[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 20684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-10309]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a 
Proposed Flood Risk Management Project on the Red River of the North in 
Fargo, ND & Moorhead, MN

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The St. Paul District Corps of Engineers, in partnership with 
the City of Fargo, North Dakota and City of Moorhead, Minnesota is 
conducting a flood risk management feasibility study for the Fargo-
Moorhead metropolitan area. The feasibility study will focus on 
reducing flood risk in the entire Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan area and 
surrounding areas. The study will evaluate several alternative 
measures, including but not limited to; levees and floodwalls, 
diversion channels, non-structural flood-proofing, relocation of flood-
prone structures, and flood storage.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) can be directed to: Mr. 
Terry J. Birkenstock, Chief, Environmental and Economic Analysis 
Branch, 190 Fifth Street East, St. Paul, MN 55101-1638, telephone: 
(651) 290-5264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, 
Minnesota, are on the west and east banks, respectively, of the Red 
River of the North approximately 150 miles south of the Canada/United 
States border. In addition to the Red River, the Wild Rice, Sheyenne, 
Maple and Rush Rivers in North Dakota and the Buffalo River in 
Minnesota also cross the study area.
    The purpose of this study is to collect and evaluate pertinent 
engineering, economic, social, and environmental information in order 
to assess the potential for a federal flood risk management project in 
the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area. The study objective is to define 
a feasible and implementable project to reduce flood risk in the study 
area. The Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area has a relatively high risk 
of flooding. The highest river stages usually occur as a result of 
spring snowmelt, but summer rainfall events have also caused 
significant flood damages. The Red River of the North has exceeded the 
National Weather Service flood stage of 17 feet in 51 of the past 107 
years, and every year from 1993 through 2009. The study area is between 
the Wild Rice River, the Sheyenne River, and the Red River of the 
North; interbasin flows complicate the hydrology of the region and 
contribute to extensive flooding. Average annual flood damages in the 
Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area are currently estimated at over $43 
million.
    Fargo and Moorhead have become accustomed to dealing with flooding. 
Sufficient time is usually available to prepare for flood fighting 
because winter snowfall can be monitored to predict unusual spring 
runoff. Both communities have well documented standard operating 
procedures for flood fights. Both communities avoided major flood 
damages in the historic flood of 1997 by either raising existing levees 
or building temporary barriers. Since the 1997 flood, both communities 
have implemented mitigation measures, including acquisition of almost 
100 floodplain homes, raising and stabilizing existing levees, 
installing permanent pump stations, and improving storm sewer lift 
stations and the sanitary sewer system. Although emergency measures 
have been very successful, they may also contribute to an unwarranted 
sense of security that does not reflect the true flood risk in the 
area.
    The Fargo-Moorhead Metro Feasibility Study and its associated NEPA 
documentation will be prepared by the Corps and the cities of Fargo, 
North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota. The Corps will act as the lead 
agency and the cities will act as cooperating partners.
    The study will evaluate several alternative measures, including but 
not limited to: levees and floodwalls along the river through the 
towns, diversion channels either west or east of the Fargo-Moorhead 
Metro area, non-structural flood-proofing, relocation of flood-prone 
structures, and flood storage.
    Significant resources and issues to be addressed in the DEIS will 
be determined through coordination with Federal agencies, State 
agencies, local governments, the general public, interested private 
organizations, and industry. Anyone who has an interest in 
participating in the development of the DEIS is invited to contact the 
St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers.
    To date, the following areas of discussion have been identified for 
inclusion in the DEIS:
    1. Flood damage reduction.
    2. Fish and wildlife.
    3. Land-use Effects (effects on agricultural land).
    4. Archeological, cultural, and historic resources.
    5. Social Effects.
    6. Groundwater (Buffalo Aquifer).
    Additional areas of interest may be identified through the scoping 
process, which will include public and agency meetings. A notice of 
those meetings will be provided to interested parties and to local news 
media.
    The first scoping meeting will be held May 19 at Centennial Hall in 
Fargo, North Dakota and May 20th at the Hanson Theater on the Minnesota 
State University, Moorhead campus in Moorhead, Minnesota. Both meetings 
will begin at 5:30 for open house followed by presentation and 
questions and answers at 7.
    An environmental review will be conducted under the NEPA of 1969 
and other applicable laws and regulations. It is anticipated that the 
DEIS will be available for public review in the winter of 2009-2010.

    Dated: April 22, 2009.
Terry J. Birkenstock,
Chief, Environmental and Economic Analysis Branch.
[FR Doc. E9-10309 Filed 5-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P