[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 90 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 26086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10288]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water 
and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies; Initiation of 
Revision and Request for Suggested Changes

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

ACTION: Request for suggestions and notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: Section 2031 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 
(Pub. L. 110-114) directs the Secretary of the Army to revise the 
``Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and 
Related Land Resources Implementation Studies'', dated March 10, 1983 
consistent with a number of considerations enumerated in the statute. 
Upon completion the revision will apply to water resources projects, 
project reevaluations, or project modifications and project feasibility 
studies carried out by the Secretary except those commenced prior to 
the completion of the revised guidance. The Secretary intends to craft 
the revision in two phases, with the first phase of this revision to 
address revisions to the 1983 Principles and Standards (Chapter I of 
the existing Guidelines) and the second phase to address revisions to 
the Procedures (Chapters II through IV of the 1983 Guidelines). The 
purpose of this notice is to provide opportunity for interested 
individuals and organizations to submit suggestions for revising the 
Principles and Standards. Using that input the Secretary intends for 
the initial draft of the revision to be prepared in June and released 
for public comments by July.

DATES: A public meeting to hear recommendations will be held on June 5, 
2008. Written suggestions are being accepted now and will be accepted 
through the end of the public meeting, 5 p.m., June 5, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Suggestions should be submitted in writing to HQUSACE, Attn: 
P&G Revision, CECW-ZA, 441 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000, by 
E-mail to: [email protected] or FAX: 202-761-5649.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry J. Prather, Assistant Director 
of Civil Works, at 202-761-0106.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2031 of the Water Resources 
Development Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-114) directs the Secretary of the 
Army to revise the ``Economic and Environmental Principles and 
Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation 
Studies'', dated March 10, 1983 and when completed to apply the 
revision to planning studies of water resources projects within his 
jurisdiction. The Secretary is initiating the first phase of this 
revision to include the 1983 Principles and Standards (Chapter I of the 
Guidelines). Revision of Chapters II through IV of the Guidelines will 
be initiated at a later date. The Secretary requests interested 
individuals and organizations to submit suggestions for revision of the 
1983 Principles and Standards. In view of subparagraph (b)(5)(A)(ii) of 
Section 2031 of the Public Law 110-114, the Secretary requests that 
each suggested revision be accompanied by a statement of the intent of 
the revision. Written suggestions (by mail, fax, or e-mail) are 
preferred and should be submitted to (see ADDRESSES).
    In addition, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and 
staff of the United States Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public 
meeting to hear suggestions for proposed revisions on June 5, 2008 in 
the Atrium Ballroom; Washington Court Hotel; 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW; 
Washington, DC from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those wishing to make oral 
suggestions and ask questions are encouraged to attend this meeting but 
written suggestions will be appreciated even if an interested party 
wishes to provide suggestions orally. To facilitate oral suggestions 
for revision, the time available for making oral suggestions will be 
divided among those wishing to speak by a random drawing. To 
accommodate those who may be able to participate for only part of the 
day, one drawing will be held at the start of the meeting for the 
morning time blocks and another at about 1 p.m. for the afternoon time 
slots.
    Interested individuals and organizations may request copies of the 
following documents by mail or e-mail or access them at the Internet 
addresses indicated: ``Economic and Environmental Principles and 
Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies, 
dated March 10, 1983 (http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecw-cp/library/Principles_Guidelines.pdf), Water Resources Development Act of 2007 
(Pub. L. 110-114) (http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecw-cp/links/wrda2007_hr1495.pdf).

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-10288 Filed 5-7-08; 8:45 am]
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