[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 70 (Thursday, April 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 18490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6827]


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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


 United States Section; Notice of Availability of a Draft 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Flood 
Control Improvements From International Dam to Riverside Diversion Dam, 
Within the Rio Grande Rectification Project, Located in El Paso County, 
TX

AGENCY: United States Section, International Boundary and Water 
Commission.
    Proposed Action: Levee height improvements within an approximate 
15-mile reach from International Dam to Riverside Diversion Dam in El 
Paso, El Paso County, Texas to meet the current Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) freeboard requirements.
    Report Designation: Environmental Assessment.
SUMMARY: The United States Section of the International Boundary and 
Water Commission (USIBWC) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for a proposed action to raise the levee system from International Dam 
to Riverside Diversion Dam, in El Paso County, Texas. The levee system 
under consideration for this EA, approximately 15-miles long, is 
located entirely within the city limits of El Paso, Texas.
    This reach of levee system was recently identified as one of the 
priority areas within the Rio Grande Rectification Project for flood 
control improvements. The need for improvements to the levee system was 
determined by hydraulic modeling completed by the USIBWC in 2003. The 
USIBWC hydraulic study for this reach indicated that an increase in 
levee height would be required to meet design criteria for flood 
protection. An increase from 0.5 to 1.5 feet is anticipated for 
approximately 5.1 miles of levee. The increase in levee height would 
expand the levee footprint by lateral extension of the structure. Levee 
footprint increases in this reach will occur within the USIBWC right-
of-way (ROW) and may extend primarily toward the riverside of the 
existing levee or to the landside given available ROW.
    FEMA decertification of USIBWC levees in El Paso County, Texas has 
resulted in the need to rehabilitate the levees to FEMA criteria; draft 
Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps will be issued in spring of 2007. The 
USIBWC plans on raising approximately 5.1 miles of USIBWC levees within 
the International Dam to Riverside Diversion Dam to meet the minimum 3 
feet of freeboard criteria.
    The Environmental Assessment assesses potential environmental 
impacts of the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. A Draft 
Finding of No Significant Impact was issued for the Proposed Action, 
including mitigation measures, based on a review of the facts and 
analyses contained in the Environmental Assessment. An environmental 
impact statement will not be prepared unless additional information 
which may affect this decision is brought to our attention within 30-
days from the date of this Notice.
    Availability: Copies of the Draft Environmental Assessment and 
Finding of No Significant Impact may be obtained by request from Mr. 
Daniel Borunda, 4171 North Mesa, Suite C-100, El Paso, Texas 79902, e-
mail: [email protected]. Electronic copies may also be 
obtained from the USIBWC Home Page at http://www.ibwc.state.gov. 
Written comments will be accepted for 30-days following the date of 
this Notice.

    Dated: April 5, 2007.
Susan Daniel,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. E7-6827 Filed 4-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7010-01-P