[Federal Register: August 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 150)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42679]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05au99-72]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Corps of Engineers; Department of the Army

 
Notice of Intent and Notice of Preparation for an Environmental 
Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for a Proposed 
Ecosystem Restoration of Middle Creek in Lake County, CA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Sacramento District 
(Federal); California Department of Water Resources, Division of Flood 
Management (State); Lake County, California (local).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The objectives of this project are to restore wetland habitat 
and enhance wildlife and fish habitat. Secondary objectives include 
preserving existing resources, improving lake water quality, enhancing 
recreation and tourism, reducing flood risk, and reducing maintenance 
cost and responsibility for Middle Creek along Rodman Slough. The 
intent of this project is to restore the ecosystem functions of a 
historic wetland at the mouth of Middle Creek.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and EIS/EIR can be answered by Jerry Fuentes at (916) 557-6706 or by 
mail at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, ATTN: CESPK-
PD-R, 1325 J Street, Sacramento, California 95814-2922.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Proposed Action

    The Corps, in cooperation with the state (California Department of 
Water Resources and the local sponsor (Lake County), is conducting a 
feasibility investigation on the ecosystem restoration measures 
identified during the reconnaissance phase and described in the Middle 
Creek Ecosystem Restoration Study dated May, 1997. This ecosystem 
restoration investigation proposes to restore the wetland ecosystem 
functions associated with the historical wetland that existed at the 
mouth of Middle Creek.

2. Alternatives

    The feasibility report will address an array of alternatives. 
Alternatives analyzed during the feasibility investigation will be a 
combination of one or more ecosystem restoration measures identified 
during the reconnaissance phase; additional measures may be considered. 
These alternative measures include expanding the natural floodplain, 
restoring open water and marsh habitat, restoring seasonal wetland and 
riparian habitat, enhancing upland habitat, plant marsh and riparian 
vegetation, planting marsh and riparian vegetation, excavating sloughs, 
channels, ponds, expanding lake shoreline and shallow aquatic habitat, 
and reducing height of levees no longer used for flood control.
    a. No Action. There will be no ecosystem restoration measures 
implemented for Middle Creek, Lake County.
    b. Expand the Natural Floodplain.
    c. Restore Robinson Lake from Bloody Island to Clear Lake.
    d. Restore Robinson Lake from Reclamation Road to Clear Lake.

3. Scoping Process

    a. The project study plan provides for public scoping meeting and 
comment. The Corps has initiated a process of involving concerned 
individuals, local, state, and Federal agencies.
    b. Significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the EIS/EIR 
include appropriate levels of the flood damaged reduction, adverse 
affects on vegetation and wildlife resources, special-status species, 
esthetics, cultural resources, recreation, and cumulative impacts of 
related projects in the study area.
    c. The Corps will consult with the State Historic Preservation 
Officer and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide a Fish and 
Wildlife Coordination Act Report an as appendix to the EIS/EIS.
    d. A 45-day public review period will be provided for individuals 
and agencies to review and comment on the EIS/EIR. All interested 
parties should respond to this notice and provide a current address if 
they wish to be notified of the EIS/EIR circulation.

4. Public Meetings

    The first of a series of public scoping meetings will be held on 
August 12, 1999, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Robinson Rancheria, 
Tribal Community Hall, 1545 East Highway 20, Upper Lake, California.

5. Availability

    The EIS/EIR is scheduled to be available for public review and 
comment late in calendar year 2001.

    Dated: July 29, 1999.
Michael J. Walsh,
COL, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 99-20197 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-EZ-M