[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 15 (Monday, January 26, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 4383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1627]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Flood Control, Mississippi River & Tributaries, Yazoo River 
Basin, Yazoo Headwaters Project, Mississippi Tributaries Unit

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, in 
conjunction with the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee District, the non-
Federal sponsor, is undertaking studies to evaluate the authorized 
Yazoo Headwaters Project. As part of this work, a Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is being prepared to update 
existing National Environmental Policy Act documentation.

DATES: Initiate SEIS, February 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Correspondence may be sent to Mr. Matthew Mallard, U.S. Army 
Engineer District, Vicksburg, CEMVK-PP-PQ, 4155 Clay Street, Vicksburg, 
MS 39183-3435.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Matthew Mallard at U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, Vicksburg District, telephone (601) 631-5960, fax (601) 
631-5115, or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Proposed Action. An SEIS will identify and evaluate impacts 
associated with construction in the remaining authorized Yazoo 
Tributaries subbasins, including channel improvement, levee 
construction and enlargement, associated water control structures, bank 
stabilization, grade control measures, and environmental design 
features.
    Alternatives. Alternative urban and agricultural flood protection 
measures will be identified to meet existing and future flood 
protection needs and evaluated in cooperation with state and Federal 
agencies, local government, and the public.
    Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the range of the 
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the SEIS. For 
this analysis, a letter will be sent to all parties believed to have an 
interest in the analysis, requesting their input on alternatives and 
issues to be evaluated. The letter will also notify interested parties 
of the public scoping meeting that will be held in the local area. A 
notice will be sent to the local news media. All interested parties are 
invited to comment at this time, and anyone interested in the study 
should request to be included on the mailing list.
    A public scoping meeting will be held March 2, 2009, from 7 to 9 
p.m. at the Leflore County Civic Center, 200 Highway 7 North, 
Greenwood, MS 38930, and March 3, 2009, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Marks 
Community House, Pecan Street, Marks, MS 38646.
    Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues to 
be evaluated in the SEIS includes aquatic resources, recreational and 
commercial fisheries, wildlife resources, water quality, air quality, 
threatened or endangered species, recreation resources, and cultural 
resources. Tentative socioeconomic items to be evaluated in the SEIS 
include business and industrial activity, tax revenues, population, 
community and regional growth, transportation, housing, community 
cohesion, and navigation.
    Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (FWS) will be asked to assist in the documentation of existing 
conditions, impact analysis of alternatives, and overall study review 
through the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) consultation 
procedures. The FWS would provide an FWCA report to be incorporated 
into the SEIS. The draft SEIS or a Notice of Availability will be 
distributed to all interested agencies, organizations, and individuals.
    Estimated Date of Availability. The earliest that the draft SEIS is 
expected to be available is September 2012.

    Dated: January 13, 2009.
Douglas J. Kamien,
Chief, Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division.
[FR Doc. E9-1627 Filed 1-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P