[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 42 (Friday, March 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12818-12819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5091]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Rio Grande Floodway, San Acacia to Bosque 
del Apache, Socorro County, NM, Project

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

[[Page 12819]]


ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Albuquerque District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) is 
preparing a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on 
the findings of an ongoing flood risk management study along the Rio 
Grande from San Acacia downstream to San Marcial in Socorro County, New 
Mexico. The purpose of the study is to reevaluate the plan of flood 
protection authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1948 (Pub. L. 80-858) 
in light of recent changes in levee design parameters and environmental 
resources in the study area. The tentatively proposed plan is to 
replace the existing embankment between the Low Flow Conveyance Channel 
and the Rio Grande with a structurally competent levee capable of 
containing high-volume, long-duration flows. This engineered levee 
would substantially reduce the risk of damage from floods emanating 
from the Rio Grande. The local cost-sharing sponsors of the proposed 
project are the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District and the New 
Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or comments regarding the 
draft SEIS can be answered by: William DeRagon, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, 4101 Jefferson Plaza NE., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109; 
telephone: (505) 342-3358; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Previously, an environmental impact 
statement and two supplements have been published regarding this 
project. A final environmental impact statement addressing a 
recommendation to construct flood and sediment control dams on the Rio 
Puerco and Rio Salado was filed with the Council on Environmental 
Quality in 1977. An SEIS evaluating the effects of the alternative to 
rehabilitate the existing spoil-bank levee system was filed with the 
Council on Environmental Quality in 1992. In May 1997, a draft SEIS 
evaluating the revised design of the proposed levee to withstand long-
duration floods and evaluating effects to recently listed endangered 
species was filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 
however, a final SEIS was not prepared. Currently, a new draft SEIS is 
being developed to evaluate effects of revised levee design and 
additional alternatives. The draft SEIS will be integrated with a draft 
General Reevaluation Report, and the integrated document is hereafter 
referred to as the draft GRR/SEIS-II.
    Alternatives Considered: Alternatives developed and evaluated 
during the current effort and previous studies consist of levee 
reconstruction; flood and sediment control dams; local levees; 
intermittent levee replacement; watershed land treatment; floodproofing 
of buildings; levee-alignment setbacks; and no action.
    Public Involvement: Coordination is ongoing with both public and 
private entities having jurisdiction or an interest in land and 
resources in the middle Rio Grande valley of New Mexico. These entities 
include the general public, local governments, the U.S. Bureau of 
Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New Mexico 
Department of Game and Fish, and the New Mexico State Historic 
Preservation Officer. Coordination will continue throughout the 
development of the draft GRR/SEIS-II.
    Significant Issues To Be Analyzed: Issues to be analyzed in the 
development of the draft GRR/SEIS-II include the effect of alternatives 
on flood risk, floodplain development, water quality, ecological 
resources, endangered species, wildlife refuge objectives, social 
welfare, human safety, cultural resources, and aesthetic qualities. 
Development and implementation of mitigation measures will be 
undertaken for unavoidable effects.
    Public Review: It is estimated that the draft GRR/SEIS-II will be 
circulated for public review in April 2012. All interested parties 
including Federal, state, and public entities will be invited to submit 
comments on the draft GRR/SEIS-II when it is circulated for review. A 
public meeting will be held during the public review period in Socorro, 
New Mexico. An announcement of the exact date and location of the 
public meeting will be published in the Federal Register, and in 
Socorro and Albuquerque newspapers.

Jason D. Williams,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2012-5091 Filed 3-1-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P