[Federal Register: March 31, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 62)]
[Notices]
[Page 16904]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31mr04-58]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and
General Reevaluation Report for the Blue River Basin in the Kansas City
Metropolitan Area in Jackson and Cass Counties in Missouri, and
Johnson, Wyandotte, and Miami Counties in Kansas
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District,
intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and
General Reevaluation Report (GRR) for the Blue River Basin to evaluate
flood damage reduction, environmental resource restoration,
recreational resource development, and water quality improvement in the
watershed. The Blue River drainage basin is approximately 272 square
miles located in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area in Jackson and Cass
counties of Missouri, and Johnson, Wyandotte, and Miami counties in
Kansas. The GRR is a reanalysis of a previously authorized plan for the
Blue River Basin using updated planning criteria and policies. The
results of this study may affirm the previous plan; reformulate and
modify the existing plan, as appropriate; or find that no plan is
currently justified. The purpose of this DEIS is to analyze both
beneficial and adverse impacts to the natural, physical and human
environment as a result of implementing any of the proposed project
alternatives that may be developed from the GRR analysis and the EIS
process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John D. Holm, Planning, Programs, &
Project Management Division or Mr. Matthew D. Vandenberg, Environmental
Resource Section, Attn: CENWK-PM-PR, U.S. Army Engineer District,
Kansas City, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2896, Phone
816-983-3100 or e-mail to: John.D.Holm@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background: Public Law 91-611, River and Harbor Act of 1970
(1970 Flood Control Act), authorized the project for ``flood protection
and other purposes in the Blue River Basin, vicinity of Kansas City, MO
and Kansas.'' ``The project for flood protection and other purposes in
the Blue River Basin * * * is hereby authorized substantially in
accordance with the recommendations of the Chief Engineers in House
Document, Numbered 91-332, except that not to exceed $40,000,000 is
authorized for initiation and partial accomplishment of the project.''
House Document 91-332, in the Report of the Chief of Engineers, on page
6 states: ``The major problem in the basin is the widespread and
damaging floods which destroy property and cause hazards to life,
particularly in the highly industrialized lower basin area. Only
slightly less acute is the need for streamflow supplementation to
alleviate the poor quality from unsightliness of low-flow condictions.
There are definite needs for water-based recreation and enhancement of
the fish and wildlife resources. Any plan of improvement should provide
for the preservation and enhancement of parks, parkways, and historical
sites.''
2. Scoping Process: Scoping meetings will be held during 2004 in
the Blue River Basin to obtain comments and input concerning the
proposed Blue River basin reevaluation study. The scoping meetings will
be advertised in the local papers and a mailing list will be used to
notify the public and other interested parties of these meetings. The
public, native American tribes, and affected government agencies at the
local, State, and federal level are encouraged to participate in the
scoping process by forwarding written comments to the above noted
address. Interested parties may also request to be included on the
mailing list for public distribution of meeting announcements and the
status of EIS document preparation. Environmental consultation and
review will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as per regulations of the
Council of Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and other
applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
3. Availability of EIS Documents: The availability of the Draft and
Final EIS will be presented in the Federal Register and by notices in
the local papers. The mailing list will also be used to notify
interested parties of the availability and location of the Draft and
Final EIS for public review.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Alternate Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-7196 Filed 3-30-04; 8:45 am]