[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 59180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23669]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Withdrawal of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Ballona Creek Ecosystem 
Restoration Feasibility Study, Los Angeles County, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(Corps) published a Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Ballona 
Creek Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study in the Federal Register 
on September 20, 2005 (70 FR 55116). The study's purpose is to evaluate 
structural and non-structural means of restoring diminished ecosystem 
functions and services within the lower reach of Ballona Creek 
including coastal wetlands. Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission 
(SMBRC) is the local sponsor for the cost-shared study.
    On September 29, 2005, a public scoping meeting was held pursuant 
to requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and Engineer 
Regulations 1105-2-100. Baseline conditions portions of the EIS/EIR 
have been completed as of January, 2012. On July 17, 2012, the SMBRC 
requested the Corps terminate the study. Therefore, the Corps is 
withdrawing the Notice of Intent to Prepare a draft EIS/EIR.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jodi Clifford, Chief, 
Environmental Resources Branch. Mailing Address: Ms. Jodi Clifford, 
Chief, Environmental Resources Branch, Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles 
District, CESPL-PD-R, 915 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90017. 
Telephone: (213) 452-3840. Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps is no longer pursing restoration 
within Ballona Creek as a cost-shared study within its Civil Works 
program. Although SMBRC requested the Corps terminate the feasibility 
study, SMBRC, acting on behalf of the California Department of Fish and 
Game, is moving forward with plans for ecosystem restoration within 
Ballona Creek. SMBRC must obtain permissions from the Corps to proceed 
with implementation of its restoration proposals. Therefore, the Corps 
is initiating an EIS pursuant to its authorities under Section 404 of 
the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the 1899 Rivers and Harbors Act, and 
Title 33, U.S. Code, Section 408 for a project to be planned and 
carried out by SMBRC. To that end, the Corps published a Notice of 
Intent to Prepare an EIS in the Federal Register on July 25, 2012 (77 
FR 43575). A scoping meeting was held on August 16, 2012. All technical 
studies and reports prepared under the Civil Works feasibility study 
authority will be utilized to the maximum practical extent in support 
of the EIS/EIR process now underway.

    Dated: September 12, 2012.
R. Mark Toy,
Colonel, U.S. Army Commander and District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2012-23669 Filed 9-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P