[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57795-57796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24273]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Availability of a Final Integrated Feasibility Report 
(Feasibility Study/Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact 
Report), Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Study, City of Los 
Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in conjunction with

[[Page 57796]]

the City of Los Angeles (City) announces the availability of a Final 
Integrated Feasibility Report (IFR), which includes a Final Feasibility 
Study (FS) and Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact 
Report (EIS/EIR) for the Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Study, 
Los Angeles County, CA, for public review and comment. The study 
evaluates alternatives for the purpose of restoring 11 miles of the Los 
Angeles River from approximately Griffith Park to downtown Los Angeles 
while maintaining existing levels of flood risk management. Restoration 
measures include creation and re-establishment of historic riparian and 
freshwater marsh habitat to support increased populations of wildlife 
and enhance habitat connectivity within the study area, as well as to 
provide opportunities for regional connectivity to ecological zones 
such as the Santa Monica Mountains, Verdugo Hills, Elysian Hills, and 
San Gabriel Mountains. Restoration also includes the re-introduction of 
ecological and fluvial processes through a more natural hydrologic 
regime, which reconnects the river to historic floodplains and 
tributaries, reduces flow velocities, increases infiltration, and 
improves natural sediment processes. The study also evaluates 
opportunities for passive recreation that is compatible with the 
restored environment. The study evaluated the No Action Alternative and 
five action alternatives, named Alternative 10, 13, 13v, 16, and 20. 
The recommended plan for restoration in the study area is Alternative 
20, the locally preferred plan (LPP), which includes compatible 
recreation features. The recommended plan includes restoration of 
habitat within 719 acres of the study area through the following 
measures and features: riparian habitat corridor restoration throughout 
the 11 miles; restoration of the Arroyo Seco confluence; restoration of 
the Verdugo Wash confluence; restoration of riparian habitat, a 
historic wash and its braided channels in the Los Angeles Trailer and 
Container (LATC) intermodal facility site; removal of channel concrete 
and riverbed restoration for 0.75 miles; restoration of freshwater 
marsh in the Los Angeles State Historic Park; restoration of riparian 
habitat and reconnection to the historic floodplain in Taylor Yard; 
river widening in 2 reaches; restoration of 13 minor tributaries 
through stream daylighting; establishment of side channels; and removal 
of invasive vegetation throughout the project area. A Notice of Intent 
for the EIS/EIR was published on November 28, 2008 (73 FR 72455). A 
Notice of Availability for the Draft IFR was published on October 4, 
2013 (78 FR 57624). The public review period for the Draft IFR occurred 
from September 20, 2013 to November 18, 2013.

DATES: The Final IFR is available for a 30-day review period from 
September 25, 2015 through October 24, 2015 pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality 
Act (CEQA). Written comments pursuant to the NEPA will be accepted 
until the close of public review at close of business on October 24, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Questions or comments concerning the Final IFR may be 
directed to: Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-P 
(SA), 7701 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22315-3860.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Eileen Takata, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Los Angeles District, [email protected] OR Ms. 
Erin Jones, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The document is available for review at:
    (1) Online: http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/ProjectsStudies/LosAngelesRiverEcosystemRestoration.aspx.
    (2) Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library; 6145 N. Figueroa Street, 
Los Angeles, CA 90042; CD and Hard Copy.
    (3) Los Angeles Central Library; 630 W 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 
90071; CD and Hard Copy.
    (4) Atwater Village Branch Library; 3379 Glendale Boulevard, Los 
Angeles, CA 90039; CD and Hard Copy.
    (5) Cypress Park Branch Library; 1150 Cypress Avenue, Los Angeles 
CA 90065; CD.
    (6) Lincoln Heights Branch Library; 2530 Workman Street, Los 
Angeles, CA 90031; CD.
    (7) Chinatown Branch Library; 639 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 
90012; CD.
    (8) Little Tokyo Branch Library; 203 S. Los Angeles Street, Los 
Angeles CA 90012; CD.
    (9) Benjamin Franklin Branch Library; 2200 E. First Street, Los 
Angeles, CA 90033; CD.

Kirk E. Gibbs,
Colonel, U.S. Army, Commander and District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2015-24273 Filed 9-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P