[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 185 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59123-59124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24484]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Puyallup River General Investigation Study, Pierce 
County, WA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 
will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) pursuant to 
Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, as amended, for a proposed flood-risk management project in the 
Puyallup River Basin including the Puyallup River downstream of 
Electron Dam to Commencement Bay, the Carbon River and the White River 
downstream of Mud Mountain Dam. This study was requested by Pierce 
County (the local sponsor), Washington, because of the potential for 
significant flooding within the Puyallup River Basin.
    A DEIS is being prepared because of the potential for impacts on 
environmental resources, particularly salmonid habitat, and the intense 
public interest already demonstrated in addressing the flooding 
problems of the Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers.
    The Puyallup River General Investigation (GI) DEIS for the Puyallup 
River Basin is being conducted under the authority of Section 209 of 
the Flood Control Act of 1962, Public Law 87-874. That section 
authorized a comprehensive study of Puget Sound, Washington, and 
adjacent waters including tributaries, in the interest of flood 
control, navigation, and other water uses and related land resources.

DATES: Persons or organizations wishing to submit study scoping 
comments should do so by October 24, 2011. Public comment may also be 
made at the study scoping meeting October 6, 2011 in Fife, Washington 
(see Scoping Meeting). Notification of scoping meeting times and 
locations will be sent to all agencies, organizations, and individuals 
on the project mailing list.

ADDRESSES: All comments on the proposed project, requests for inclusion 
on the mailing list and future documents should be sent to: Amanda 
Ogden, Study Environmental Coordinator, Seattle District, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, P.O. 3755, Seattle, WA 98124-3755, Attn: CENWS-PM-
ER; telephone (206) 764-3628; fax (206) 764-4467; or e-mail 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General questions concerning the 
proposed action and the DEIS can be directed to: Amanda Ogden, Study 
Environmental Coordinator (see ADDRESSES) or C.J. Klocow, Project 
Manager, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. 3755, 
Seattle, WA 98124-3755, Attn: CENWS-PM-CP; telephone (206) 764-6073; 
fax (206) 764-4467; or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background. The Puyallup River basin encompasses a drainage area of 
approximately 1,040 square miles. Major tributaries include the Carbon 
and White Rivers. The Puyallup, Carbon and White Rivers drain the 
northern flank of Mount Rainier. The study area for the DEIS will be 
the Puyallup River downstream of Electron Dam to Commencement Bay, the 
Carbon River and the White River downstream of Mud Mountain Dam.
    The purpose of the Puyallup River GI study is to better identify 
the problems and opportunities that exist to relieve the potential for 
flooding, reduce flood risks and to develop a flood-risk management 
plan that fits Federal law and policy and is within the capability of 
the local sponsor to support their required share of the total project 
costs.
    This is a single-purpose flood-risk management study. The goal of 
this project is to identify the National Economic Development (NED) 
plan, the flood-risk management alternative that provides the maximum 
net economic benefits. In accordance with USACE policy, minimization of 
ecosystem, cultural, and socio-economic impacts will be significant 
project considerations (Reference: ER 1105-2-100, Planning Guidance 
Notebook). The local sponsor may request the recommendation of a plan 
other than the NED, the Locally Preferred Plan (LPP).
    Alternatives. In the reconnaissance phase for the Puyallup River GI 
study, USACE identified two alternative courses of action for further 
analysis which are outlined below.
    Alternative 1--No Action: Allow the current levee system to remain 
in place without a major system-wide levee system upgrade. Individual 
jurisdictions would continue to operate, maintain, and repair the 
existing levees, and dams on the Puyallup River and White River would 
continue present operations for flood reduction.
    Alternative 2: Construct a coordinated flood-risk management 
project that would provide critically needed flood-risk management 
measures at an affordable cost in a reasonable timeframe and that will 
subsequently be authorized and implemented.
    Pierce County and USACE are in the process of developing an array 
of structural and nonstructural measures for addressing problems and 
opportunities and for achieving project objectives. These measures will 
be presented to the public at several workshops in Pierce County and to 
resource and Tribal groups and agencies over the course of project 
development.
    Some or all of the measures will be combined to form the range of 
alternatives. In the DEIS, the preferred alternative will be selected 
based on screening and evaluation of the range of alternatives.
    Scoping. Public involvement will be sought during scoping, plan 
formulation, and preparation of the

[[Page 59124]]

DEIS in accordance with NEPA procedures. A public scoping process has 
been started: (1) To clarify which issues appear to be major public 
concerns, (2) to identify any information sources that might be 
available to analyze and evaluate impacts, and (3) to obtain public 
input and determine acceptability for the range of measures to be 
included within potential alternatives.
    This NOI formally commences the scoping process under NEPA. As part 
of the scoping process, all affected Federal, state, and local 
agencies; Tribes; the public; and other interested private 
organizations, including environmental groups, are invited to comment 
on the scope of the DEIS. Comments are requested regarding issues of 
concern, project alternatives, potential mitigation measures, probable 
significant environmental impacts, and permits or other approvals that 
may be required by any project.
    The following key areas have been identified so far to be analyzed 
in depth in the DEIS:
    1. Flooding characteristics (existing and with any project).
    2. Impacts to fish habitat and fisheries resources.
    3. Impacts to riparian habitat.
    4. Impacts to wetlands.
    5. Impacts to cultural resources.
    6. Impacts to surrounding communities.
    7. Impacts to geomorphic processes.
    Scoping Meeting. Opportunity to comment on the planned study will 
also be available at the study scoping meeting which is scheduled for 
October 6, 2011 at the Fife Community Center, 2111 54th Avenue East, 
Fife, WA, 98424. The scoping meeting will commence at 4 p.m. with an 
open house, followed by presentations and a formal hearing at 5:30 pm. 
Details of the meeting time and location will be announced in the local 
media. Notices will be sent to all agencies, organizations, and 
individuals on the mailing list.
    Availability of DEIS. USACE expects to complete preparation of the 
DEIS and make it available for public review by the fall of 2013.

    Dated: September 15, 2011.
Bruce A. Estok,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 2011-24484 Filed 9-22-11; 8:45 am]
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