[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 177 (Monday, September 14, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 55103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23032]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Integrated Draft Feasibility Report and 
Environmental Impact Statement To Investigate Hydrologic and Hydraulic 
Problems Threatening Navigation, Aquatic Ecosystem Habitat, Recreation, 
Flood Damage Reduction and Existing Infrastructure at the Three Rivers 
Study Site in Arkansas and Desha Counties in Southeast Arkansas

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The study is being conducted under the authority contained in 
the River and Harbor Act of 1946 (Pub. L. 79-525), as amended, which 
authorized the development of the Arkansas River and its tributaries 
for the purposes of navigation, flood control, hydropower, water 
supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife. Public Law 91-649 stated 
that the project would be known as the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River 
navigation system. Additional authorization is included by the Flood 
Control Act of 1970, (Pub. L. 91-611), as amended, under Section 216 
and under guidance provided in ER 1105-2-100. Pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the USACE, Little Rock District, will 
prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Three 
Rivers Study. The EIS will evaluate potential impacts (beneficial and 
adverse) to the natural, physical, and human environment as a result of 
implementing any of the proposed project alternatives developed during 
the process.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Mr. Craig Hilburn, Biologist, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning and Environmental Division, 
Environmental Branch, Little Rock District, P.O. Box 867, Little Rock, 
AR 72203-0867. Comments will be accepted through October 15, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions or comments regarding 
the Three Rivers Draft Feasibility Report or EIS, please contact Mr. 
Craig Hilburn, (501) 324-5735 or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. MKARNS: The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System 
consists of a series of 18 locks and dams that provide navigation from 
the Mississippi River to the Port of Catoosa near Tulsa, Oklahoma. 
River flow in the Arkansas River is modified primarily by 11 reservoirs 
in Oklahoma.
    2. Study Location: The study is located at the confluence of the 
Mississippi, White, and Arkansas Rivers in Desha and Arkansas Counties, 
in southeast Arkansas. Prominent features include the McClellan-Kerr 
Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) Post Canal and the 160,000-
acre Dale Bumpers National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service). The Arkansas Post Canal connects the Arkansas River to the 
White River for navigation onto the Mississippi River to complete the 
445-mile navigation system. The study area is downstream of Lock No. 1 
of the MKARNS and upstream of the Montgomery Point Lock & Dam and 
includes any adjacent landmasses that are presently being impacted or 
could be potentially impacted by the alternatives.
    3. Study History: Studies in the area have occurred since the mid-
1960's. Structures were placed along the White River and between the 
White and Arkansas River to regulate hydrologic flow between the two 
systems in the 1960's, 1970's and late 1980's.
    4. Scoping/Public Involvement. The Public Scoping process provides 
information about the study to the public, serves as a mechanism to 
solicit agency and public input on alternatives and issues of concern, 
and ensures full and open participation in Scoping and review of the 
Draft EIS. Comments received as a result of this notice and news 
releases will be used to assist the preparers in identifying potential 
impacts to the quality of the human or natural environment. The Corps 
invites other Federal agencies, Native American Tribes, State and local 
agencies and officials, private organizations, and interested 
individuals to participate in the Scoping process by forwarding written 
comments to (see ADDRESSES). Interested parties may also request to be 
included on the mailing list for public distribution of announcements 
and documents.
    5. Issues/Alternatives: The EIS will evaluate effects from a range 
of alternatives developed to address navigation and environmental 
concerns of the area. Anticipated significant issues to be addressed in 
the EIS include impacts on: (1) Navigation, (2) flooding, (3) 
recreation, (4) river hydraulics, (5) fish and wildlife resources and 
habitats, (6) wetlands, (7) timber and forestry management, and (8) 
other impacts identified by the Public, agencies or USACE studies.
    The hydrology of the two rivers is strongly influenced by high 
water in the Mississippi River. Significant hydrologic and hydraulic 
problems currently threaten the Corps' mission areas of Navigation, 
Recreation, Flood Risk Management, as well as aquatic ecosystem habitat 
and existing infrastructure. Possible solutions may include increasing 
detention upstream, raising the height of the containment structure, 
removal of the control structure, or construction of a passive or 
active weir to restore a more natural hydrology between the two rivers. 
The study will evaluate opportunities for ecosystem restoration. 
Proposed improvements resulting from the study could impact (positively 
or negatively) navigation, agriculture, silviculture, hydropower, 
recreation, flood risk management, and fish and wildlife.
    6. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement is anticipated to be available for public review in the 
spring of 2017, subject to the receipt of Federal funding.

Courtney W. Paul,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2015-23032 Filed 9-11-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P