[Federal Register: November 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 222)]
[Notices]               
[Page 63013-63014]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18no99-39]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

 
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental 
Impact Report (EIS/R) and Feasibility Report for the Upper Penitencia 
Creek, California, Flood Control Study

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The San Francisco District, U.S. Army corps of Engineers, 
together with its non-Federal sponsor, the Santa Clara Valley Water 
district, is conducting a feasibility study for flood control along 
Upper Penitencia Creek, Santa Clara County, California. Based on the 
results of the reconnaissance study the Corps has determined there is a 
Federal interest in two alternatives that would modify the floodplain, 
construct a bypass culvert, and in the alternative, floodproof some 
structures. These alternatives would provide net economic benefits 
while minimizing environmental impacts. The Corps of Engineers is the 
lead agency for this project under the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA), and the Santa Clara Valley Water district (SCVWD) is the 
lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The 
EIS/R will enable the lead agencies to comply with the requirements of 
NEPA and CEQA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written comments and questions 
regarding the scoping process or preparation of the EIS/R should be 
directed to Mr. Bill DeJager at (415) 977-8670 or Mr. Gary Flickinger 
at (415) 977-8548 at the U.S. Army Corps of

[[Page 63014]]

Engineers, San Francisco District, 333 Market Street, 7th Floor, 
Planning Branch, San Francisco, CA 94105-2197.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authority

    The feasibility study is being conducted under authority of the 
Flood Control Act of 18 August 1941, which authorized a preliminary 
examination and survey of the Coyote River (now Coyote Creek) and its 
tributaries. A reconnaissance study of flood control alternatives along 
Upper Penitencia Creek was completed in 1995. This study determined 
there is a Federal interest in a flood control project in the study 
area. A detailed (feasibility) study has subsequently been initiated 
with the SCVWD to support further Federal participation in the project.

2. Alternatives

    Three basic alternatives, each with three subalternatives, were 
developed for the reconnaissance study. These alternatives included 
various combinations of modified floodplains, bypass channels, 
trapezoidal channels, and floodproofing. The feasibility study will 
examine a range of alternative methods of flood control.

3. Comments and Scoping Meetings

    The Corps of Engineers is requesting public input during the EIS/R 
preparation for this project. All interested Federal, State, and local 
agencies, Indian tribes, private organizations, and individuals are 
invited to participate in the environmental scoping process established 
by Federal regulations. A scoping meeting will be held on December 1, 
1999, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at the Education Center Lounge, East 
Side Union High School, 830 N. Capitol Ave., San Jose, California 
95133. The purpose of the meeting is to determine the environmental 
issues of concern to the public that should be addressed by the EIS/R. 
A public comment period for the proposal will open on November 19, 
1999, and will close on December 20, 1999. The public will have an 
additional opportunity to comment on proposed alternatives after the 
EIS/R is released to the public at a later date. This EIS scoping 
meeting will also serve as a scoping meeting for the purposes of CEQA.

4. Issues to be Considered

    The EIS/R will examine environmental issues of public concern 
arising from the scoping process, and project impacts already known to 
the Corps. These impacts will include, but are not limited to: 
wildlife, fisheries, threatened and endangered species, vegetation, 
water quality, recreation and park development, aesthetics, 
transportation, cultural resources, public safety, and noise. The EIS/R 
will disclose the project's compliance with all applicable statues, 
rules, and regulations. Included will be coordination with the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under the Fish and Wildlife 
Coordination Act, coordination with the FWS and the National Marine 
Fisheries Service under the Endangered Species Act, and coordination 
with the State of California under the Federal Clean Water Act and 
Clean Air Act.
Erik T. Blechinger,
Maj, En, Deputy Commander.
[FR Doc. 99-30159 Filed 11-17-99; 8:45 am]
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