[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55184-55185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19738]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Proposed Flood Risk Management Project for the Souris River Basin, 
North Dakota

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The St. Paul District, Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership 
with the Souris River Joint Water Resources Board (SRJB), is conducting 
a flood risk management feasibility study for the Souris River Basin 
within the continental United States. The feasibility study will 
include an Environmental Impact Statement and consider opportunities to 
reduce flood risk within Bonnineau, McHenry, Ward, and Renville 
counties, North Dakota. The study will evaluate several alternative 
measures, including, but not limited to: Levees and floodwalls, 
diversion channels, non-structural flood proofing, relocation of flood-
prone structures, and flood storage.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and Environmental Impact Statement may be directed to: U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, St. Paul District, ATTN: Mr. Terry J. Birkenstock, Deputy 
Chief, Regional Planning & Environment Division North, 180 Fifth Street 
East, Suite 700, St. Paul, MN 55101-1678; telephone: (651) 290-5264; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Souris River (alternatively known as the 
Mouse River) is approximately 435 miles long. The river begins in the 
southeastern portion of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, flows 
south and east through Renville, Ward, McHenry, and Bottineau counties, 
North Dakota, and then turns north before returning to Canada in 
southwest Manitoba. The river flows through the cities of Burlington, 
Minot, Sawyer, and Velva, North Dakota. Key features associated with 
the river include the Lake Darling Dam, the Upper Souris National 
Wildlife Refuge, and the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge. The 
Des Lacs River is a major tributary that joins the Souris River at 
Burlington, North Dakota.
    The purpose of this study is to collect and evaluate pertinent 
engineering, economic, social, and environmental information in order 
to assess the potential for a federal flood risk management project 
within the basin. The study objective is to define a feasible and 
implementable project to reduce flood risk which is relatively high 
within the basin. In June 2011, heavy rains in the upstream portions of 
the watershed exceeded the storage capacity of upstream reservoirs 
already full from the April snowmelt. Flows in excess of 26,900 cubic 
feet per second (cfs) overwhelmed the existing Federal flood risk 
management projects (designed to pass 5,000 cfs from Burlington to 
Minot) and emergency flood fighting efforts, causing over $690 million 
in damages to more than 4,700 structures.
    Following the 2011 flood, a non-Federal local flood risk management 
study was initiated by the North Dakota State Water Commission in 
response to a request for assistance from the SRJB. The scope of the 
non-Federal study, identified as the Mouse River Enhanced Flood 
Protection Plan (MREFPP), differs from the Federal study and is 
primarily focused on flood protection specifically for the city of 
Minot. Because of its influence on an existing federal flood project, 
this non-federal effort has requested permission from the Corps of 
Engineers to pursue actions under 33 U.S.C. 408 (frequently referred to 
as Section 408). A separate Notice of Intent was published (FR Doc. 
2015-17670 Filed 7-16-15) for an EIS associated with the Corps of 
Engineers' decision on the Section 408 request. However, this Notice of 
Intent involves an EIS with broader consideration of flood risk across 
the basin. Additional details on the local, non-federal flood MREFPP 
can be found at mouseriverplan.com.
    This Souris River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study and 
its associated NEPA documentation will be prepared by the Corps. The 
Corps will act as the lead agency and coordinate with other agencies to 
discuss their participation in the NEPA process. The study will broadly 
evaluate several alternative measures including, but not limited to: 
levees and floodwalls along the river through towns, diversion 
channels, non-structural flood-proofing, relocation of flood-prone 
structures, and flood storage.
    Significant resources and issues to be addressed in the draft 
Environmental Impact Statement will be determined through coordination 
with Federal agencies, State agencies, local governments, the general 
public, interested private organizations, and industry. Anyone who has 
an interest in participating in the development of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement is invited to contact the St. Paul 
District, Corps of Engineers.

[[Page 55185]]

    To date, the following areas of discussion have been identified for 
inclusion in the DEIS:
    1. Flood damage reduction.
    2. Effects to Fish and wildlife.
    3. Land-use Effects (effects on agricultural land).
    4. Effects to Archaeological, cultural, and historic resources.
    5. Social Effects.
    6. Effects to Groundwater.
    Additional areas of interest may be identified through the scoping 
process, which will include pubic and agency meetings. A notice of 
those meetings will be provided to interested parties and to local news 
media.
    The Corps anticipates holding a series of scoping meetings sometime 
in October, 2016 in the City of Minot and surrounding communities. In 
general, the meetings will begin with an open house and be followed by 
a presentation and question and answer session.
    An environmental review will be conducted under the NEPA of 1969 
and other applicable laws and regulations. It is anticipated that the 
DEIS will be available for public review in the fall of 2017.

    Dated: August 11, 2016.
Terry J. Birkenstock,
Deputy Chief, Regional Planning and Environment Division North.
[FR Doc. 2016-19738 Filed 8-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P