[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4342-4343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01448]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability for the Final Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Proposed San Acacia to Bosque del Apache 
Project, Socorro County, New Mexico

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

ACTION: Notice of availability--Final SEIS.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of

[[Page 4343]]

1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) the Corps of Engineers, 
Albuquerque District, has prepared a final Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement (SEIS) for the San Acacia to Bosque del Apache 
Project, Socorro County, New Mexico.

DATES: The 30-day review period begins on January 24, 2014 and ends on 
February 24, 2014. The Record of Decision on the proposed action will 
be issued after February 24, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, requests for 
copies, and/or questions about the project, please contact Mr. Jerry 
Nieto, Project Manager, by telephone: (505) 342-3362, by mail: U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, 4101 Jefferson Plaza NE., Albuquerque, New 
Mexico 87109, or by email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Background Information: Previously, an environmental impact 
statement (1977) and a supplement (1992) were published regarding this 
project. The current SEIS (II) evaluates the effects of revised levee 
design and additional alternatives. The final SEIS is integrated with a 
final General Reevaluation Report, and the integrated document is 
entitled: General Reevaluation Report and Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement II: Rio Grande Floodway, San Acacia to Bosque del 
Apache Unit, Socorro County, New Mexico (hereafter referred to as the 
final GRR/SEIS-II).
    Alternatives developed and evaluated during the current and 
previous studies consist of levee reconstruction (at various heights); 
flood and sediment control dams; local levees; intermittent levee 
replacement; watershed land treatment; floodproofing of buildings; 
levee-alignment setbacks; and no action. Principal issues analyzed in 
the development of the GRR/SEIS-II included the effect of alternatives 
on flood risk, developed lands and structures, water quality, 
ecological resources, endangered species, cultural resources, and 
socio-economics.
    The recommended 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 proposed levee and 
attendant structures would extend from San Acacia downstream for 
approximately 43 miles, nearly to San Marcial. The local cost-sharing 
sponsors of the proposed project are the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy 
District and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.
    2. Draft SEIS Review: The draft GRR-SEIS-II comment period began on 
April 27, 2012 with the publication of the Notice of Availability in 
the Federal Register (77 FR 25151), and ended on June 11, 2012. A 
public meeting was held during the review period on May 22, 2012 in 
Socorro, New Mexico.
    3. Availability of the final GRR/SEIS-II: The final document is 
electronically available for viewing and printing at: http://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/EnvironmentalComplianceDocuments/EnvironmentalImpactStatementsROD.aspx. 
Electronic copies may also be requested from the contact person listed 
above. Paper copies of the final GRR/SEIS-II are available for review 
at the Socorro Public Library, 401 Park St., Socorro, NM.

Julie A. Alcon,
Chief, Environmental Resources Section, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Albuquerque.
[FR Doc. 2014-01448 Filed 1-24-14; 8:45 am]
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