[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 105 (Friday, May 31, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25307-25308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11401]


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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION


United States and Mexico; United States Section; Notice of 
Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Continued Implementation of the 
River Management Plan for the Rio Grande Canalization Project

AGENCY: United States Section, International Boundary and Water 
Commission, United States and Mexico (USIBWC).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Final 
Regulations, and the United States Section, Operational Procedures for 
Implementing Section 102 of NEPA, published in the Federal Register 
September 2, 1981, the United States Section hereby gives notice that 
the Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact 
for the Continued Implementation of the River Management Plan for the 
Rio Grande Canalization Project is available. An Environmental Impact 
Statement will not be prepared unless additional information which may 
affect this decision is brought to our attention within 30 days from 
the date of this Notice.

DATES: Public Comments: USIBWC will consider substantive comments from 
the public and stakeholders for 30 days after

[[Page 25308]]

the date of publication of this NOA in the Federal Register.
    Please note all written and email comments received during the 
comment period will become part of the public record, including any 
personal information you may provide. Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so. All submissions from 
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their 
entirety.
    Public Hearings: USIBWC will be conducting two public hearings: 
June 18, 2019; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Las Cruces City Hall, 2nd Floor, 
Conference Room 2007A, 700 N. Main Street, Las Cruces, NM 88001; and 
June 19, 2019; 5-7 p.m., USIBWC American Dam/Carlos Marin Field Office, 
2616 W. Paisano Drive, El Paso, TX 79922.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: Elizabeth Verdecchia, Natural 
Resources Specialist, USIBWC, 4171 N. Mesa, C-100; El Paso, Texas 
79902. Telephone: (915) 832-4701, Fax: (915) 493-2428, email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Verdecchia, Natural 
Resources Specialist, USIBWC, 4171 N. Mesa, C-100; El Paso, Texas 
79902. Telephone: (915) 832-4701, Fax: (915) 493-2428, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: On June 4, 2009, the USIBWC issued a Record of Decision 
(ROD) on the long-term management of the Rio Grande Canalization 
Project (RGCP) through 2019. The ROD committed the USIBWC to implement 
environmental measures, change management practices, and update the 
River Management Plan (RMP). The RMP covers levee maintenance; 
vegetation management; continued implementation and maintenance of 
restoration sites; endangered species management; channel maintenance; 
and channel maintenance alternatives (CMAs) within the USIBWC right-of-
way (ROW). The EA will replace the ROD and proposes a timeline to 
implement the RMP through 2030. The EA evaluates potential impacts of 
seven alternatives, including the No Action Alternative. Under the 
Preferred Alternative, USIBWC would continue implementation of the RMP; 
designate up to 65 miles through the USIBWC ROW for the New Mexico Rio 
Grande Trail and Texas trails; re-evaluate and construct additional 
CMAs potentially outside of the ROW; increase efforts to engage 
stakeholders through the Sediment Control Initiative Federal Workgroup 
and stakeholder groups; and transfer up to 500 acres of restoration 
outside of the USIBWC jurisdiction of either No-Mow Zone managed 
grasslands or unsuccessful habitat restoration, via partnerships.
    Potential impacts on natural, cultural, and other resources were 
evaluated. A Finding of No Significant Impact has been prepared for the 
Preferred Alternative based on a review of the facts and analyses 
contained in the Draft EA.
    Availability: The electronic version of the Draft EA is available 
from the USIBWC web page: https://www.ibwc.gov/EMD/EIS_EA_Public_Comment.html

    Dated: May 24, 2019.
Matt Myers,
Chief Legal Counsel, International Boundary and Water Commission, 
United States Section.
[FR Doc. 2019-11401 Filed 5-30-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7010-01-P