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[Federal Register: September 24, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 185)]
[Notices]               
[Page 58372-58373]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24se10-56]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers

 
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Skokomish General Investigation Study, Mason County, WA

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(USACE) will prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report/Environmental 
Impact Statement (FR/EIS) for proposed ecosystem restoration and flood 
risk management in the Skokomish River Basin which empties into Hood 
Canal, near Shelton, Washington. The Skokomish Indian Tribe and Mason 
County are the non-Federal sponsors for the project.
    The Skokomish River General Investigation (GI) Feasibility Study 
for the Skokomish River Basin is being conducted under the authority of 
Section 209 of the Flood Control Act of 1962 (Pub. L. 87-874).
    The Skokomish River channel has been filling with sediment for 
several decades, resulting in frequent flooding and decreasing natural 
ecosystem structures, functions, and processes necessary to support 
critical fish and wildlife habitat throughout the Skokomish River 
Basin. Increased sediment load, reduced flows, and encroachment of the 
floodplain by man-made structures are leading to continued degradation 
of natural ecosystem functions and habitat. The degraded riverine and 
estuarine aquatic habitat has caused a decline in the population of 
critical fish and wildlife species, including multiple ESA listed 
species. Additionally, the channel capacity of the Skokomish River 
varies significantly. Limited channel capacity causes floodwater to 
leave the banks at various locations, ultimately causing frequent 
flooding of local roads, two state highways, agricultural fields, 
residences, and other structures.
    The Skokomish River GI is a basin-wide study; however, work by 
others, constrain the limit of Corps' involvement to actions primarily 
in the lower Skokomish River Valley. Problems, opportunities, and 
objectives will be examined within the context of the entire watershed. 
Recognizing the relationships between the upper and lower watershed 
will ensure a comprehensive study overview.
    The purpose of the FR/EIS and feasibility study is to evaluate if 
there is a federal interest in aquatic ecosystem restoration and flood 
risk management in the Skokomish River Basin.

DATES: Submit comments by October 25, 2010 on the scope of issues to be 
addressed in the draft FR/EIS.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Mr. Patrick 
Cagney, Environmental Resources Section, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Seattle District, P.O. Box 3755, Seattle, WA 98124-3755. Submit 
electronic comments and supporting data to 
patrick.t.cagney@usace.army.mil

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the scoping 
process or preparation of the draft EIS may be directed to Mr. Patrick 
Cagney, telephone (206) 764-3654, e-mail 
patrick.t.cagney@usace.army.mil

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Study Area: The Skokomish River Basin (Basin) is located in 
northwest Washington, predominantly in Mason County. The project study 
area is comprised of the entire drainage basin, including the estuary 
at Annas Bay. The river collects drainage from an approximate 240 
square mile drainage basin, and eventually flows into southern Hood 
Canal, an arm of Puget Sound. The river flows out of three sub-basins 
(South Fork, North Fork, and Vance Creek) into a broad, flat alluvial 
plain known as the Skokomish River Valley. The Skokomish Indian 
Reservation is located within the lower valley and extends along the 
southeast portion of the Olympic Peninsula. The Basin is defined by the 
Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 16 and is located within U.S. 
Congressional District 6 of Washington State.
    2. Alternatives: The EIS will separately evaluate alternatives for 
aquatic ecosystem restoration and flood risk management. Alternatives 
that will be evaluated under aquatic ecosystem restoration will include 
an alternative that uses physical actions to restore the Basin's 
habitat-forming processes and/or create habitats that have been lost as 
a result of historic alterations. Example of actions that could occur 
under this alternative include: increasing floodplain habitat and 
connectivity, restoring off-channel habitat for juvenile fish, 
improving estuarine functions and processes, and increasing emergent 
and riparian vegetation. Another alternative that will be considered 
will focus on benefits to the several aquatic species listed under the 
Endangered Species Act. Actions under this alternative could include 
creation of spawning and

[[Page 58373]]

rearing areas, and additional fish supplementation. The no action 
alternative will also be evaluated.
    Alternatives for flood risk management include evaluation of the 
current levee system. Actions under this alternative may include 
setback levees to improve flood containment. Another alternative would 
study the effects of sediment removal and actions could include: 
sediment traps, dredging and selective gravel removal. Another 
alternative would focus on nonstructural actions such as flood proofing 
and education. The no action alternative will also be evaluated.
    These alternatives are not final and may change and/or new 
alternatives may develop during the scoping and NEPA process. A range 
of ecosystem restoration and flood risk management actions will be 
investigated and more than one option may be included in the preferred 
alternative. Additionally, a number of potential ecosystem restoration 
actions could meet ancillary flood risk management goals.
    3. Scoping and Public Involvement: This notice of intent formally 
commences the scoping process under NEPA. As part of the scoping 
process, all affected Federal, state, and local agencies, Native 
American tribes, interested private organizations, including 
environmental interest groups and the general public are invited to 
comment on the scope of the draft FR/EIS. Comments are requested 
concerning problems in the basin, possible project alternatives, 
mitigation measures, probable significant environmental impacts, and 
permits or other approvals that may be required. The environmental 
review process will be comprehensive and will satisfy the requirements 
of NEPA and other relevant Federal, state, and local environmental 
laws. The public scoping period will occur over a 30-day period to 
commence on September 24, 2010 and will extend through October 25, 
2010. The Draft FR/EIS is expected to be available in November of 2011.
    4. Scoping Meeting: One public scoping meeting will be held on 
October 7, 2010 to identify issues of major concern and obtain public 
input on the range and acceptability of alternatives. This meeting will 
be held at Mason County Public Works, 100 West Public Works Drive, 
Shelton, Washington, 98584. An informal open house will be held between 
4 and 5:30 p.m. A presentation to summarize the purpose of scoping and 
existing information will be made between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Then, verbal 
testimony (maximum 4 minutes) will be taken between 6 and 7 p.m. 
Written comments may be sent by regular or electronic mail to EIS 
Scoping Comments c/o Patrick Cagney (see ADDRESSES). Ongoing 
communication with agencies, Native American tribes, public interest 
groups, and interested citizens will take place throughout the EIS 
development through the use of public meetings, mailings and the 
Internet. Additional meetings will be scheduled upon completion of the 
draft EIS.

Anthony Wright,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 2010-23946 Filed 9-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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