[Federal Register: March 14, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 51)]
[Notices]
[Page 13871-13872]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14mr08-41]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for the San Bernardino Lakes and
Streams, San Bernardino County, CA
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of the study is to evaluate approximately a 16-
mile reach of the Santa Ana River along the southern boundary of the
City of San Bernardino and the northern boundary of the City of
Redlands located in San Bernardino County, CA. The focus will be on
watershed improvements by developing alternatives for ecosystem
restoration, and incorporating flood risk management features in some
areas in downtown San Bernardino and Redlands. The restoration project
will concentrate on revitalization of the riparian vegetation
community; establish environmental corridor to benefit wildlife and
sensitive species; and address flood risk management uses. The portion
of the Santa Ana River to be studied is located entirely within San
Bernardino County, CA.
DATES: Provide comments by April 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to Mr. Kirk C. Brus at U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Los Angeles District, CESPL-PD-RL, P.O. Box 532711, Los
Angeles, CA 90053-2325.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kirk C. Brus, Environmental
Coordinator, Regional Planning Section, at 213-452-3876; fax 213-452-
4204 or E-mail at kirk.c.brus@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Authorization: The proposed study is
authorized by House Document No. 135, 81st Congress, 1st Session; dated
8 May 1964, which reads as follows:
Resolved by the Committee on Public Works of the House of
Representatives, United States, that the Board of Engineers for
Rivers and Harbors is hereby requested to review the reports on (a)
San Gabriel River and Tributaries, published as House Document No.
838, 76th Congress, 3d Session; and (b) Santa Ana River and
Tributaries.
The proposed study is also authorized by House Document 20, 106th
Congress, 1st Session Adopted April 15, 1999, which reads as follows:
Resolved by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the United States House of Representatives, that the Secretary of
the Army is requested to review the report of the Chief of the
Engineers of Santa Ana River Main Stem, including Santiago Creek,
California, and other pertinent reports to determine whether
modification to the recommendations contained therein are advisable
at the present time in the interest of reducing the risks to public
safety and property caused by flooding from high groundwater
conditions, groundwater liquefaction related water quality
contamination and environmental damage in the City of San
Bernardino, California and adjacent communities.
2. Background: The San Bernardino Valley has undergone considerable
land use changes since 1842 when Mexico granted Rancho San Bernardino
to Antonio Maria Lugo who grazed thousands of head of cattle in the
valley dotted with streams, riparian corridors, wetland and marsh
areas, seeps and meadows. Naval oranges and other profitable
agriculture crops fueled the growth through the 1870's. The 1880's
brought the gold rush, more growth, and from the late 1880's until
1965, the Pacific Electric Railway Company played a significant role in
the development of San Bernardino County. With continued urbanization
and growth and development of industry and new technology land
transitioned from agricultural use to development of business,
industrial and residential property. Due to the development of modern
railroads and the transition from passenger and freight to freight
only, the re-configuration of rail-routes and transportation hubs
through the 1960's and 1970's have significantly impacted San
Bernardino Valley. The growth and development of the community resulted
in the loss or degradation of many of the wetland, marsh and open-water
areas; as well as, the constriction, fragmentation, degradation and
loss in spatial extent of the riparian community that once existed in
the San Bernardino Valley and the Santa Ana River. Impacts to the
groundwater coming from the San Bernardino Mountains have also occurred
due to the changes in land use. In the past, groundwater levels have
risen enough to reach the ground surface, resulting in structural
damage, flooded basements, weakened load-bearing capacity of streets,
disrupted underground utilities, substantially increasing liquefaction
hazard should a seismic event occur, and increased development costs
and limitations. Historic high groundwater levels occurred in 1984
after five consecutive wet years, when groundwater reached unacceptably
high levels in the San Bernardino Valley. The 16-mile reach of the
Santa Ana River located between the City of San Bernardino to the north
and
[[Page 13872]]
the City of Redlands to the south poses damage to riparian ecosystems
from past flooding and groundwater polluting activities. Ecosystem
processes that help maintain groundwater supplies must be protected and
restored where degraded. Flood risk management measures are a way to
support the riparian habitat. Alternatives to be considered are those
that will reduce further degradation of the river and the riparian
ecosystem; improve the quality of both ground and surface waters; and
reduce adverse water quality impacts from runoff.
3. Scoping Process: a. A scoping meeting is scheduled for the
following three dates, times and locations, as follows: April 9, 2008,
6 to 8 p.m., City of Redlands City Council Chambers, 35 Cajon Street,
Suite 2, Redlands, CA 92373; April 10, 2008, 6 p.m to 8 p.m., San
Bernardino County Regional Parks Department Meeting Room, 777 East
Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415, and; April 11, 2008, 6 to 8
p.m., City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency Board Room,
201 North E. Street, Third Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92401. For
additional information on dates, times, and locations please contact
Jim Canady, San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department, at (909)
383-3202. Potential impacts associated with the proposed action will be
evaluated. Resource categories that will be analyzed are: Physical
environment, geology, biological resources, air quality, water quality,
recreational usage, aesthetics, cultural resources, transportation,
noise, hazardous waste, socioeconomics and safety.
b. Participation of affected Federal, State and local resource
agencies, Native American groups and concerned interest groups/
individuals is encouraged in the scoping process. Public participation
will be especially important in defining the scope of analysis in the
Draft EIS/EIR, identifying significant environmental issues and impact
analysis in the Draft EIS/EIR and providing useful information such as
published and unpublished data, personal knowledge of relevant issues
and recommending mitigation measures associated with the proposed
action.
c. Those interested in providing information or data relevant to
the environmental or social impacts that should be included or
considered in the environmental analysis can furnish this information
by writing to the points of contact indicated above or by attending the
public scoping meeting. A mailing list will also be established so
pertinent data may be distributed to interested parties.
Dated: March 7, 2008.
Thomas H. Magness,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Commander.
[FR Doc. E8-5141 Filed 3-13-08; 8:45 am]
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