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Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Flood Risk Management Project on the Red River of the North in Fargo, ND & Moorhead, MN 

PDF Version (1 pp, 44K, About PDF)

[Federal Register: May 5, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 85)]
[Notices]
[Page 20684]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05my09-36]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a
Proposed Flood Risk Management Project on the Red River of the North in
Fargo, ND & Moorhead, MN

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The St. Paul District Corps of Engineers, in partnership with
the City of Fargo, North Dakota and City of Moorhead, Minnesota is
conducting a flood risk management feasibility study for the Fargo-
Moorhead metropolitan area. The feasibility study will focus on
reducing flood risk in the entire Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan area and
surrounding areas. The study will evaluate several alternative
measures, including but not limited to; levees and floodwalls,
diversion channels, non-structural flood-proofing, relocation of flood-
prone structures, and flood storage.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) can be directed to: Mr.
Terry J. Birkenstock, Chief, Environmental and Economic Analysis
Branch, 190 Fifth Street East, St. Paul, MN 55101-1638, telephone:
(651) 290-5264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead,
Minnesota, are on the west and east banks, respectively, of the Red
River of the North approximately 150 miles south of the Canada/United
States border. In addition to the Red River, the Wild Rice, Sheyenne,
Maple and Rush Rivers in North Dakota and the Buffalo River in
Minnesota also cross the study area.
    The purpose of this study is to collect and evaluate pertinent
engineering, economic, social, and environmental information in order
to assess the potential for a federal flood risk management project in
the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area. The study objective is to define
a feasible and implementable project to reduce flood risk in the study
area. The Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area has a relatively high risk
of flooding. The highest river stages usually occur as a result of
spring snowmelt, but summer rainfall events have also caused
significant flood damages. The Red River of the North has exceeded the
National Weather Service flood stage of 17 feet in 51 of the past 107
years, and every year from 1993 through 2009. The study area is between
the Wild Rice River, the Sheyenne River, and the Red River of the
North; interbasin flows complicate the hydrology of the region and
contribute to extensive flooding. Average annual flood damages in the
Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area are currently estimated at over $43 million.
    Fargo and Moorhead have become accustomed to dealing with flooding.
Sufficient time is usually available to prepare for flood fighting
because winter snowfall can be monitored to predict unusual spring
runoff. Both communities have well documented standard operating
procedures for flood fights. Both communities avoided major flood
damages in the historic flood of 1997 by either raising existing levees
or building temporary barriers. Since the 1997 flood, both communities
have implemented mitigation measures, including acquisition of almost
100 floodplain homes, raising and stabilizing existing levees,
installing permanent pump stations, and improving storm sewer lift
stations and the sanitary sewer system. Although emergency measures
have been very successful, they may also contribute to an unwarranted
sense of security that does not reflect the true flood risk in the area.
    The Fargo-Moorhead Metro Feasibility Study and its associated NEPA
documentation will be prepared by the Corps and the cities of Fargo,
North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota. The Corps will act as the lead
agency and the cities will act as cooperating partners.
    The study will evaluate several alternative measures, including but
not limited to: levees and floodwalls along the river through the
towns, diversion channels either west or east of the Fargo-Moorhead
Metro area, non-structural flood-proofing, relocation of flood-prone
structures, and flood storage.
    Significant resources and issues to be addressed in the DEIS will
be determined through coordination with Federal agencies, State
agencies, local governments, the general public, interested private
organizations, and industry. Anyone who has an interest in
participating in the development of the DEIS is invited to contact the
St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers.
    To date, the following areas of discussion have been identified for
inclusion in the DEIS:
    1. Flood damage reduction.
    2. Fish and wildlife.
    3. Land-use Effects (effects on agricultural land).
    4. Archeological, cultural, and historic resources.
    5. Social Effects.
    6. Groundwater (Buffalo Aquifer).
    Additional areas of interest may be identified through the scoping
process, which will include public and agency meetings. A notice of those
meetings will be provided to interested parties and to local news media.
    The first scoping meeting will be held May 19 at Centennial Hall in
Fargo, North Dakota and May 20th at the Hanson Theater on the Minnesota
State University, Moorhead campus in Moorhead, Minnesota. Both meetings
will begin at 5:30 for open house followed by presentation and
questions and answers at 7.
    An environmental review will be conducted under the NEPA of 1969
and other applicable laws and regulations. It is anticipated that the
DEIS will be available for public review in the winter of 2009-2010.

    Dated: April 22, 2009.
Terry J. Birkenstock,
Chief, Environmental and Economic Analysis Branch.
[FR Doc. E9-10309 Filed 5-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P

 
 

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