[Federal Register: August 23, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 164)]
[Notices]
[Page 54646]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23au02-41]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement to
Consider Issuance of a Department of the Army Permit Pursuant to
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for Aluminum Company of America
(Alcoa) Inc.'s Proposal To Construct and Operate Three Oaks Mine in Lee
and Bastrop Counties, TX
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) Fort Worth District has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS). This DEIS evaluates potential impacts to the natural,
physical and human environment as a result of the proposed mining
activities associated with Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) Inc.'s
proposed Three Oaks Mine. The USACE regulates this proposed project
pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The proposed activity
would involve the discharge of dredged and fill material into waters of
the United States associated with the proposed construction and
operation of a surface lignite mine.
DATES: Submit comments by October 22, 2002. A public hearing regarding
this DEIS will be held on October 2, 2002 (see SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION).
ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions concerning this
proposal to Ms. Jennifer Walker, Regulatory Project Manager, Regulatory
Branch, CESWF-PER-R, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District,
P.O. Box 17300, Fort Worth, TX 76102-0300 or via e-mail:
3oakseis@swf02.usace.army.mil. Requests to be placed on the mailing
list should also be sent to this address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jennifer Walker, Regulatory
Project Manager at (817) 886-1733 or via e-mail:
3oakseis@swf02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Discharges of fill material into waters of
the United States are regulated under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act, with the permitting responsibility administered by the USACE. The
proposed project must also address environmental impacts relative to
the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and the Fish
and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA). In accordance with the NEPA, the
DEIS evaluates practicable alternatives for the USACE's decision making
process. As required by NEPA, the USACE also analyzes the ``no action''
alternative as a baseline for gauging potential impacts.
As part of the public involvement process, notice is hereby given
by the USACE Fort Worth District of a public hearing to be held at the
Elgin High School, in Elgin, Bastrop County, TX, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.,
on October 2, 2002. The public hearing will allow participants the
opportunity to comment on the DEIS prepared for the proposed Three Oaks
Mine. Written comments should be sent to Ms. Jennifer Walker (see
addresses). The comments are due 60 days from the date of publication
of this notice. Copies of the DEIS may be obtained by contacting USACE
Fort Worth District Regulatory Branch at (817) 886-1731 or printed from
the Fort Worth District USACE Internet home page at http://
www.swf.usace.army.mil.
Copies of the DEIS are also available for inspection at the
locations identified below:
(1) Bastrop City Hall, 902 Main Street, Bastrop, TX 78602.
(2) Lexington City Hall, P.O. Box 56, Lexington, TX 78947.
(3) Austin City Hall, 124 West 8th Street, P.O. Box 1088, Austin,
TX 78767.
(4) Rockdale City Hall, P.O. Box 586, Rockdale, TX 76567.
(5) Elgin City Hall, P.O. Box 591, Elgin, TX 78621.
(6) Giddings City Hall, 118 E. Richmond Street, Giddings, TX 78942.
(7) Lee County Courthouse, P.O. Box 390, Giddings, TX, 78942.
(8) Milam County Courthouse, P.O. Box 1008, Cameron, TX 76520.
(9) Bastrop County Courthouse, 804 Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602.
(10) Travis County Courthouse, 1000 Guadalupe Street, P.O. Box
1748, Austin, TX 78767.
(11) City of Austin Library--Milwood Branch, 12500 Amherst Drive,
Austin, TX 78727.
(12) City of Austin Library--John Henry Faulk Branch, 800
Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78701.
(13) City of Austin Library--Will Hampton at Oak Hill Branch, 5125
Convict Hill Road, Austin, TX 78749.
(14) City of Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church Street, Bastrop,
TX 78602.
(15) City of Elgin Public Library, 404 North Main Street, Elgin, TX
78621.
(16) City of Giddings Public Library, 177 South Madison Street,
Giddings, TX 78942.
(17) City of Rockdale Public Library, 201 Ackerman Street,
Rockdale, TX 76567.
After the public comment period ends, USACE will consider all
comments received, revise the DEIS as appropriate, and issue a final
Environmental Impact Statement.
Wayne A. Lea,
Chief, Regulatory Branch.
[FR Doc. 02-21307 Filed 8-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-20-M