[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 19 (Friday, January 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 4793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-1820]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement To 
Consider Issuance of a Department of the Army Permit Pursuant to 
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the Angelina & Neches River 
Authority's Proposal to Construct Lake Columbia, a Proposed 10,133-
Surface-Acre Water Supply Reservoir in Cherokee and Smith Counties, TX

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(USACE) Fort Worth District has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS). This DEIS evaluates potential impacts to the natural, 
physical and human environment as a result of the Angelina & Neches 
River Authority's proposal to construct Lake Columbia. The USACE 
regulates this proposed project pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean 
Water Act. The proposed activity would involve the discharge of dredged 
and fill material into waters of the United States associated with the 
proposed construction of Lake Columbia.

DATES: Submit comments by March 30, 2010. An informal public 
information meeting (open house format) regarding this DEIS will be 
held on March 1, 2010, and a formal public hearing regarding this DEIS 
will be held on March 2, 2010 (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions concerning this 
proposal to Mr. Brent Jasper, Regulatory Project Manager, Regulatory 
Branch, CESWF-PER-R, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, 
P.O. Box 17300, Fort Worth, TX 76102-0300 or via e-mail: 
[email protected]. Requests to be placed on the mailing 
list should also be sent to this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Brent Jasper, Regulatory Project 
Manager at (817) 886-1733 or via e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discharges of fill material into waters of 
the United States are regulated under Section 404 of the Clean Water 
Act, with the permitting responsibility administered by the USACE. The 
proposed project must also address environmental impacts relative to 
the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and the Fish 
and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA). In accordance with the NEPA, the 
DEIS evaluates practicable alternatives for the USACE's decision making 
process. As required by NEPA, the USACE also analyzes the ``no action'' 
alternative as a baseline for gauging potential impacts.
    As part of the public involvement process, notice is hereby given 
by the USACE Fort Worth District of an informal public information 
meeting (open house format) to be held at the Norman Activity Center, 
526 East Commerce Street, Jacksonville, TX, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on 
March 1, 2010. This meeting will afford interested parties the 
opportunity to engage in a dialog with the USACE regarding the EIS 
process and the analyses performed to date. The USACE Fort Worth 
District will also be holding a formal public hearing to be held at the 
Norman Activity Center, 526 East Commerce Street, Jacksonville, TX, 
from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on March 2, 2010. The public hearing will allow 
participants the opportunity to comment on the DEIS prepared for the 
proposed Lake Columbia. Written comments should be sent to Mr. Brent 
Jasper (see ADDRESSES). The comments are due no later than 60 days from 
the date of publication of this notice. Copies of the DEIS may be 
obtained by contacting USACE Fort Worth District Regulatory Branch at 
(817) 886-1731 or printed from the Fort Worth District USACE internet 
home page at http://www.swf.usace.army.mil.
    Copies of the DEIS are also available for inspection at the 
locations identified below:
    (1) Jacksonville Public Library, 502 South Jackson St., 
Jacksonville, TX 76766.
    (2) Kurth Memorial Library, 706 South Raguet St., Lufkin, TX 75904.
    (3) Nacogdoches Public Library, 1112 North Street, Nacogdoches, TX 
75961.
    (4) Rusk County Library, 106 East Main St., Henderson, TX 75652.
    (5) Tyler Public Library, 201 South College Avenue, Tyler, TX 
75702.
    (6) Henderson City Hall, 400 West Main Street, Henderson, TX 75652.
    (7) Jacksonville City Hall, 301 East Commerce Street, Jacksonville, 
TX 75766.
    (8) Lufkin City Hall, 300 East Shepherd Avenue, Lufkin, TX 75901.
    (9) Nacogdoches City Hall, 202 East Pilar Street, Nacogdoches, TX 
75961.
    (10) Rusk City Hall, 205 South Main St., Rusk, TX 75785.
    (11) Tyler City Hall, 212 North Bonner Avenue, Tyler, TX 75702.
    After the public comment period ends, the USACE will consider all 
comments received, revise the DEIS as appropriate, and issue a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement.

Stephen L Brooks,
Chief, Regulatory Branch.
[FR Doc. 2010-1820 Filed 1-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P