[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27030-27031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11347]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Indianapolis, White River (North), IN, Flood Damage Reduction 
Project

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 (NEPA), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Louisville District will prepare 
a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to disclose 
potential impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment 
resulting from implementation of alternatives formulated to address 
reliability risks associated with Indianapolis, White River (North), 
IN, Flood Damage Reduction Project. The currently authorized and 
partially completed project does not meet current performance standards 
nor does it provide the level of protection for which the project was 
authorized. A full array of alternatives will be formulated to meet the 
purpose and need of this study. After full consideration of all 
alternatives, the best plan will be selected to achieve acceptable risk 
levels.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Address all written comments and 
suggestions concerning completion of this SEIS for the already 
partially constructed flood reduction project to Michael Turner, CELRL-
PM-P-E, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, P.O. Box 59, 
Louisville, KY 40201-0059. Telephone: 502-315-6900. E-mail: 
[email protected].

[[Page 27031]]

Requests to be placed on the mailing list should also be sent to this 
address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville 
District (Corps), under authority of the Flood Control Act (FCA) of 
1936 as amended by the FCA of 1948, completed a General Reevaluation 
(i.e. Feasibility) Report (GRR) and Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) in 1996, entitled Indianapolis, White River (North) Flood Damage 
Reduction Project for implementation of flood damage reduction measures 
in northern Indianapolis (Marion County), Indiana.
    In February, 2011, the Corps released an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) addressing completion of Section 3B and environmental mitigation. 
The EA addressed one alignment along the White River and the canal. As 
a result of extensive public interest and comments made regarding the 
proposed alignment, a decision has been made to prepare a supplement to 
the 1996 EIS for the completion of the flood reduction project. This 
SEIS will address four alternatives for Section 3B: (1) The alignment 
as identified in the EA or along Westfield Boulevard and the 
Indianapolis Water Canal, (2) a modification moving the gate structure 
on the canal downstream approximately 600 ft, (3) a levee protecting 
the Town of Rocky Ripple, and (4) the no action alternative, i.e., do 
not complete Section 3B. The SEIS will also discuss possible changes in 
the already completed sections of the project related to requirements 
implemented since Hurricane Katrina. Specifically, three alternatives 
will be evaluated: (1) Clearing of all woody vegetation 20 ft on each 
side of the toe of the existing levee, (2) a variance requiring 
clearing of all woody vegetation 20 ft horizontally from the crown of 
the completed sections, and (3) no action, i.e., no additional 
clearing. The SEIS will also identify any environmental mitigation 
requirements that may be needed as a result of implementation of any of 
the alternatives considered. The SEIS will concentrate on impacts 
related to the identified alternatives, especially aesthetics, 
communities, economics, biological and cultural resources, public 
safety, and water supply.
    Public Participation: The Corps received many comments from the 
public and elected officials in response to the EA. These concerns are 
reflected in the preceding two paragraphs. Should there be any 
additional resources and/or impacts that the Corps should address, the 
Louisville District seeks input from interested agencies, 
organizations, and the general public concerning the content, issues 
and impacts to be addressed in the SEIS. As the Corps will participate 
in at least one public meeting held by local agencies and/or elected 
officials in the coming month or two and as extensive public comment 
has already been received in response to the EA, the Louisville 
District does not intend to hold a separate public scoping meeting 
regarding the content of the draft SEIS.
    Public comments are welcomed anytime throughout the NEPA process. 
Opportunities for public participation and/or comment will include as a 
minimum two review periods for the draft and final SEIS lasting a 
minimum of 45 and 30 days respectively. Comments may be made anytime 
during the NEPA process via mail, telephone or e-mail. Interested 
parties should submit contact information to be included on the mailing 
list for public distribution of any meeting announcements and 
documents, e.g., the draft and final SEIS.
    Schedule: The Draft SEIS is scheduled to be released for public 
review and comment in June 2011.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-11347 Filed 5-9-11; 8:45 am]
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