[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75794-75795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29714]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Dallas Floodway Project, in the City of Dallas, Dallas County, TX

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District has prepared 
a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that analyzes the 
potential effects for the implementation of flood risk management 
elements, ecosystem restoration features, recreation enhancement 
features, interior drainage plan improvements, and other proposed 
projects in and around the Dallas

[[Page 75795]]

Floodway, in the City of Dallas, Dallas County, TX. The FEIS documents 
the existing condition of environmental resources in and around areas 
considered for development, and potential impacts on those resources as 
a result of implementing the alternatives. The alternatives considered 
in detail are: (1) Alternative 1, the No-Action Alternative or ``Future 
Without Project Condition;'' (2) Alternative 2, the Proposed Action. 
Alternative 2 evaluates two different design variations, one that 
anticipates potential Trinity Parkway construction within the Floodway 
and one that does not.

DATES: All written comments must be postmarked on or before January 18, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted in writing to: Marcia Hackett, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, P.O. Box 17300, Fort 
Worth, TX 76102-0300, or via email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Hackett at (817) 886-1373 or 
via email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USACE, Fort Worth District has prepared 
a FEIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The 
FEIS has been developed as a cooperative effort by the USACE Fort Worth 
District, the City of Dallas, TX (non-federal sponsor), and the Federal 
Highway Administration (cooperating agency). The FEIS describes the 
anticipated environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the proposed 
Dallas Floodway Project, and revises the Draft EIS released April 18, 
2014. The City of Dallas proposes to implement flood risk management 
elements, Balanced Vision Plan (BVP) ecosystem and recreation features, 
and Interior Drainage Plan (IDP) improvements within the Dallas 
Floodway. The project area is located along the Trinity River from the 
abandoned Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe bridge upstream to the 
confluence of the West and Elm Forks, then upstream along the West Fork 
for approximately 2.2 miles, and upstream along the Elm Fork for about 
4 miles.
    Section 5141 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (Pub. 
L. 110-114; 121 Stat.1041), as amended in 2014, provides authorization 
for implementation of the City of Dallas Balanced Vision Plan Study and 
Interior Drainage Plan improvements following the preparation of 
required NEPA documentation. This action is in accordance with title 33 
Code of Federal Regulations section 325.2(a)(4), which discusses NEPA 
procedures and documentation. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to 
reduce flood risk through flood risk management, enhance ecosystems, 
and provide greater recreation opportunities within the Dallas Floodway 
in Dallas, Texas. Flooding events on the Trinity River have 
historically caused loss of lives and damage to property and 
structures. Urbanization and past channelization and clearing have 
significantly degraded the natural terrestrial and aquatic habitat of 
the Dallas Floodway. Furthermore, the City of Dallas lacks sufficient 
recreational opportunities for citizens and visitors. Implementation of 
the Proposed Action is needed to comply with section 5141 of the Water 
Resources Development Act of 2007, as amended.
    In addition to the Federal project described above, the City of 
Dallas has submitted an application for approval of the entire project 
(BVP and IDP) as a locally sponsored action under the provisions of 33 
United States Code section 408 (section 408), section 404 of the Clean 
Water Act (CWA), and section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. The 
Permit Number for this action is SWF-2014-00151.
    USACE issued and made publicly available a Draft EIS (DEIS) on 
April 18, 2014. The findings of the DEIS were presented at a public 
meeting held on May 8, 2014, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Dallas City 
Hall, L1FN Auditorium, 1500 Marilla, Dallas, Texas 75201. The DEIS was 
also made available via internet posting, hard copies available a local 
libraries, and discs provided on request. The comment period ran from 
April 18 through June 17, 2014. The USACE considered and responded to 
all relevant comments received during the Public Review Period and 
incorporated all relevant comments into the FEIS. Most of the comments 
were generally beyond the scope of the EIS and were related to the 
potential Trinity Parkway project, a separate project proposed by 
others.
    Document Availability: Copies of the FEIS may be reviewed at the 
following location: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District 
Web site: http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/Missions/WaterSustainment/DallasFloodway.aspx Electronic copies may also be requested in writing 
at Marcia R. Hackett, P.O. Box 17300, Fort Worth, TX 76102-0300 or by 
telephone (817) 886-1373.

Rob Newman,
Director, Trinity River Corridor, Project Office.
[FR Doc. 2014-29714 Filed 12-18-14; 8:45 am]
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