[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35770-35773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15176]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environment Impact Report (DEIS/DEIR) for a Permit 
Application for the Proposed Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat 
Project at the Salton Sea, in Riverside and Imperial Counties, CA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), in conjunction with 
the California Natural Resources Agency, is preparing an EIS/EIR for 
the Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat (SCH) Project. The Corps is 
considering the Natural Resources Agency's application for a Department 
of the Army permit under section 404 of the Clean Water Act to 
construct habitat configured in a series of interconnected shallow 
ponds within the current footprint of the Salton Sea. Preliminary 
evaluations of potential siting areas indicate that ponds could be 
constructed at either the north or south ends of the Salton Sea, or in 
both areas. The SCH Project would be created as the Sea recedes by 
constructing dikes below the elevation of -228 feet mean sea level 
(msl) using material excavated from the sea bed. Rivers, which have 
better water quality than agricultural drain water, would provide the 
source of water for the ponds. The Project size at total build-out is 
currently expected to be approximately 2,400 acres, which may be 
constructed over a period of several years depending on land 
availability and cost. The final project size may vary depending on the 
outcome of the alternatives development process. Habitat ponds would 
vary in size, with several ponds constructed in each phase depending on 
land availability. Habitat would continue to be constructed in phases 
in subsequent years as the Sea recedes until the targeted acreage of 
habitat was constructed. The habitat would be designed with varying 
ranges of salinity in order to maximize biological productivity and 
minimize adverse effects associated with water quality. It is 
anticipated that the SCH Project would begin construction in late 2011 
or early 2012.
    The primary Federal involvement is the potential issuance of a 
permit under section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the 
discharge of dredged, excavated, or fill material in wetlands, streams, 
rivers, and other U.S. waters, as well as the evaluation of potential 
impacts on the human environment from such activities. Therefore, in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Corps 
is requiring the preparation of an EIS prior to consideration of any 
permit action. The action must comply with the Section 404(b)(1) 
Guidelines (40 CFR part 230) and not be contrary to the public interest 
to be granted a Corps permit. The Corps may ultimately make a 
determination to permit or deny the above project or permit or deny 
modified versions of the above project.
    Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the 
Natural Resources Agency will be the Lead Agency for the preparation of 
an EIR and will use the EIR when considering whether to approve the 
project. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will act on 
behalf of the Natural Resources Agency to prepare the EIR and may issue 
incidental take authorization under section 2081 of the California 
Endangered Species Act and a Streambed Alteration Agreement under 
section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code. The Corps and the 
Natural Resources Agency have agreed to jointly prepare the EIS/EIR to 
optimize efficiency and avoid duplication. The EIS/EIR is intended to 
be sufficient in

[[Page 35771]]

scope to address the Federal, State, and local requirements for 
environmental analysis and permitting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments and questions regarding 
scoping of the DEIS/DEIR may be addressed to: Ms. Lanika Cervantes, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory 
Division, San Diego Field Office, ATTN: CESPL-RG-RS-2010-00142-LLC, 
6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 105, Carlsbad, CA 92011, or 
[email protected]. Comments and questions can also be 
sent to Ms. Kimberly Nicol, California Department of Fish and Game 
Project Manager, at 78078 Country Club Drive, Suite 109, Bermuda Dunes, 
CA 92203, or at [email protected]. Ms. Lanika Cervantes, Corps Project 
Manager, can be reached at (760) 602-4838, and Ms. Nicol can be reached 
at (760) 200-9178. Comment letters sent via electronic mail should 
include the commenter's physical mailing address, and the project title 
``Species Conservation Habitat Project'' should be included in the 
electronic mail's subject line.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Project Site and Background Information: The Salton Sea is 
located in both Imperial and Riverside counties in southeastern 
California, approximately 35 miles north of the U.S. Mexico border and 
50 miles west of the Colorado River. Preliminary evaluations of 
potential sites indicate that SCH ponds could be constructed at either 
the north end of the Salton Sea near the Whitewater River, or the south 
end of the Salton Sea near the New and Alamo rivers, or in both areas.
    As the Sea recedes and becomes more saline, fish species will not 
be able to survive. Simultaneously, the fish-eating birds, including 
several species of special concern, will lose their forage base and 
begin to disappear. As the Sea continues to become more saline, current 
invertebrate species will become less diverse and be replaced by 
species tolerant of hyper-saline environments (e.g., brine flies and 
brine shrimp).
    The basic purpose of the proposed SCH Project is to protect the 
fish and wildlife species dependent on the Salton Sea in accordance 
with California Fish and Game Code, Section 2932 through the creation 
of aquatic habitat; this is a water dependent activity. The overall 
goals and purpose of the project under the Clean Water Act, and the 
objectives through which the goals would be met are as follows:
    Goal: Develop a range of aquatic habitats that will support fish 
and wildlife species dependent on the Salton Sea.
     Objectives for Goal:

--Provide adequate foraging habitat for piscivorous (fish-eating) bird 
species.
--Develop habitats required to support piscivorous bird species.
--Support a sustainable, productive aquatic community.
--Provide suitable water quality for fish.
--Minimize adverse effects to desert pupfish.
--Minimize risk of selenium.
--Minimize risk of disease/toxicity impacts.
    2. Proposed Action: The SCH Project would provide habitat for both 
fish and invertebrate species, which in turn would provide forage for 
the numerous bird species dependent on the Salton Sea ecosystem. 
Salinity would be managed to support various assemblages of 
invertebrates and fish to diversify the prey base for as wide a variety 
of bird species as possible. The SCH ponds would be designed to serve 
those piscivorous bird species that would experience significant 
declines if the amount of Salton Sea habitat were substantially 
reduced. For many of these species, a significant proportion of their 
population uses the Salton Sea.
    The SCH ponds would also benefit other bird species, such as the 
eared grebe, gull-billed tern, western snowy plover, ruddy duck, black 
tern, and California brown pelican. These species are either not 
piscivorous and/or only a small proportion of their population depends 
on the Salton Sea. There are also some subspecies or population 
segments that would likely use the created habitats as well, such as 
the least tern (interior subspecies of the California least tern or 
Mexican least tern, whichever is present at the Salton Sea) and Baja 
population of the California brown pelican which uses the Salton Sea as 
a post-breeding site. Ancillary affects to other federally threatened 
or endangered species may be identified during the development of the 
EIS/EIR, and would be addressed through either informal or formal 
section 7 consultation, or a combination there of, with the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, as applicable.
    Fish currently existing in the Salton Sea or tributaries are the 
likely candidates for establishment in the SCH ponds. The ponds would 
likely not provide suitable habitat for the marine species (orangemouth 
corvina, gulf croaker, and sargo) previously found in the Salton Sea. 
Tilapia are currently found in large numbers in the Sea, and would 
likely be the species providing the primary forage base in the ponds 
for fish eating birds. Since a primary purpose of the ponds is to 
provide habitat for fish as forage for birds, the ponds would be 
managed to maximize fish productivity.
    The SCH Project is being developed as a proof-of-concept project 
for future restoration to verify that the core ideas are functional and 
feasible prior to full scale restoration of the Salton Sea. The SCH 
Project would help establish viability, technical issues, and overall 
direction, as well as providing feedback for costs and requirements of 
construction, operations and management. The SCH project is planned to 
be constructed beginning in late 2011 or early 2012. The SCH Project 
would be created in phases as the Sea recedes by constructing dikes 
below the elevation of -228 feet mean sea level (msl) using material 
excavated from the sea bed. Rivers, which have better water quality 
than agricultural drain water, would provide the primary source of 
water for the ponds. Habitat ponds would vary in size, and several 
ponds could be constructed in each phase depending on funding and land 
availability. Habitat would continue to be constructed in subsequent 
years as the Sea continues to recede until the targeted acreage of 
habitat was reached. It is currently anticipated that about 2,400 acres 
of habitat would be created as part of the SCH Project, although the 
actual amount may vary depending on the outcome of the alternatives 
development process. Preliminary evaluations of potential siting areas 
indicate that ponds could be constructed at either the north or south 
ends of the Salton Sea, or in both areas. The SCH would be designed 
with varying ranges of salinity in order to maximize biological 
productivity and minimize adverse effects associated with water 
quality. Ponds would be designed to optimize fish habitat and maximize 
fish productivity to provide a sustainable prey base for fish-eating 
birds. Ponds could also be managed to optimize invertebrate production 
to enhance the prey base for shorebirds and wading birds.
    Depth of water in the ponds is dependent on the slope of the sea 
bed, but could range up to approximately 6 feet, depending on the areas 
available for development as the surface water elevation declines. 
Deeper areas could be created by excavating materials from within the 
ponds for construction of the dikes or islands. The dike separating 
adjacent ponds at similar elevations could also be modified to form 
larger ponds in the future, with portions of the original dike left 
intact to form islands.
    A sedimentation basin could be constructed on lands above elevation 
-228 msl, or the first SCH pond could

[[Page 35772]]

function as a sedimentation basin in addition to providing habitat. The 
first pond may need to be drained periodically for vegetation 
management and sediment removal; triggers for such actions will be 
developed as part of the adaptive management plan. Water discharged 
from the first pond would flow into other ponds, and from there into 
further ponds or into the Salton Sea.
    A variety of methods for managing salinity will be thoroughly 
evaluated in the EIR/EIS. Several methods are currently under 
consideration, although additional methods may be identified as part of 
the scoping process and as a result of special studies that are 
underway. The method currently being considered is evapo-concentration 
of salts, which would result in higher salinity in each subsequent pond 
until the maximum salinity suitable for optimal biological productivity 
was achieved. Once the maximum desired salinity was achieved, the next 
series of ponds could again initially be supplied by river water. 
Saline water from the earlier ponds could be blended with river water 
to obtain targeted salinities in some of the newer ponds. If not needed 
for blending in the next phase of ponds, saline water from the ponds 
would discharge to the Salton Sea. This process would result in a mix 
of salinities throughout the SCH complex, with salinities being managed 
by balancing river inflow, evaporation, and discharge. Higher 
salinities in the initial ponds, if needed, also could be achieved by 
temporarily blending diverted river water with saline water pumped from 
the Salton Sea. If necessary, temporary pumping could also be used to 
initially achieve the targeted salinities in subsequent series of 
ponds, but longer-term salinity management would be maintained by 
balancing inflows, evaporation, and discharge. If additional salt water 
were needed in future years to maintain salinity, saline water from the 
higher salinity ponds could be recirculated to the lower salinity 
ponds.
    Siting SCH ponds adjacent to the confluence of the New, Alamo, or 
Whitewater rivers and the Salton Sea would minimize the need for 
conveyance facilities to transport freshwater from these rivers to the 
ponds. Water flow from the rivers and between the ponds could be 
controlled with valves to be able to respond to varying evaporation or 
seepage rates and to allow changes in operations to modify salinity or 
water depth goals. The precise method of conveying water will be 
evaluated as part of the engineering design and environmental review 
process.
    Monitoring and evaluation would commence upon completion of the 
ponds in the first year and would continue thereafter. A monitoring and 
adaptive management plan would be implemented to monitor and evaluate 
biological and water quality parameters, habitat function, and 
engineering performance of the SCH Project. Information obtained from 
monitoring and evaluation would be used to refine the engineering 
design, wildlife management criteria, and adaptive strategies for 
continued development of subsequent phases of the SCH Project. Adaptive 
and flexible strategies would reduce the risks and uncertainties 
associated with operating larger complexes and facilitate managing or 
mitigating observed issues and problems.
    3. Issues: A number of potential environmental issues will be 
addressed in the EIS/EIR. Additional issues may be identified during 
the scoping process, but issues initially identified as potentially 
significant or that are believed to be of local concern include:
    1. Agricultural Resources: Impacts from conversion of farmland to 
non-agricultural use, and dust due to construction.
    2. Air Quality: Impacts during construction, operations, and 
maintenance, and also the beneficial impact on fugitive dust from 
covering exposed playa with water.
    3. Biological Resources: Impacts on fish and wildlife during 
construction, operations, and maintenance.
    4. Cultural Resources: Potential impacts to archaeological 
resources, human remains, and sacred sites activities.
    5. Environmental Justice: Potential effects on the Torres Martinez 
Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe and other local communities from 
construction. operations, and maintenance activities.
    6. Geology and Soils: Impacts during construction, operations, and 
maintenance.
    7. Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Climate Change: Impacts during 
construction, operations, and maintenance.
    8. Hazards and Hazardous Materials: Impacts during construction, 
maintenance, and operations.
    9. Hydrology and Water Quality: Impacts during construction, 
operations, and maintenance.
    10. Indian Trust Assets: Effects on Torres Martinez Tribe's trust 
assets from development of the sites near the Whitewater River.
    11. Land Use: Potential conflicts with other existing or planned 
land uses and local plans, policies, and ordinances.
    12. Noise: Impacts during construction, operations, and 
maintenance.
    13. Paleontological Resources: Potential impacts from ground-
disturbing activities.
    14. Transportation and Traffic: Impacts during construction, 
operations, and maintenance.
    4. Alternatives: Several alternatives are being considered for the 
proposed action. The EIS/EIR may include a co-equal analysis of the 
project alternatives considered. Alternatives initially being 
considered for the SCH Project include: (a) Alternative locations (at 
the confluence of the New, Alamo, or Whitewater rivers and the Salton 
Sea, or a combination of sites); (b) different acreages of created 
habitat; (c) different pond sizes and configurations; (d) different 
ranges of salinity within the ponds; and (e) no action. The range and 
characteristics of the alternatives addressed in the EIS/EIR will be 
further developed based on input from the scoping process and special 
studies that are underway.
    5. Scoping Process: The Corps and the Natural Resources Agency will 
jointly conduct a series of public scoping meetings to receive public 
comments regarding the appropriate scope and content of for the SCH 
Project DEIS/DEIR and to assess public concerns. Additionally, a public 
hearing will be held during the public comment period once the DEIS/
DEIR is released. Participation in the public meetings by Federal, 
State, and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested 
organizations and persons is encouraged. Parties interested in being 
added to the electronic mail notification list for any projects 
associated with the Salton Sea can register at: http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/regulatory/ under the Public Notice tab, 
Distribution List registration. This list will be used in the future to 
notify the public about scheduled hearings and availability of future 
public notices. Parties interested in obtaining additional information 
about the SCH Project can also visit the Natural Resources Agency Web 
site at http://resources.ca.gov/restoring_the_salton_sea.html.
    The scoping meetings will be held at:
    1. Palm Desert--July 7, 2010 at 1 p.m. at University of California, 
75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Room B200, Palm Desert, CA 92211.
    2. Thermal--July 7, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Torrez-Martinez Tribal 
Administration Building, 66-725 Martinez Road, Thermal, CA 92274.

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    3. Calipatria--July 8, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Calipatria Inn and Suites, 
700 North Sorenson Avenue, Calipatria, CA 92233.
    4. Brawley--July 8, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at Elks Lodge 1420, 
161 South Plaza, Brawley, CA 92227.
    Comments on the proposed action, alternatives, or any additional 
concerns should be submitted in writing. Written comment letters will 
be accepted through July 24, 2010.
    The following permits and consultations are expected to be 
required: Clean Water Act section 404 permit/section 401 water quality 
certification; Endangered Species Act section 7 consultation; National 
Historic Preservation Act section 106 consultation; California 
Endangered Species Act section 2081 incidental take authorization; 
California Fish and Game Code section 1602 Streambed Alteration 
Agreement; and air quality permits.
    5. Availability of the DEIS/DEIR: The DEIS/DEIR is expected to be 
published and circulated by early 2011, and a public meeting will be 
held after its publication.

    Dated: June 14, 2010.
Mark D. Cohen,
Deputy Chief, Regulatory Division, Corps of Engineers.
[FR Doc. 2010-15176 Filed 6-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P