[Federal Register: August 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 167)]
[Notices]
[Page 51768]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28au03-34]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Coldwater River Basin Below Arkabutla Lake, MS, Project
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The study area is located in the Coldwater River Watershed in
northwest Mississippi, approximately 10 miles southwest of Memphis, TN.
The northwest part of this watershed below Arkabutla Lake is the object
of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and lies primarily in
Tunica County and includes portions of De Soto, Coahoma, Quitman, and
Tate Counties. Primary streams represented in the study area include
Coldwater River, McKinney Bayou, Lake Cormorant Bayou, White Oak Bayou,
Muddy Bayou, Phillips Bayou, and David Bayou. The primary focus of the
EIS is to evaluate features designed to alleviate water resource
problems in the study area. The local cost-sharing project sponsors are
the Tunica County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Yazoo-
Mississippi Delta Joint Water Management District.
DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held on September 23, 2003, at
7 p.m. in the Economic Development Building, 3092 U.S. Highway 61
South, Tunica, MS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and Draft EIS should be directed to Ms. Karen Dove-Jackson (telephone
(601) 631-7136), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District,
ATTN: CEMVK-PP-PQ, 4155 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180-3435.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This project is authorized by Senate
Resolution adopted June 29, 1973, by the Committee on Public Works of
the U.S. Senate. The resolution reads as follows:
``Resolved by the Committee on Public Works of the United States
Senate, That the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, is hereby requested
to review the report on the Mississippi River and Tributaries
Project contained in House Document No. 308, 88th Congress, 2d
Session, and other reports with a view to determining whether any
modifications of the recommendations contained therein are advisable
at the present time with reference to providing a plan for the
development, utilization and conservation of water related land
resources of the Yazoo Basin, including the backwater areas of the
Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. Such study should include appropriate
considerations of the needs for flood protection, wise use of flood
plain lands, bank stabilization, navigation facilities, regional
water supply and waste water management facilities systems, general
recreation facilities, enhancement and control of water quality,
enhancement and conservation of fish and wildlife and other measures
for the protection and enhancement of the environment.''
1. A Section 905(b) reconnaissance analysis was conducted for the
Coldwater River Basin Below Arkabutla Lake, Mississippi, project, and
it was determined that the planning process should proceed into the
more detailed feasibility phase based on a preliminary appraisal of
Federal interest, estimated costs, potential benefits, and possible
environmental impacts of various alternatives. The Feasibility Cost-
Sharing Agreement was signed by the Vicksburg District and project
sponsors on June 18, 2003. The District Engineer has decided to prepare
a Draft EIS to fully address/evaluate problems and potential solutions
and/or opportunities within the Coldwater River Basin Below Arkabutla
Lake, Mississippi, project area.
2. The proposed action involves the development of an integrated
and comprehensive plan for addressing multiple project objectives,
including water quality, local drainage, low stream base flows, and
flood damage reduction from expected increases in development in the
study area.
3. A public scoping meeting will be held in Tunica, Mississippi, in
the Economic Development Building, on September 23, 2003 (See DATES).
Significant issues identified during this scoping process will be
analyzed in depth in the Draft EIS. The U.S. Coast Guard; Natural
Resources Conservation Service; U.S. Forest Service; Environmental
Protection Agency; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Mississippi
Department of Environmental Quality; and Mississippi Department of
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will be invited to become cooperating
agencies. Federally recognized Indian tribes will also be invited to
become cooperators. These agencies and tribes will be asked to
participate in the review of data and the feasibility report and
appendixes.
4. Upon completion, the Draft EIS will be distributed for agency
and public review and comment. Additionally, a public meeting will be
held to present results of the Draft EIS evaluations and the
recommended plan.
5. The Draft EIS is estimated to be completed in May 2007.
Dated: August 15, 2003.
Frederick L. Clapp, Jr.,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 03-22023 Filed 8-27-03; 8:45 am]