[Federal Register: September 5, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 172)]
[Notices]
[Page 52757-52758]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05se03-44]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Pike
County, KY (Levisa Fork Basin), Section 202 Project
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD, Huntington District will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will evaluate potential
impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment as a result of
the proposed flood damage reduction measure for the Levisa Fork and
Russell Fork basins in Pike County, Kentucky.
The Corps of Engineers will conduct a public scoping meeting to
gain input from interested agencies, organizations, and the general
public concerning the content of the EIS, issues and impacts to be
addressed in the EIS, and alternatives that should be analyzed. The
meeting is scheduled for:
Date: Sept. 25, 2003.
Time: 7:00-10:00 PM.
Place: Pikeville High School, 120 Championship Drive, Pikeville, KY
41501.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions concerning this
proposed project to S. Michael Worley PM-PD, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, WV
25701-2070. Telephone: (304) 529-5712. Electronic mail:
Stephen.M.Worley@Lrh01. usace.army.mil. requests to be placed on the
mailing list should also be sent to this address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mark D. Kessinger PM-P, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth Street, Huntington,
WV, 25701-2070. Telephone: (304) 529-5083. Electronic mail:
Mark.d.kessinger@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Authority: The proposed project is
authorized under section 202 of the Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA) of 1996, which provides the Corps authority to ``* * * design
and construct flood control measures relating to the Levisa and Tug
Fork of the Big Sandy River and Cumberland River, West Virginia,
Kentucky and Virginia.''
2. Background: Since the earliest Levisa Fork Basin settlements,
the residents faced the problem of frequent and severe flooding. Many
Pike County communities within the floodplain of the Levisa and Russell
Fork and tributaries were devastated by the April 1977 flood, which was
the flood of record for much of the region. A significant flood again
inundated the Levisa Fork communities in May of 1984. Congressional
reaction to these flood events resulted in the inclusion of funds and
language in various legislative directives that mandated expeditious
implementation of flood damage reduction measures within the study area
covered by the Huntington District's section 202 General Plan.
The study area, primarily residential in nature, includes the
incorporated areas of Pikeville, Coal Run, Elkhorn City, and
unincorporated areas in the county subject to flood damage from the
potential of a reoccurrence of the April 1977 flood. The project
requires providing flood protection measures to approximately 2,000
structures, 75 percent of which are residential.
Alternatives being initially considered include floodwall/levee
systems protecting Pikeville and Coal Run, non-structural flood-
proofing and several ring walls protecting individual structures.
Alternatives to be evaluated in detail in the Draft EIS will be
selected from those described above.
3. Public Participation: The Corps invites full public
participation to promote open communication and better decision-making.
All persons and organizations that have an interest in the Levisa Fork
Basin flooding problems as they affect Pike County and the environment
are urged to participate in this NEPA environmental analysis process.
Assistance will be provided upon request to anyone having difficulty
with learning how to participate.
Public comments are welcomed anytime throughout the NEPA process.
Formal opportunities for public participation include: (1) A public
meeting will be held in the community of Pikeville, KY; (2) anytime
during the NEPA process via mail, telephone or e-mail; (3) during
Review and Comment on the Draft EIS--approximately January of 2004;
and, (4) review of the Final EIS--Spring 2004. Schedules and locations
will be announced in local news media. Interested parties should submit
contact information to be included on the mailing list of public
[[Page 52758]]
distribution of meeting announcements and documents (See ADDRESSES).
Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-22633 Filed 9-4-03; 8:45 am]