[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 148 (Friday, July 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46074-46075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16598]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the American River 
Common Features Project, American River Erosion Protection and Arden 
Pond Mitigation Components (Sacramento County, California), as 
Authorized Under the Water Resources Development Act of 2016

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Sacramento District, 
the State of California, and Central Valley Flood Protection Board 
(CVFPB) are preparing a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR) for 
the American River Contract 2 (Proposed Action) of the American River 
Common Features (ARCF) Levee Improvement Project authorized by the 
Water Resources Development Act of 2016. This Draft Supplemental EIS/
EIR supplements the ARCF General Reevaluation Report (GRR) Final EIS/
EIR (May 2016). The Proposed Action includes constructing erosion 
protection measures at Lower American River (LAR) sites 2-2 (river mile 
7.5 right bank), and 2-3 (river mile 5.9 right bank), transporting 
excavated materials from site 2-3 to the Arden Pond mitigation site for 
construction of shallow water fish habitat for juvenile salmon, 
construction of a berm to separate the restored Arden Pond from the 
adjacent bass pond, and planting of emergent and riparian vegetation to 
provide Shaded Riverine Aquatic (SRA) habitat. The Proposed Action is 
necessary to protect the levee from erosion damage that could reduce 
its reliability to protect against flooding, and to mitigate loss of 
fish and riparian habitat for the American River Common Features 
Project Endangered Species Act consultation requirements. Conceptual 
components of the Proposed Action were analyzed (erosion protection 
measures) in the ARCF GRR Final EIS/EIR, but some elements of the 
Proposed Action (Arden Pond and SRA habitat mitigation) were not 
analyzed in the ARCF GRR Final EIS/EIR because habitat mitigation 
locations and designs were still in formulation at the time the Final 
EIS/EIR was completed. The USACE has now developed levee erosion 
protection and habitat mitigation designs in sufficient detail to 
analyze their environmental effects.

DATES: Written comments regarding the scope of the environmental 
analysis should be received by August 31, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and suggestions concerning this Project and 
requests to be included on the Project mailing list may be submitted to 
Ms. Andrea Meier, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, 
Attn: Planning Division (CESPK-PDR), 1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 
95814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the Proposed Action 
and draft Supplemental EIS/EIR may be addressed to Ms. Andrea Meier at 
(916) 557-7206, email at [email protected], or by mail at 
1325 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (see ADDRESS). Additional 
information will also be posted periodically on the internet under the 
American River Contract 2 web page at: www.sacleveeupgrades.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Proposed Action. The USACE is preparing a Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)/Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Report (SEIR) to analyze environmental impacts of the authorized 
erosion protection and habitat mitigation components of the larger ARCF 
2016 levee improvement project. The Proposed Action includes 
constructing erosion countermeasures at LAR sites 2-2 and 2-3, 
transporting excavated materials from site 2-3 to Arden Pond, and 
construction of the Arden Pond mitigation site. Bench excavation at LAR 
site 2-3 would provide fill material for the 18-acre Arden Pond 
mitigation site and fill material to construct a berm to separate the 
mitigation area from the remaining 8.3-acre bass pond. The project will 
be implemented as American River Contract 2.
    2. Alternatives. Alternatives that may be considered include: (1) 
Construction of erosion protection measures at LAR site 2-2 and 
excavation of the bench at LAR 2-3; (2) habitat restoration at Arden 
Pond; and (3) the required No Action Alternative.
    3. Scoping Process.
    a. A public scoping meeting will be held in the form of a 
teleconference and/or webinar to present an overview of the American 
River Erosion Protection and Arden Pond Mitigation Projects, the 
Proposed Action and the alternatives that have been identified, and the 
Supplemental EIS/EIR process. Scoping will afford all interested 
parties an opportunity to comment on the scope of analysis in the draft 
document. The public scoping webinar will be held in August 2020. Exact 
date, time, registration details, additional information, and any 
schedule changes will be announced online at: www.sacleveeupgrades.com.
    b. Potentially significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the 
Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR include: Impacts to water quality, air 
quality, climate change, special status species, terrestrial vegetation 
and wildlife, recreation, traffic and circulation, noise, aesthetic and 
visual resources, and cultural resources. The document will also 
evaluate the Proposed Action's anticipated cumulative effects.
    c. The USACE will consult with the National Marine Fisheries 
Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to comply with the 
Endangered Species Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. The 
USACE will also consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer 
and Native American Tribes to comply with the National Historic 
Preservation Act.
    d. A 45-day public review period will be provided for individuals, 
interested parties, and agencies to review and comment on the Draft 
Supplemental EIS/EIR. All interested parties are encouraged to respond 
to this notice and provide a current address if they

[[Page 46075]]

wish to be notified of the Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR circulation.
    4. Availability. The Draft Supplemental EIS/EIR is scheduled to be 
available for public review and comment during winter 2020-2021.

Paul E. Owen,
Brigadier General, U.S. Army Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2020-16598 Filed 7-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P