[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 240 (Friday, December 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64337-64338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27114]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Whittier 
Narrow Dam Safety Modification Study, Los Angeles County, California

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

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announces the 
availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Modification Study, Los Angeles County, 
California for review and comment. Pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Corps has prepared a Draft EIS for 
the Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Modification Study (DSMS). The Draft 
EIS evaluates risk management plans (alternatives) to remediate safety 
concerns such as overtopping and seepage. The Draft EIS describes and 
analyses the impacts of risk management plans (RMPs) that are 
formulated, evaluated and compared through the DSMS process in order to 
identify a recommended RMP that reduces risks to downstream life-safety 
and property associated with dam failure. Implementation of the 
recommended risk management plan would mitigate the intolerable Dam 
safety risk and allow the Dam to safely function as originally intended 
and authorized. Without this action, the Dam could fail resulting in 
life-threatening floods to downstream communities. The Proposed Action 
is needed to provide life-safety to the communities downstream of the 
Whittier Narrows Dam.

DATES: Written comments pursuant to the NEPA will be accepted until the 
close of business on January 28, 2019.

ADDRESSES: The document is available for review at:
    (1) https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Projects-Studies/Whittier-Narrows-Dam-Safety-Modification-Study/.
    (2) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, 915 
Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017-3401.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Deborah Lamb, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Los Angeles District, phone number (213) 452-3798. Questions 
or comments regarding the Whittier Narrows Dam DSMS Draft EIS, contact 
Ms. Deborah Lamb by phone or by email to [email protected]. 
or Whittier Narrows DSMS EIS [email protected].
    For further information regarding the Whittier Narrows DSMS, 
contact Mr. Doug Chitwood, (213) 452 3587, or by email to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Background Information. Construction of Whittier Narrows Dam was 
completed in 1957 as an integral component of the Los Angeles County 
Drainage Area (LACDA) system of dams and channelized rivers authorized 
by Congress in the Flood Control Act of 1936. The Whittier Narrows Dam 
primary purpose is flood risk management with recreation added in the 
Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534). Whittier Narrows Dam is 
located approximately 11 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Los 
Angeles County, CA. The dam protects over one million people and 
reduces economic damages to the communities downstream during flood 
events. The Corps has classified Whittier Narrows Dam as very high risk 
due to the potential for seepage and hydrologic issues during rare 
storms that could lead to failure. The DSMS and Draft EIS identify and 
evaluate alternatives to address these deficiencies and reduce the 
annual probability of failure and the

[[Page 64338]]

risk to life safety to within the Corps' tolerable risk guidelines as 
presented in Engineering Regulation 1110-2-1156.
    A Notice of Intent to prepare the Draft EIS was published on July 
22, 2013 in the Federal Register. A public scoping meeting was 
conducted on September 11, 2013 in the City of Pico Rivera, California. 
The Draft EIS is available for a 45-day review period pursuant to the 
NEPA.
    2. Risk Management Plans (Alternatives). In addition to a No Action 
Alternative, the Draft EIS evaluates an array of remediation 
alternatives including: (1) Raising the crest elevation of the dam with 
a 12 foot high parapet wall on top of the crest, constructing an 
auxiliary labyrinth spillway adjacent to the existing spillway, and a 
trench drain and filter blanket; (2) placing a 10 foot wide roller 
compacted concrete series of steps on the downstream slope of the Dam 
embankments with trench drain and filter blanket.
    3. NEPA Scope of Analysis. The Draft EIS evaluates the impacts of 
risk management plans on environmental resources and the human 
environment. Resources initially identified in the NEPA scope of 
analysis as potentially significant without implementation of 
mitigation measures include noise and vibration and recreation.
    Resources initially identified in the NEPA scope of analysis as 
potentially significant without implementation of mitigation measures 
include, but are not limited to: Water quality, noise and vibration, 
air quality, socioeconomics and environmental justice, land use, 
recreation, visual and esthetic resources, traffic and transportation, 
historical and cultural resources, vegetation and wildlife, and special 
status species.
    Public Participation: As part of the public involvement process, 
the Corps' Los Angeles District anticipates the public meeting will be 
held in January 2019. The public review meeting will allow participants 
the opportunity to comment on the Draft EIS. Attendance at the public 
hearing is not necessary to provide comments. Written comments may also 
be given to the contact listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATON CONTACT 
section.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-27114 Filed 12-13-18; 8:45 am]
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