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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 39 (Monday, March 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 9088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4332]

[[Page 9088]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Notice of Availability for the Final Program Environmental Impact 
Statement/ Environmental Impact Report for the San Diego Creek 
Watershed Special Area Management Plan/Watershed Streambed Alteration 
Agreement Process, Orange County, CA

AGENCY: Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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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, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division (Corps), in 
coordination with the California Department of Fish and Game, Habitat 
Conservation Branch, South Coast Region (Department), has completed a 
Final Program Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact 
Report (EIS/EIR) (Volume III--Evaluation of and Response to Comments/
Errata) for the Special Area Management Plan/Watershed Streambed 
Alteration Agreement (SAMP/WSAA) Process for the San Diego Creek 
Watershed, Orange County, California. The SAMP/WSAA Process establishes 
alternative permitting procedures for projects within the San Diego 
Creek Watershed that would alter the bed, bank, or channel of rivers, 
streams, and lakes and associated riparian habitats under the 
Department's jurisdiction, and discharge dredged or fill material into 
waters of the United States subject to the Corps jurisdiction. The 
SAMP/WSAA Process permitting procedures will improve the Corps and the 
Department's ability to evaluate such projects, as compared to the 
process each agency would normally follow in permitting such projects 
on a case-by-case basis.
    The SAMP is comprised of the following four elements: an Analytical 
Framework that characterizes aquatic resource conditions for the San 
Diego Creek Watershed; modified watershed-specific permitting 
processes, including watershed-specific and resource-based permitting 
protocols and a mitigation framework; a Strategic Mitigation Plan that 
is based upon a riparian ecosystem restoration plan for the Watershed; 
and a Mitigation Coordination Program to achieve implementation of the 
Strategic Mitigation Plan and foster a coordinated approach to aquatic 
resource management in the San Diego Creek Watershed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or comments concerning the 
Final Program EIS/EIR should be directed to Ms. Corice Farrar, SAMP 
Project Manager, Regulatory Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los 
Angeles District, P.O. Box 532711, 915 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, 
CA 90053-2325, (213) 452-3296. Alternatively, comments can be submitted 
electronically to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Bound copies of the Final Program EIS/EIR 
will be made available to the public for review at the following 
library reference desks: University of California at Irvine, Langson 
Library (Irvine, California); Newport Beach Central Library (Newport 
Beach, California); Heritage Park Regional Library (Irvine, 
California); and Santa Ana Public Library (Santa Ana, California). A CD 
copy of the document may be obtained by contacting Ms. Farrar in 
writing at the address or e-mail above. Interested parties are invited 
to provide their comments on the Final Program EIS/EIR; such comments 
will to become a part of the official record and considered in the 
final decision. Written comments must be received on or before March 
27, 2009 and should be submitted to the contact listed above. A Record 
of Decision (ROD) will be issued by the Corps no earlier than 30 days 
after this Notice of Availability. The Department intends prepare its 
findings, certify the Final Program EIS/EIR after the Corps issues its 
ROD, and issue a Notice of Determination. The 30-day NEPA review period 
and the CEQA 10-day waiting period shall run concurrently.

David J. Castanon,
Chief, Regulatory Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles 
District.
[FR Doc. E9-4332 Filed 2-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-KF-P
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