[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 51 (Friday, March 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13871-13872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5141]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for the San Bernardino Lakes and 
Streams, San Bernardino County, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of the study is to evaluate approximately a 16-
mile reach of the Santa Ana River along the southern boundary of the 
City of San Bernardino and the northern boundary of the City of 
Redlands located in San Bernardino County, CA. The focus will be on 
watershed improvements by developing alternatives for ecosystem 
restoration, and incorporating flood risk management features in some 
areas in downtown San Bernardino and Redlands. The restoration project 
will concentrate on revitalization of the riparian vegetation 
community; establish environmental corridor to benefit wildlife and 
sensitive species; and address flood risk management uses. The portion 
of the Santa Ana River to be studied is located entirely within San 
Bernardino County, CA.

DATES: Provide comments by April 28, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to Mr. Kirk C. Brus at 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. Kirk C. Brus, Environmental 
Coordinator, Regional Planning Section, at 213-452-3876; fax 213-452-
4204 or E-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Authorization: The proposed study is 
authorized by House Document No. 135, 81st Congress, 1st Session; dated 
8 May 1964, 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, 3d Session; and (b) Santa Ana River and 
Tributaries.

    The proposed study is also authorized by House Document 20, 106th 
Congress, 1st Session Adopted April 15, 1999, which reads as follows:

    Resolved by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the United States House of Representatives, that the Secretary of 
the Army is requested to review the report of the Chief of the 
Engineers of Santa Ana River Main Stem, including Santiago Creek, 
California, and other pertinent reports to determine whether 
modification to the recommendations contained therein are advisable 
at the present time in the interest of reducing the risks to public 
safety and property caused by flooding from high groundwater 
conditions, groundwater liquefaction related water quality 
contamination and environmental damage in the City of San 
Bernardino, California and adjacent communities.

    2. Background: The San Bernardino Valley has undergone considerable 
land use changes since 1842 when Mexico granted Rancho San Bernardino 
to Antonio Maria Lugo who grazed thousands of head of cattle in the 
valley dotted with streams, riparian corridors, wetland and marsh 
areas, seeps and meadows. Naval oranges and other profitable 
agriculture crops fueled the growth through the 1870's. The 1880's 
brought the gold rush, more growth, and from the late 1880's until 
1965, the Pacific Electric Railway Company played a significant role in 
the development of San Bernardino County. With continued urbanization 
and growth and development of industry and new technology land 
transitioned from agricultural use to development of business, 
industrial and residential property. Due to the development of modern 
railroads and the transition from passenger and freight to freight 
only, the re-configuration of rail-routes and transportation hubs 
through the 1960's and 1970's have significantly impacted San 
Bernardino Valley. The growth and development of the community resulted 
in the loss or degradation of many of the wetland, marsh and open-water 
areas; as well as, the constriction, fragmentation, degradation and 
loss in spatial extent of the riparian community that once existed in 
the San Bernardino Valley and the Santa Ana River. Impacts to the 
groundwater coming from the San Bernardino Mountains have also occurred 
due to the changes in land use. In the past, groundwater levels have 
risen enough to reach the ground surface, resulting in structural 
damage, flooded basements, weakened load-bearing capacity of streets, 
disrupted underground utilities, substantially increasing liquefaction 
hazard should a seismic event occur, and increased development costs 
and limitations. Historic high groundwater levels occurred in 1984 
after five consecutive wet years, when groundwater reached unacceptably 
high levels in the San Bernardino Valley. The 16-mile reach of the 
Santa Ana River located between the City of San Bernardino to the north 
and

[[Page 13872]]

the City of Redlands to the south poses damage to riparian ecosystems 
from past flooding and groundwater polluting activities. Ecosystem 
processes that help maintain groundwater supplies must be protected and 
restored where degraded. Flood risk management measures are a way to 
support the riparian habitat. Alternatives to be considered are those 
that will reduce further degradation of the river and the riparian 
ecosystem; improve the quality of both ground and surface waters; and 
reduce adverse water quality impacts from runoff.
    3. Scoping Process: a. A scoping meeting is scheduled for the 
following three dates, times and locations, as follows: April 9, 2008, 
6 to 8 p.m., City of Redlands City Council Chambers, 35 Cajon Street, 
Suite 2, Redlands, CA 92373; April 10, 2008, 6 p.m to 8 p.m., San 
Bernardino County Regional Parks Department Meeting Room, 777 East 
Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415, and; April 11, 2008, 6 to 8 
p.m., City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency Board Room, 
201 North E. Street, Third Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92401. For 
additional information on dates, times, and locations please contact 
Jim Canady, San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department, at (909) 
383-3202. Potential impacts associated with the proposed action will be 
evaluated. Resource categories that will be analyzed are: Physical 
environment, geology, biological resources, air quality, water quality, 
recreational usage, aesthetics, cultural resources, transportation, 
noise, hazardous waste, socioeconomics and safety.
    b. Participation of affected Federal, State and local resource 
agencies, Native American groups and concerned interest groups/
individuals is encouraged in the scoping process. Public participation 
will be especially important in defining the scope of analysis in the 
Draft EIS/EIR, identifying significant environmental issues and impact 
analysis in the Draft EIS/EIR and providing useful information such as 
published and unpublished data, personal knowledge of relevant issues 
and recommending mitigation measures associated with the proposed 
action.
    c. Those interested in providing information or data relevant to 
the environmental or social impacts that should be included or 
considered in the environmental analysis can furnish this information 
by writing to the points of contact indicated above or by attending the 
public scoping meeting. A mailing list will also be established so 
pertinent data may be distributed to interested parties.

    Dated: March 7, 2008.
Thomas H. Magness,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Commander.
[FR Doc. E8-5141 Filed 3-13-08; 8:45 am]
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