[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79928-79929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32279]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-MWR-CUVA-19576; PPMWMWROW3/PPMPSPD1Y.YM0000]


Environmental Impact Statement for the Modification/Removal of 
the Canal Diversion Dam in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of termination of environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is terminating preparation of 
an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the modification/removal of 
the Canal Diversion Dam (Dam) in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio 
(CUVA). Instead, the NPS will be preparing an environmental assessment 
(EA) to assist the NPS in determining how best to bring the Cuyahoga 
River within the boundaries of CUVA into attainment with the Clean 
Water Act and to allow for its recreational use by the public.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available at Cuyahoga Valley National 
Park headquarters located at 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, Ohio 
44141; telephone (330) 657-2752. Information will also be available at 
the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/cuva.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Craig Kenkel at the 
address above; or by telephone at the number above. Information will be 
available at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) 
Web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/cuva.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Dam is owned by the Ohio Department of 
Natural Resources and supplies water to a portion of the Ohio and Erie 
Canal National Historic Landmark. The Cuyahoga River upstream of the 
Dam does not meet aquatic community goals set forth in Ohio's Water 
Quality Standards. The Lower Cuyahoga River Total Maximum Daily Load 
(TMDL) report, as well as previous water quality surveys, has indicated 
that a cause of nonattainment of the standards is the Dam. The TMDL 
report recommends that the Dam be modified or removed to restore water 
quality in the Cuyahoga River upstream of the structure. Public and 
stakeholder scoping regarding modification or removal of the Dam was 
initiated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in August 2002. 
It was unclear at that time whether the proposed modification or 
removal of the Dam would involve NPS lands or adversely affect NPS 
resources. The NPS determined in 2009 that the State of Ohio 
alternatives for the proposal to modify or remove the Canal Diversion 
Dam would impact NPS resources, require access to NPS lands, or require 
NPS funds. Accordingly, the NPS decided to prepare the EIS, and the 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Environmental 
Protection Agency agreed to be cooperating agencies. A Notice of Intent 
to Prepare the EIS was published in the Federal Register on July 24, 
2009.
    Following extensive internal review and interagency consultation 
over the last six years, preliminary analysis of the alternatives 
indicates there is no potential for significant impacts to NPS 
resources and values and no concerns or issues were expressed during 
the public scoping process that would have the potential for highly 
controversial impacts. Therefore, NPS intends to terminate the EIS and 
prepare an environmental assessment to develop and analyze alternatives 
that satisfy the project purpose and need. The Ohio Department of 
Natural Resources and

[[Page 79929]]

the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will remain cooperating 
agencies on the EA. The EA to consider whether to remove or modify the 
dam is expected to be released for public review in the early spring of 
2016. The public comment period for the EA and the dates, times, and 
locations of public meetings, if any, will be announced through the 
PEPC Web site, the park Web site, and in local media outlets.

    Dated: December 1, 2015.
Cameron H. Sholly,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-32279 Filed 12-22-15; 8:45 am]
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