[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 6 (Thursday, January 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1182-1183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27602]


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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


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

AGENCY: United States Section, International Boundary and Water

[[Page 1183]]

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 of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Final 
Regulations, and the USIBWC Operational Procedures for Implementing 
Section 102 of NEPA, published in the Federal Register September 2, 
1981, the USIBWC hereby gives notice that the Final 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Verdecchia, Natural 
Resources Specialist, USIBWC, 4191 N Mesa, C-100; El Paso, Texas 79902. 
Telephone: (915) 832-4701, Fax: (915) 493-2428, email: 
[email protected].
    Availability: The electronic version of the Final EA is available 
on the USIBWC web page: https://www.ibwc.gov/EMD/EIS_EA_Public_Comment.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USIBWC prepared the EA to evaluate the 
environmental effects of continuing to implement the River Management 
Plan (RMP) for the Rio Grande Canalization Project (RGCP) in Sierra and 
Do[ntilde]a Ana Counties, New Mexico and El Paso County, Texas. The RMP 
covers sediment removal from the channel and lower end of tributary 
arroyos; vegetation management along channel banks, floodways, and 
levees; replacement of channel bank rip rap; maintenance of 
sedimentation/flood control dams in the tributary arroyos (since the 
construction of those dams in the early 1970s); maintenance of all RGCP 
infrastructure, including levee roads, bridges, and the American 
Diversion Dam; implementation of channel maintenance alternatives 
(CMAs) within the USIBWC right-of-way (ROW) as outlined in the RMP; and 
implementation/maintenance of habitat restoration sites. 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 
under USIBWC's lease program; conduct increased sediment removal; 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 unsuccessful restoration (either No-Mow Zone managed 
grasslands or habitat restoration) to areas outside of the USIBWC 
jurisdiction, 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 EA. Notice of the Draft EA was published in the 
Federal Register on May 31, 2019 (Federal Register Notice, Vol. 84, No. 
105, Page 25307); USIBWC extended the original thirty-five (35) day 
comment period an additional thirty-one (31) calendar days for a total 
of sixty-six (66) days. USIBWC modified the Preferred Alternative to 
incorporate public input. 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.

    Dated: December 5, 2019.
Rebecca Rizzuti,
Attorney Advisor, International Boundary and Water Commission, United 
States Section.
[FR Doc. 2019-27602 Filed 1-8-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7010-01-P