[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35671-35672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14239]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Clear Creek General Reevaluation Study, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston 
and Harris Counties, TX

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Clear Creek watershed drains portions of Fort Bend, 
Harris, Galveston, and Brazoria counties, Texas, including portions of 
Houston and the smaller towns of League City, Friendswood and Pearland, 
among others. The watershed also forms part of the boundary between 
Harris County to the north and Galveston and Brazoria counties to the 
south. Clear Creek flows into the west side of upper Galveston Bay 
through Clear Lake. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
will evaluate several flood detention and conveyance features to reduce 
flooding of homes and businesses in the Clear Creek Watershed. The 
study will focus on environmental and social conditions currently 
present and those likely to be affected by the proposed changes in the 
watershed. The flood-control project includes construction of several 
miles of high flow channel adjacent to the existing channel, while 
preserving the existing channel and floodplain forest. Detention of 
flood waters would also be provided in some areas where the high flow 
channel diverges from the low flow channel and in off-line detention 
areas adjacent to the creek. All flood control measures on Clear Creek 
occur upstream of the Dixie Farm Road crossing. The proposed project 
also includes widening three tributaries to Clear Creek, Mud Gully, 
Turkey Creek, and Mary's Creek, for improved conveyance of flood flows, 
with detention basins constructed adjacent to Mary's Creek and between 
Clear Creek and Mud Gully.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, P.O. Box 
1229, Galveston, TX 77553-1229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Heinly, (409) 766-3992, 
Planning Lead, Planning Section, Planning, Environmental and Regulatory 
Division; or Ms. Andrea Catanzaro, (409) 766-6346, Environmental Lead, 
Environmental Section, Planning, Environmental and Regulatory Division.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    (1) Background. Flooding along Clear Creek has caused problems for 
over 30

[[Page 35672]]

years. Floodwaters in 1973, 1976, 1979, 1989, and 1994 substantially 
damaged residences along the creek. Heavy rains from Tropical Storm 
Allison in 2001 resulted in severe flooding along Clear Creek and 
prompted the buyout of approximately 300 flood-prone homes. However, 
flooding is not only a problem associated severe rain events, but has 
become increasingly more frequent along Clear Creek, even with moderate 
amounts of rainfall. Local authorities have made limited channel 
improvements to address specific flood concerns, but those efforts have 
contributed little to resolving the current large-scale flooding 
problem. The Clear Creek Federal flood control project was authorized 
by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1968 (Pub. L. 91-611, Section 
221). The authorized project extended 31 miles from Clear Lake to the 
Fort Bend County line. Plans included deepening, widening, and 
realigning the creek channel. The congressional authorization for this 
project only allows the consideration of reducing flood damage caused 
by rainfall runoff along the main channel of Clear Creek and not 
coastal flooding caused by tropical storm systems. In 1982 the Phase I 
General Design Memorandum, including the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement, was signed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 
Southwest Division Engineer, thus authorizing the detailed design. Due 
to concerns regarding its design, the project's non-Federal sponsors, 
Galveston County and Harris County Flood Control District, with input 
from the public and governmental entities, requested reevaluation of 
the design. In 1997, the sponsors requested the USACE adopt changes to 
the plans. The changes requested by the non-Federal sponsors were 
beyond the discretionary authority of the USACE Southwest Division 
Commander to approve. As a result, in February 1999, the USACE decided 
a general reevaluation study would be needed. In April 1999, the non-
Federal sponsors agreed to accept the USACE recommendation to conduct 
the general reevaluation study. The general reevaluation study 
reconsidered the previously authorized project as well as non-Federal 
sponsor-proposed alternatives and other alternatives that were deemed 
reasonable. Brazoria County Drainage District 4 joined the 
non-Federal sponsors in this effort by June 1999.
    (2) Alternatives. The construction alternatives that will be 
evaluated are: (1) Constructing 15.2 miles of 130 ft to 240 ft wide 
high flow channel in two separate sections of Clear Creek. (2) 
Detention of 485 acre feet of flood water in the high flow channel of 
Clear Creek where it diverges from the low flow channel. (3) Detention 
of 1,750 acre feet of flood water in a 160 acre basin adjacent to Clear 
Creek. (4) Construction of a grass-lined channel on 2.4 miles of Turkey 
Creek to its confluence with Clear Creek. (5) Construction of a 
concrete-lined channel for 0.8 mile of Mud Gully in the reach which is 
located between the northbound and southbound lanes of Beamer Rd. (6) 
Detention of 1,515 acre feet of flood water in a 120 acre basin between 
Clear Creek and Mud Gully. (7) Construction of a 2.1 mile grass-lined 
channel on Mary's Creek. (8) Detention of 857 acre feet of flood water 
in two detention basins totaling 120 acres along Mary's Creek.
    (3) Scoping. Scoping meetings were held on March 15, 2001 at the 
Friendswood High School in Friendswood, TX, on March 15, 2001 in 
Friendswood, TX, on May 3, 2001 in League City, TX, and on May 9, 2001 
in Pearland, TX. The scoping process involved Federal, State and local 
agencies, and other interested persons and organizations. Comments were 
received for 30 days following each scoping meeting. Comments will be 
considered during preparation of the EIS. At this time, there are no 
plans for an additional scoping effort.
    (4) Coordination. Further coordination with environmental agencies 
will be conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Fish 
and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean 
Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Essential 
Fish Habitat), and the Coastal Zone Management Act under the Texas 
Coastal Management Program.
    (5) DEIS Preparation. It is estimated that the DEIS will be 
available to the public for review and comment in March 2009.

Richard Medina,
Chief, Planning and Environmental Branch.
 [FR Doc. E8-14239 Filed 6-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-52-P