[Federal Register: October 17, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 201)]
[Notices]
[Page 59818]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17oc03-72]
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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION UNITED STATES AND MEXICO
Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for Sediment Removal
Downstream of Retamal Diversion Dam, in the Lower Rio Grande Flood
Control Project, located in Hidalgo County, TX
AGENCY: United States Section, International Boundary and Water
Commission, United States and Mexico.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment (EA)
and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Final
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508); and the U.S. Section's
Operational Procedures for Implementing Section 102 of NEPA, published
in the Federal Register September 2, 1981, (46 FR 44083); the U.S.
Section hereby gives notice that the Draft Environmental Assessment and
Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for Sediment Removal Downstream
of Retamal Diversion Dam, in the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control
Project, located in Hidalgo County, Texas are available.
The project includes dredging the sediment and beneficially use or
dispose of all the material on vacant Mexican Federal Government land
adjacent to the river at the dredging location. The size of the project
area is approximately 4.94 acres, which includes 2.1 acres of wetland.
The EA analyzes potential impacts from dredging approximately 54,000
cubic yards of sediment material, either hydraulically or mechanically,
during the non-irrigation season between September and February when
water levels in the Rio Grande are maintained at lower levels.
Construction activities include transporting dredged materials to
dewatering cells on the Mexican riverbank. A hydraulic piping system
may be set up to transport the slurry mix directly to the final
disposal area or the materials may be transported by trucks provided by
Mexico, depending on the disposal method. A coffer dam may also be
constructed to de-water alternate sides of the river during dredging
activities. The EA provides details of the action, explains the purpose
and need for the action, and assesses the potential impacts of the
Proposed Action. The EA also analyzes the No Action Alternative. On the
basis of the Draft EA, the United States Section has determined that an
environmental impact statement is not required to implement the
proposed action and hereby provides notice of a finding of no
significant impact. An environmental impact statement will not be
prepared unless additional information which may affect this decision
is brought to our attention within thirty (30) days of the date of this
Notice.
The Draft EA and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact have been
sent to the Environmental Protection Agency and various federal, state,
and local agencies and interested parties. The Draft EA and Draft FONSI
are available under ``What's New?'' on the USIBWC Home Page at
http://www.ibwc.state.gov; the reference desk at the public libraries in
Weslaco or Harlingen, TX; or at the USIBWC Mercedes Field Office at 325
Golf Course Road, Mercedes, TX 78570.
DATES: Written comments on the Draft EA and Draft FONSI will be
accepted through November 17, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and inquiries on the Draft FONSI and Draft
EA should be directed to Mr. Daniel Borunda, 4171 N. Mesa, Suite C-100,
El Paso, Texas 79902. Phone: (915) 832-4701, Fax: (915) 832-4167, e-mail: danielborunda@ibwc.state.gov.
Dated: October 7, 2003.
Mario Lewis,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 03-25980 Filed 10-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-03-P