 
with nonstructural measures, and are generally described as follows. 
(1) Floodwall/levees to provide flood damage reduction for 
infrastructure, roadways, homes, and businesses in most of Prestonsburg 
through a combination of the floodwall, gates, raised roadways, curbs, 
and small wall sections in the down town area. Floodwalls would prevent 
Levisa Fork overtopping in the Blackbottom area, which now causes 
flooding in the central business district as well as in Blackbottom. In 
this alternative the floodwall would also extend to protect the Big 
Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) and its campus. (2) The 
proposed structural component would provide flood damage reduction for 
infrastructure, roadways, homes, and businesses in most of Prestonsburg 
through a combination of the floodwall, grates, raised roadways, curbs, 
and small wall sections in the downtown area. This plan's floodwall 
would prevent Levisa Fork overtopping in the Blackbottom area, which 
now causes flooding in the central business district as well as in 
Blackbottom. Flood insurance costs would be reduced for structures 
protected by the floodwall. The floodwall would not protect the BSCTC 
and its campus. BSCTC would be able to participate in the nonstructural 
program for eligible structures.
    The Corps invites full public participation to promote open 
communication and better decision-making. All persons and organizations 
that have an interest in the Levisa Fork Basin flooding problems as 
they affect Floyd County and the environment are urged to participate 
in this NEPA process.
    A public hearing on the content of the DEIS will be held at 
Prestonsburg High School, 825 Blackcat Boulevard, Prestonsburg, KY 
41649. The public hearing and all other future public meetings and any 
other public involvement activities will be announced in advance 
through notices, media news releases, and/or mailings.
    Copies of the DEIS may be reviewed at the following locations:
    1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth 
Street, Huntington, WV 25701-2070, Room 3100.
    2. Floyd County Public Library, 18 North Arnold Avenue, 
Prestonsburg, KY 41653-1269.
    3. Prestonsburg Community College Library, One Bert T. Combs Drive, 
Prestonsburg, KY 41653.
    4. http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/review.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 06-4235 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am]
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