[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 13238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7042]
[[Page 13238]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Hamilton Army Airfield
Wetland Restoration Project, Marin County, CA
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District and
the California State Coastal Conservancy propose to restore wetland
habitat at the former Hamilton Army Airfield and adjacent properties.
The airfield lies on former tidal wetland that has been diked to
protect it from tidal flooding. The area has subsided significantly
since its removal from tidal action. The project may modify existing
levees and construct new ones around the project area. Dredged material
suitable for wetland creation would be used to bring the area to an
elevation where marsh would establish itself, after which the bayfront
levee would be breached, returning tidal action to the area.
Restoration without the use of dredged material is also being
considered.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions regarding the scoping process or preparation of the EIS/EIR
may be directed to Eric Jolliffe, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 333
Market Street, Seventh Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105-2102, (415) 977-
8543, or Terri Nevins, California State Coastal Conservancy, 1330
Broadway, Suite 1100, Oakland, CA 94612-2530, (510) 286-4161.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the
Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508),
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Public Law 102-484
Section 2834, as amended by Public Law 104-106 Section 2867, the
Department of the Army and the California State Coastal Conservancy
hereby give notice of intent to prepare a joint Environmental Impact
Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Proposed
Hamilton Army Airfield Wetland Restoration Project, Marin County,
California.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be the lead agency in
preparing the EIS. The EIS/EIR will provide an analysis supporting the
requirements of both NEPA and CEQA in addressing impacts to the
environment which may result from restoring wetland habitat at the
former Hamilton Army Airfield and adjacent properties.
1. Proposed Action
The Hamilton restoration site consists of the former Hamilton Army
Airfield, adjacent Navy ballfields, and the former Hamilton North
Antenna Field. The project would restore up to 950 acres of tidal marsh
and seasonal wetland at the site. All restoration alternatives have a
goal of creating a mix of 80% tidal marsh and 20% seasonal wetland.
Existing levees would be raised and new ones would be constructed
around the perimeter of the site. The re-establishment of tidal marsh
would require higher elevations than currently exist to allow the
growth of wetland vegetation. These higher elevations could probably be
achieved by breaching the existing bayfront levee and allowing tidal
activity to deposit sediments. However, placement of suitable dredged
material at the site to raise elevations closer to the eventual marsh
plain would allow marsh vegetation to establish much sooner. In
addition, the placement of suitable dredged material or other suitable
fill is needed to achieve target elevations for seasonal wetland
habitat restoration. Placement of dredged material would be
accomplished by pumping a slurry of dredged material to the site from
barges moored in San Pablo Bay.
2. Project Alternatives
a. No action. The area would remain free from tidal action as it is
now and no marsh would develop. Pumps would continue to be required to
remove runoff water.
b. Wetland would be restored to the Airfield and Navy ballfields
without the use of dredged material. Approximately 700 acres of wetland
would be restored.
c. Wetland would be restored to the Airfield and Navy ballfields
using dredged material to accelerate marsh establishment and raise
elevations for seasonal wetlands. Approximately 700 acres of wetland
would be restored.
d. Wetland would be restored to the Airfield and adjacent
properties at the site without the use of dredged material.
Approximately 950 acres of wetland would be restored.
e. Wetland would be restored to the Airfield and adjacent
properties at the site using dredged material to accelerate marsh
establishment and raise elevations for seasonal wetlands. Approximately
950 acres of wetland would be restored.
3. Scoping Process
Federal, state and local agencies, and interested individuals are
invited to participate in the scoping process to determine the range of
issues and alternatives to be addressed. The California State Coastal
Conservancy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold two public
scoping meetings to receive oral and written comments at the following
locations and times:
9:30 am-12:00 pm, March 25, 1998, Hamilton Community Center, 203 Bel
Bonito Street, Novato, California
And
7:30 pm-10:00 pm, March 30, 1998, Novato City Council Chambers, 908
Machin Drive, Novato, California.
In addition, written comments will also be accepted until April 8,
1998 at the addresses listed above.
4. Availability of EIS/EIR
The Draft EIS/EIR should be available for public review in August
1998.
Richard G. Thompson,
Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 98-7042 Filed 3-17-98; 8:45 am]
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