[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 216 (Monday, November 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69201-69202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28495]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report and
Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Santa Cruz River Flood
Risk Management Feasibility Study, Pinal County, Arizona
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (Corps) in
partnership with the Pinal County Flood Control District intends to
prepare an Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact
Statement for the Lower Santa Cruz River Flood Risk Management
Feasibility Study.
DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held on November 9, 2015 from
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Submit written comments concerning this notice
on or before December 9, 2015.
ADDRESSES: The scoping meeting location is: City of Casa Grande Council
Chambers, 510 East Florence Blvd., Casa Grande, AZ 85122.
Mail written comments to: Mr. Kenneth Wong, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Los Angeles District, CESPL-PD-RQ, 915 Wilshire Blvd., Los
Angeles, CA 90017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kenneth Wong, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Los Angeles District, CESPL-PD-RQ, 915 Wilshire Blvd., Los
Angeles, CA 90017, (213) 452-3847, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lower Santa Cruz River Flood Risk
Management Feasibility Study is authorized by the Flood Control Act of
1938 (Pub. L. 761, 75th Congress) for flood control studies on the Gila
River and its tributaries in Arizona and New Mexico. The Santa Cruz
River is a major tributary of the Gila River.
The study will evaluate strategies for minimizing flood risks along
the Lower Santa Cruz River and its major tributaries within an
approximately 1,400 square mile study area in Pinal County. The
northern boundary of the study is the Santa Cruz River's confluence
with the Gila River near the Maricopa County line. The southern
boundary is the Pinal County-Pima County line.
The study will primarily focus on minimizing flood risks associated
with large storm events originating from Mexico and Southern/Central
Arizona. The study area has long been subject to damaging floods. Since
1887, 34 major floods have occurred on the river, an average of one
event every three to four years. Six of the seven most damaging floods
have occurred in the last 50 years. Damage has been widespread and
devastating, including forced aerial evacuations; the loss of entire
buildings; road and bridge closures; destruction of dams, levees,
dikes, high-pressure gas lines, and crops; and severe erosion, channel
migration, and sedimentation.
The potential for flood related damages has increased with
continued population growth within the study area. Pinal County was the
second fastest growing county in the United States during the past
decade, nearly doubling its population to 375,000, with a projected
population of one million by 2030.
Potential alternatives to be evaluated during the course of the
study include:
Diversion/Bypass Channels. Capture floodwaters at an upstream
location, and divert them away from high damage areas to Tat Momolikot
Reservoir.
Channelization. Capture flood flows at an upstream location near
Red Rock, and contain these flows in a channel to a point where they
could be discharged into the Gila River.
Detention. Detain floodwaters upstream and release at a non-
damaging flow rate.
Levees. Construct levees near populated areas and critical
infrastructure.
Nonstructural. Prepare floodplain management plans; install flood
warning systems and prepare emergency evacuation plans; elevate
structures; flood proof structures; and relocate and/or buyout
structures.
Additional alternatives that combine elements of those listed above
may also be evaluated. In addition, the study would also evaluate the
No Action alternative pursuant to NEPA.
The Corps and Pinal County Flood Control District will jointly
conduct a public scoping meeting at the date and address indicated
above. The purpose of the meeting is to present information regarding
the study and receive public comment regarding the appropriate scope,
potential alternatives, and environmental resources of concern.
Participation of affected Federal, state
[[Page 69202]]
and local resource agencies, Native American groups and concerned
interest groups/individuals is encouraged.
The Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact
Statement is expected to be available for public review and comment in
May 2017.
Dated: October 30, 2015.
Kirk E. Gibbs,
Colonel, U.S. Army, Commander and District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2015-28495 Filed 11-6-15; 8:45 am]
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