[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 67970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25889]


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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment and 
Finding of No Significant Impact for Aquatic Habitat Restoration in the 
Rio Grande Canalization Project, Sierra and Do[ntilde]a Ana Counties, 
New Mexico and El Paso County, Texas

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The USIBWC hereby gives notice that the Final Environmental 
Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for 
Aquatic Habitat Restoration in the Rio Grande Canalization Project, 
Sierra and Do[ntilde]a Ana Counties, New Mexico and El Paso County, 
Texas is available.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 4, 2009, the USIBWC issued a Record 
of Decision (ROD) on the long-term management of the Rio Grande 
Canalization Project (RGCP) in southern New Mexico and western Texas. 
The ROD committed the USIBWC to the restoration of aquatic and riparian 
habitat at up to 30 sites over 10 years (through 2019). In May 2019, 
USIBWC prepared a Draft EA to analyze the potential impact of seven 
action alternatives and a No Action Alternative to implement aquatic 
habitat within the RGCP. After extensive public input and subsequent 
development of preliminary designs, USIBWC re-evaluated alternative 
sites for aquatic habitat and assessed the feasibility of three 
additional sites, two of which were added to the EA.
    In February 2021, USIBWC prepared an Amended Draft EA, which 
evaluated the potential impacts on natural, cultural and other 
resources of ten alternatives, including the No Action Alternative. 
Restoration actions could include invasive vegetation removal, native 
vegetation planting, overbank lowering, bank cuts, natural levee 
breaches, secondary channels, bank destabilization, channel widening, 
arroyo mouth management, construction of inset floodplains, 
construction of wetland depressions, and use of supplemental water for 
on-site irrigation. A Draft Amended FONSI was prepared for five 
Preferred Alternatives which USIBWC modified from the previous Draft EA 
based on public input.
    The Final five Preferred Alternatives target creation or 
enhancement of a total of 11.6 acres of aquatic features and 18.8 acres 
of riparian habitat. They include two simpler sites, Broad Canyon 
Arroyo, which could be constructed from conceptual designs, and Montoya 
Intercepting Drain Option A, which would be part of the Sunland Park 
East Levee construction; two complex sites requiring engineering 
designs and stakeholder agreements prior construction, Las Cruces 
Effluent and Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park; and one site to be used 
as part of compensatory mitigation for future levee construction, 
Downstream of Courchesne Bridge.
    Permits would be required from the United States Army Corps of 
Engineers for dredge and fill of Waters of the United States, per the 
Clean Water Act Sections 404 and 401. USIBWC would compensate increased 
water consumption through a variety of mechanisms, including acquiring 
water rights, negotiating agreements with the stakeholders, and 
obtaining appropriate State of New Mexico permits and Department of 
Justice approvals.
    Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Final 
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508), and the USIBWC 
Operational Procedures for Implementing Section 102 of NEPA, published 
in the Federal Register September 2, 1981, potential impacts on 
natural, cultural, and other resources were evaluated. A Finding of No 
Significant Impact has been prepared for the Preferred Alternatives 
based on a review of the facts and analyses contained in the EA. 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.

Jennifer Pena,
Chief Legal Counsel, International Boundary and Water Commission, 
United States Section.
[FR Doc. 2021-25889 Filed 11-29-21; 8:45 am]
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