[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 185 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59121-59122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24509]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) 
and the Final General Conformity Determination for the Newhall Ranch 
Resource Management and Development Plan, Santa Clarita, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, 
Regulatory Division (Corps) has made a Final General Conformity 
Determination (GCD) and executed a Record of Decision (ROD) for the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/
EIR) and a Section 404 Permit under the Clean Water Act for the Newhall 
Ranch Resource Management and Development Plan, Santa Clarita, 
California. This Notice serves as the Public Notice/Notice of 
Availability for the Final EIS/EIR ROD and the Final GCD. The Record of 
Decision for the Final EIS/EIR was signed on 31 August 2011.
    In June 2010, the Corps, in coordination with the California 
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), completed and published a joint 
Final EIS/EIR and Draft GCD, pursuant to National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) and section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act. The identified 
least environmentally damaging practicable alternative (LEDPA) in the 
ROD includes permanent impacts to 47.9 acres of waters of the United 
States, including 5.1 acres of wetlands, associated with discharges of 
fill material for bank protection to protect land development projects 
along water courses (including buried soil cement, buried gunite, 
grouted riprap, ungrouted riprap, and gunite lining); drainage 
facilities such as storm drains or outlets and partially lined open 
channels; grade control structures; bridges and drainage crossings; 
building pads; and water quality control facilities (sedimentation 
control, flood control, debris, and water quality basins). The LEDPA 
also includes temporary impacts to 35.3 acres of waters of the United 
States, including 11.8 acres of wetlands, associated with the 
construction of bank protection to protect land development projects 
along water courses (including buried soil cement, buried gunite,

[[Page 59122]]

grouted riprap, ungrouted riprap, and gunite lining); utility 
crossings; activities associated with construction of a Water 
Reclamation Plant adjacent to the Santa Clara River and required bank 
protection; water quality control facilities (sedimentation control, 
flood debris, and water quality basins); regular and ongoing 
maintenance of all flood, drainage, and water quality protection 
structures and facilities on the RMDP site (such activities would 
include periodic inspection of structures and monitoring of vegetation 
growth and sediment buildup to ensure that the integrity of the 
structures is maintained and that planned conveyance capacity is 
present, routine repairs and maintenance of bridges and bank 
protection, and emergency maintenance activities); and temporary haul 
routes for grading equipment and geotechnical survey activities.
    As a Federal agency, the Corps prepared the Final GCD in compliance 
with Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act and for the issuance of a 
Corps Section 404 Permit for the discharges of fill material into 
waters of the United States. Direct and indirect air emissions for all 
pollutants related to the Federal action are not below specified de 
minimis Federal thresholds (40 CFR 93.153(b)).
    On 31 August 2011, the Corps completed its environmental review and 
finalized the GCD, executed the ROD, and issued a provisional Section 
404 Standard Individual Permit for the LEDPA. The Corps considered and 
responded to all comments received in finalizing the EIS/EIR, Final 
GCD, ROD, and issuing the provisional permit. The public can request 
copies of the Final General Conformity Determination document or the 
ROD from the Corps at the address listed below. In addition, copies of 
the Final General Conformity Determination document are available for 
review during the next 30 days at the following libraries: County of 
Los Angeles Newhall Branch, Castaic Branch, Sylmar Branch, Valencia 
Branch, and the County of Ventura Fillmore Branch.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or requests concerning the 
Final General Conformity Determination or the ROD should be directed 
to: Dr. Aaron O. Allen, Chief, North Coast Branch, Regulatory Division, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2151 Alessandro Drive, Suite 110, 
Ventura, California 93001, (805) 585-2148.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: None.

    Dated: September 19, 2011.
David J. Castanon,
Chief, Regulatory Division, Los Angeles District.
[FR Doc. 2011-24509 Filed 9-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P