[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 72 (Thursday, April 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17665-17666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8739]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Notice of Public Scoping for the Missouri River Ecosystem 
Restoration Plan, Missouri River Basin, United States

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

ACTION: Notice of public scoping and opportunity for comment.

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SUMMARY: On Monday, January 26, 2009, the U.S. Department of Defense 
(DoD), U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Kansas City and Omaha 
Districts, issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the preparation of the Missouri River Ecosystem 
Restoration Plan (74 FR 4382). Pursuant to Subsection (a) of Section 
5018 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA 2007), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must study actions required to mitigate 
habitat losses of aquatic and terrestrial habitat, recover federally 
listed species under the Endangered Species Act and restore ecosystem 
functions to prevent further declines among other native species. As 
part of this effort, the Kansas City and Omaha District offices of the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are hosting public scoping meetings. The 
first official phase of public scoping will occur from May 1, 2009 
through December 1, 2009 and address the plan purpose, need, and target 
resource identification. For information regarding public scoping 
meetings see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, below.

DATES: USACE invites comments on the proposed scope and content of the 
plan/EIS from all interested parties beginning May 1, 2009. Comments 
must be received by December 1, 2009 to ensure appropriate 
consideration. Late comments will be considered to the extent 
practicable. USACE also invites members of the public to participate in 
public scoping meetings (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION) to learn more 
about the proposed plan and provide oral comments on the issues to be 
considered.

ADDRESSES: Requests to be added to the project mailing list may be 
submitted by

[[Page 17666]]

completing a form available on the Web site for the Missouri River 
Ecosystem Restoration Plan, located at: http://www.mrerp.org. 
Electronic comments may be submitted at: [email protected]. Written 
comments may be submitted by mail to the NEPA Document Manager for the 
Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan: Ms. Jennifer Switzer, 
Project Manager, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or 
questions about the proposed plan/EIS, please contact Ms. Jennifer 
Switzer, Project Manager, by telephone: (816) 389-3062, by mail: 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106, or by e-mail: 
[email protected], or Mr. Randy Sellers, Project 
Manager, by telephone (402) 995-2689, by mail: CENWO-PM-AE, 1616 
Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102, or by e-mail: 
[email protected]. For inquiries from the media, please 
contact the Corps, Kansas City District Public Affairs Officer (PAO), 
Mr. David Kolarik by telephone: (816) 389-3486, by mail: 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, MO 64106, or by e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USACE is seeking public input on its 
proposed draft purpose and need statements for developing the Plan/EIS. 
The Plan is needed to fully implement the direction received in 
Subsection (a) of Section 5018 of the Water Resources Development Act 
of 2007; and address current trends indicating: diminished natural 
habitat; reduced populations of native species and communities; and 
reduced variability of physical processes such as flows, flooding, and 
sediment erosion/deposition. Therefore, the draft purpose of the Plan 
is to determine the actions required to mitigate losses of aquatic and 
terrestrial habitat; to recover federally listed species under the 
Endangered Species Act; and to restore the ecosystem to prevent further 
declines among other native species, while seeking to balance with 
social, economic, and cultural values for future generations. The 
overall goal of the planning process is to result in a sustainable 
decision that will guide mitigation, recovery, and restoration actions 
over the next 30 to 50 years.
    In addition to seeking input on the proposed draft purpose and need 
for the Plan, the USACE is also seeking comments on what specific 
natural resources should be addressed and other issues that should be 
considered in this type of plan.
    USACE is hosting public scoping meetings throughout the basin to 
address the plan purpose, need, and target resources. For specific 
information regarding these meetings (dates, locations, and times) 
please see http://www.mrerp.org.
    All meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Any 
individual with a disability who requires special assistance, such as a 
sign language interpreter, or a translator, please contact either 
project manager listed above at least 48 hours in advance of the 
meeting so that arrangements can be made.
    Additional information about the Missouri River Ecosystem 
Restoration Plan can be found at http://www.mrerp.org.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
 [FR Doc. E9-8739 Filed 4-15-09; 8:45 am]
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