[Federal Register: June 28, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 123)]
[Notices]
[Page 37095]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jn05-57]
[[Page 37095]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Success Dam Seismic Remediation Project, CA
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 of 1969, as
amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District (Corps),
intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the
Federal action to remediate seismic dam safety concerns at the Lake
Success Project located on the Tule River, near Porterville, CA. The
proposed action is being conducted through the Corps' Dam Safety
Assurance Program for the evaluation of existing dams.
ADDRESSES: Submit questions or comments regarding the subject dam
safety project to Mr. Matt Davis, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1325 J.
Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-2922, fax (916) 557-7856, or e-mail:
Matthew.G.Davis@usace.army.mil. Requests to be placed on a mailing list
for this project should also be sent to this address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Matt Davis, (916) 557-6708.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background Information. Based on current
engineering knowledge, the Corps has determined that Success Dam near
Porterville, CA, in Tulare County, has a fairly high likelihood of
failure in the event of an earthquake. All studies that have been
conducted show that the dam is likely to fail under relatively low
levels of earthquake shaking. The estimated probability of a damaging
earthquake that would breach or overtop the dam in its current
condition is 1 in 285. Historical records indicate that at least three
times between 1857 and 1952, earthquakes shook the future Success Dam
site sufficiently that the current dam would have been seriously
damaged with a likely release of the reservoir had the dam been
present. However, no such earthquakes have occurred in the 44 years
since the dam was built. Given the potential for seismicity at and near
the Success Dam, along with the characteristics of the materials
comprising the dam and its foundation, remediation work is required to
prevent loss of life, extensive downstream damage, functional loss of
the project, and loss of all project benefits. The project is currently
being operated at a reduced capacity to deal with the risk until a
permanent solution is implemented to address the dam safety concern.
2. Proposed Action and Alternatives. The Corps' tentatively
preferred alternative is to construct a new roller compacted concrete
(RCC) dam immediately downstream of the existing earthen dam. In
addition to the no-action alternative, other alternatives to be
evaluated include a new earthen embarkment dam immediately downstream
of the existing dam, and modifications to the existing dam consisting
of upstream jet grout with removal and replacement of the downstream
foundation. The proposed RCC dam alternative would not provide any
additional storage capacity beyond the existing dam. However,
additional storage for flood protection and irrigation water would be
provided under the separately authorized dam spillway raise project.
Construction of the spillway raise project may be integrated into the
construction of the dam safety project. The exact nature and extent of
alternatives will be determined based on public and agency input during
the scoping period and preparation of the Draft EIS.
3. Issues to be Addressed. The Draft EIS will address environmental
issues concerning the proposed action. Issues will be identified based
on public input during the scoping period and during preparation of the
Draft EIS. Issues identified initially as potentially significant
include: hydrology, biological resources, recreation, land use, visual
quality, traffic safety, cultural resources, noise, and air quality.
4. Public Involvement. The Corps will hold a public scoping meeting
to receive public comments and to solicit input regarding environmental
issues of concern to the public and the alternatives that should be
addressed in the Draft EIS. The public scoping meeting place, data and
time will be advertised in the Draft EIS. The public scoping meeting
place, date and time will be advertised in advance in local newspapers,
and meeting announcement letters will be sent to interested parties.
Written comments may also be submitted via mail and should be directed
to Mr. Matt Davis (see ADDRESSES).
5. Cooperating Agencies. Federal agencies interested in
participating as a Cooperating Agency are requested to submit a letter
of intent to Colonel Ronald N. Light, District Engineer (see
ADDRESSES).
6. Availability of Draft EIS. The Corps intends to issue the Draft
EIS in the spring of 2006. The Corps will announce availability of the
draft in the Federal Register and other media, and will provide the
public, organizations, and agencies with an opportunity to submit
comments, which will be addressed in the Final EIS.
Dated: June 13, 2005.
Ronald N. Light,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05-12704 Filed 6-27-05; 8:45 am]