[Federal Register: September 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 174)]
[Notices]               
[Page 48995]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09se99-31]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

 
Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
(SEIS) for the Kennedy-Bechara Segment of the Authorized Rio Puerto 
Nuevo (Puerto Rico) Flood Control Project

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is 
finalizing the design for the Kennedy-Bechara segment of the existing 
Federal flood control project at Rio Puerto Neuvo, located in San Juan 
and Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and is considering several alternatives to 
provide the authorized 100 year level of protection in this area. New 
alternatives have been developed that may eliminate the need for pumps 
or other mechanical drainage. A Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (D-SEIS) will be prepared for the project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and Draft EIS can be answered by Ms. Barbara Cintron, U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970, 
Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019; Telephone 904-232-1692.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. The proposed action consists of design changes to one segment of 
the Congressionally authorized Rio Puerto Nuevo Federal flood control 
project, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This large project was 
documented in a Final Environmental Impact Statement in 1984, and has 
been under construction since 1995. Detailed construction design is 
completed in stages, following the guidance of the General Design 
memorandum (GDM) published in 1991, and an Environmental Assessment and 
Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) published in 1993. At this 
time alternative detailed designs are being considered for the Kennedy-
Bechara area. New data and a re-evaluation of previous designs for the 
area led to development of new alternatives for this segment. 
Alternatives so far developed include the ``base plan'' as discussed in 
the GDM, and three additional options, two involving gravity drainage 
and one involving pumped drainage.
    2. Alternatives under consideration involve spatial and structural 
variations in project features that would convey storm runoff to the 
receiving body (San Juan Bay). Associated with each alternative, there 
may be tradeoffs in the project cost, operation and maintenance 
requirements, and adverse effects on natural and manmade features of 
the environment, including effects on wetlands and other natural and 
cultural resources.
    3. A scoping letter will be used to invite comments on alternatives 
and issues from Federal, Commonwealth and local agencies, and other 
interested private organizations and individuals. A public scoping 
meeting has not been scheduled at this time but may be requested and 
will be scheduled if the degree of public interest appears to warrant 
it.
    4. The D-SEIS will analyze issues related to flood reduction 
potential, water quality, wetlands impacts, excavated material disposal 
alternatives, infrastructure effects, cultural resources impacts, 
socio-economic impacts and effects on the San Juan Bay Estuary System.
    5. The alternative flood control features will be reviewed under 
the provisions of appropriate laws and regulations, including the 
Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the 
National Historic Preservation Act, the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, 
and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act.
    6. The D-SEIS is expected to be available for public review in the 
last quarter of Calendar Year 1999.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 99-23356 Filed 9-8-99; 8:45 am]
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