[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-29]



[[Page 958]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Dam Safety Assurance Evaluation Report, Dover Dam, 
City of Dover, Tuscarawas County, OH

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Huntington District has prepared 
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose potential impacts 
to the natural, physical, and human environment resulting from 
modifications to Dover Dam. This high hazard dam does not conform to 
current design standards related to stability and sliding during a 
probable maximum flood. Modifications are proposed so the Dam will meet 
these standards.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
will be accepted for 45 days following publication of the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of Availability for this Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in the Federal Register 
anticipated to occur on or before January 12, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send all written comments and suggestions concerning this 
proposed project to Rodney G. Cremeans, Project Manager PM-PP-P, U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth Street, 
Huntington, WV 25701-2070. E-mail: Rodney.G.Cremeans@ 
lrh01.usace.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rodney Cremeans, Telephone: (304) 
399-5715.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1203 of the Water Resources 
Development Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-662) provides for modification of 
completed Corps dams and related facilities for safety purposes due to 
new hydrologic or seismic data or changes in state-of-the-art design or 
construction criteria. The National Weather Service generalized 
estimates of Probably Maximum Precipitation (PMP) were used to develop 
flood scenarios and guide design criteria for structures such as Dover 
Dam. These rainfall estimates are considered extreme, with a very low 
probability of occurrence. However, the worst-case storms associated 
with the PMP events retain some probability of occurrence. The Corps 
has determined the dam cannot safely accommodate flooding from 
theoretical Probably Maximum Flood (PMF) events. The dam is also 
believed to be unstable against sliding under conditions below the PMF 
due to known faulting and uncertain foundation bedrock quality. The 
objectives of the project are to develop the most cost effective, 
environmentally sound plan to upgrade Dover Dam to meet current 
hydrologic design standards and to address stability issues associated 
with inadequate bedrock foundation. The objectives also include 
protecting project facilities including the adjacent park area and Ohio 
Route 800.
    Three alternatives: (1) Raise Dam, (2) Dam Overtop and (3) No 
Federal Action are evaluated in detail in the EIS. The Raise Dam 
alternative would allow the dam to safely pass 100% of the PMF through 
raising the existing non-overflow sections with concrete parapet walls 
constructed on the existing dam. To address inadequate bedrock 
foundation and potential for sliding under PMF conditions, the Raise 
Dam alternative also includes installation of anchors in the spillway 
and stilling basin. The Dam Overtop alternative would modify the 
existing non-overflow section of the dam to withstand overtopping, and 
also includes installation of anchors in the spillway and stilling 
basin to address inadequate bedrock foundation. Under the No Federal 
Action alternative no modifications would be done. The Raise Dam 
alternative was chosen as the recommended plan because it more reliably 
meets project objectives, minimizes costs, and has the least adverse 
environmental effects.
    The Corps invites full public participation to promote open 
communication and better decision-making. All persons and organizations 
that have an interest in the Dover Dam Project are urged to participate 
in this NEPA evaluation process. Assistance will be provided upon 
request to anyone having difficulty with learning how to participate.
    A public meeting will be held on January 18th at 7 p.m. at the 
McDonald Marlite Conference Center in New Philadelphia, OH. The public 
hearing will be announced in advance through notices, media news 
releases, and/or mailings.
    Copies of the Draft EIS may be reviewed at the following locations:
    1. Dover Public Library, 525 N. Walnut Street, Dover, OH 44622.
    2. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Muskingum Area Office, 5336 State 
Route 800 NE, Dover, OH 44662-6910.
    3. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, Room 3100, 
502 Eighth Street, Huntington, WV 25701.
    4. http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/review.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 07-29 Filed 1-8-07; 8:45 am]
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