[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 83 (Friday, April 30, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22758-22759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10103]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement and Dam Safety Assurance Program Modification Report for the 
Martis Creek Dam Project, Nevada County, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District (Corps) 
intends to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Federal action to remediate seismic, seepage, and hydrologic dam safety 
concerns at the Martis Creek Dam. Martis Creek Dam is located about two 
miles upstream of the confluence of Martis Creek and the Truckee River, 
and about three miles east of Truckee, in Nevada County, CA. The 
Truckee River flows through Reno, Nevada and into Pyramid Lake, NV. The 
proposed action is being conducted through the Corps' Dam Safety 
Assurance Program (DSAP) for the evaluation of existing dams.

ADDRESSES: Current and archival information regarding the Martis Creek 
DSAP Project can be obtained from the following Web site address: 
http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/projects/civil/Martis_Creek/Index.html. 
Questions or

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comments regarding the Martis Creek DSAP Project may be submitted 
through this Web site, or written questions or comments can be 
submitted by mail to Ms. Mariah Garr, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Sacramento District, Attn: Planning Division (CESPK-PD-R), 1325 J. 
Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Requests to be placed on a mailing list 
may also be submitted through the Web site or to the address provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mariah Garr at (916) 557-7702, e-
mail: [email protected], or by mail to (see ADDRESSES).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Background Information. Based on the current engineering 
knowledge, the Corps has determined that the Martis Creek Dam has a 
high risk of failure due to significant existing seismic, seepage, and 
hydrologic issues. Compounding this risk is the large population 
downstream within the inundation zone, specifically the Reno-Sparks 
Metropolitan Area. An external peer review panel, commissioned by the 
Corps, confirmed that the Corps' Class I designation ``Urgent and 
Compelling'' is appropriate for the Martis Creek Dam for the following 
reasons:
    a. Foundation and abutment seepage and piping.
    b. The dam's drain blanket is not performing as intended;
    c. The spillway is hydraulically inadequate;
    d. The site is in a high seismic zone and it is probable that the 
dam and spillway are seismically inadequate;
    e. High probability of structural failure, leading to potential 
life and economic loss.
    The panel recommended short-term risk reductions measures, such as 
maintaining the current reservoir pool restriction elevation of 5,780 
feet for normal conditions, 58 feet below gross pool. The panel also 
recommended long-term risk reduction measures including completion of 
on-going studies of hydrologic, seismic, and geophysical conditions, 
and improving the existing instrumentation to ensure adequate 
monitoring and to provide suitable baseline information.
    2. Remediation Alternatives. The draft EIS will address an array of 
remediation alternatives that are necessary to prevent loss of life, 
extensive downstream damage, functional loss of the project, and the 
loss of all project benefits. The exact nature and extent of the 
remediation alternatives will be determined based on the results of on-
going geotechnical and engineering studies, public and agency input 
during the scoping period, and preparation of the draft EIS.
    3. Issues To Be Addressed. The draft EIS will address environmental 
issues concerning the remediation alternatives proposed. Issues will be 
identified based on public input during the scoping process and during 
the preparation of the draft EIS. Issues initially identified as 
potentially significant include, but are not limited to: soils and 
seismicity, hydrology and water quality, noise and vibration, air 
quality, socioeconomics, water supply, land use, recreation, visual and 
aesthetic resources, traffic and transportation, historical and 
cultural resources, vegetation and wildlife, special status species, 
and fisheries.
    4. Public Involvement. Public scoping meetings will be held in June 
or July 2010 at specific locations to be announced within the local 
Martis Creek DSAP project area, in Truckee, CA. The purpose of the 
public scoping meetings will be to present information to the public 
regarding the array of remediation alternatives proposed that may be 
addressed in the draft EIS, receive public comments, and solicit input 
regarding environmental issues of concern to the public. These meetings 
are intended to initiate the process to involve concerned individuals, 
and local, State, and Federal agencies. The public scoping meeting 
place, date, and time will be advertised in advance in local 
newspapers, and meeting announcement letters will be sent to interested 
parties. Written comments may also be submitted via the Web site or 
mailed to (see ADDRESSES).
    5. Availability of the Draft EIS. The Corps intends to issue the 
draft EIS in April 2011. The Corps will announce availability of the 
draft EIS in the Federal Register and other media, and will provide the 
public, organizations, and agencies with an opportunity to submit 
comments to be addressed in the final EIS.

    Dated: April 19, 2010.
Thomas Chapman,
COL, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2010-10103 Filed 4-29-10; 8:45 am]
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