[Federal Register: March 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 61)]
[Notices]
[Page 16653]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28mr08-52]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Potable Water Supply for Washington Parish
Reservoir, Project
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The study area comprises Washington Parish in southeast
Louisiana. Washington Parish currently consumes approximately 40
million gallons of water daily, 70 percent of which is supplied by
groundwater. Decreasing groundwater levels (quantity) and groundwater
quality, in combination with forecasted growth within the Parish
require alternative water supplies to be developed. The purpose of the
project is to identify a new water supply to address the current and
future potable water demands of Washington Parish. The Local Project
Sponsor is the Washington Parish Reservoir Commission.
DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held on April 10, 2008 at 5:30
p.m.
ADDRESSES: The public scoping meeting will be held in Bogalusa, LA at
the Bogalusa City Hall, 202 Arkansas Avenue, Bogalusa, LA 70427.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and Draft EIS should be directed to: Karen Dove-Jackson at (601) 631-
7136, Vicksburg District, Corps of Engineers, 4155 Clay Street, CEMVK-
OD-FE, Vicksburg, MS 39183-3435.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Louisiana House Bill 216, 2003
Regular Session, the Louisiana Legislature created the Washington
Parish Reservoir Commission as a State Entity. This law gives the
Washington Parish Reservoir Commission the power to obtain land needed
for the reservoir pursuant to the State of Louisiana's principle of
eminent domain, and in accordance with the Louisiana Laws and Revised
Statutes for this principle.
1. The Washington Parish Reservoir Commission completed a site
selection study (January 2005) to determine a recommended best source
of future potable water for Washington Parish. The study concluded that
creation of a surface water reservoir by damming Bogalusa Creek was the
most desirable. The Washington Parish Reservoir Commission subsequently
completed a preliminary engineering report (December 2006) that
presented preliminary design, planning level costs estimates, and
preliminary construction plans for a water supply reservoir. Based upon
review of the site selection report, the Corps concluded that the
proposed project had the potential for significant impacts to the human
and natural environment. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
requires the preparation of an EIS for proposals that are subject to
federal funding, control, responsibility and permitting, and which have
the potential for significant impacts. The proposed project would
affect wetlands, which are regulated by the Corps, and require a permit
to comply with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Because the proposed
project would require federal involvement, it is subject to NEPA.
Preliminary alternatives being considered include construction of a new
surface water supply reservoir, construction of distribution systems to
make available existing surface water supplies, and increased use of
groundwater.
2. The Southern Hills Aquifer system supplies Washington Parish
with potable water. The Southern Hills Aquifer system is one of the
most heavily pumped aquifers in Louisiana, supplying 290 million
gallons per day for consumption. Recent studies indicate that the
Southern Hills Aquifer system is supplying more water annually than it
can sustain, and water levels in the aquifer are dropping as much as
one foot annually. In addition to aquifer water levels, the water
quality of the aquifer is also declining.
3. A public scoping meeting will be held (see DATES and ADDRESSES).
Significant issues identified during this scoping process will be
analyzed in depth in the Draft EIS.
4. Upon completion, the Draft EIS will be distributed for agency
and public review and comment. Additionally, a public meeting will be
held to present results of the Draft EIS evaluations and the
recommended plan.
5. The Draft EIS is estimated to be completed in September 2008.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-6447 Filed 3-27-08; 8:45 am]
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