Notice2021-25889
Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Aquatic Habitat Restoration in the Rio Grande Canalization Project, Sierra and Doña Ana Counties, New Mexico and El Paso County, Texas
Primary source
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Published
November 30, 2021
Issuing agencies
International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico
Abstract
The USIBWC hereby gives notice that the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Aquatic Habitat Restoration in the Rio Grande Canalization Project, Sierra and Do[ntilde]a Ana Counties, New Mexico and El Paso County, Texas is available.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 227 (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 67970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25889]
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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO
Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment and
Finding of No Significant Impact for Aquatic Habitat Restoration in the
Rio Grande Canalization Project, Sierra and Do[ntilde]a Ana Counties,
New Mexico and El Paso County, Texas
AGENCY: United States Section, International Boundary and Water
Commission, United States and Mexico (USIBWC).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The USIBWC hereby gives notice that the Final Environmental
Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for
Aquatic Habitat Restoration in the Rio Grande Canalization Project,
Sierra and Do[ntilde]a Ana Counties, New Mexico and El Paso County,
Texas is available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Verdecchia, Natural
Resources Specialist, USIBWC, El Paso, Texas 79902. Telephone: (915)
832-4701, Fax: (915) 493-2428, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1d587174677c7f786975334b786f79787e7e75747c5d747f6a7e337a726b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eaaf8683908b888f9e82c4bc8f988e8f898982838baa83889d89c48d859c">[email protected]</span></a>.
Availability: The electronic version of the Final EA and FONSI is
available at the USIBWC web page: <a href="https://www.ibwc.gov/EMD/EIS_EA_Public_Comment.html">https://www.ibwc.gov/EMD/EIS_EA_Public_Comment.html</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 4, 2009, the USIBWC issued a Record
of Decision (ROD) on the long-term management of the Rio Grande
Canalization Project (RGCP) in southern New Mexico and western Texas.
The ROD committed the USIBWC to the restoration of aquatic and riparian
habitat at up to 30 sites over 10 years (through 2019). In May 2019,
USIBWC prepared a Draft EA to analyze the potential impact of seven
action alternatives and a No Action Alternative to implement aquatic
habitat within the RGCP. After extensive public input and subsequent
development of preliminary designs, USIBWC re-evaluated alternative
sites for aquatic habitat and assessed the feasibility of three
additional sites, two of which were added to the EA.
In February 2021, USIBWC prepared an Amended Draft EA, which
evaluated the potential impacts on natural, cultural and other
resources of ten alternatives, including the No Action Alternative.
Restoration actions could include invasive vegetation removal, native
vegetation planting, overbank lowering, bank cuts, natural levee
breaches, secondary channels, bank destabilization, channel widening,
arroyo mouth management, construction of inset floodplains,
construction of wetland depressions, and use of supplemental water for
on-site irrigation. A Draft Amended FONSI was prepared for five
Preferred Alternatives which USIBWC modified from the previous Draft EA
based on public input.
The Final five Preferred Alternatives target creation or
enhancement of a total of 11.6 acres of aquatic features and 18.8 acres
of riparian habitat. They include two simpler sites, Broad Canyon
Arroyo, which could be constructed from conceptual designs, and Montoya
Intercepting Drain Option A, which would be part of the Sunland Park
East Levee construction; two complex sites requiring engineering
designs and stakeholder agreements prior construction, Las Cruces
Effluent and Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park; and one site to be used
as part of compensatory mitigation for future levee construction,
Downstream of Courchesne Bridge.
Permits would be required from the United States Army Corps of
Engineers for dredge and fill of Waters of the United States, per the
Clean Water Act Sections 404 and 401. USIBWC would compensate increased
water consumption through a variety of mechanisms, including acquiring
water rights, negotiating agreements with the stakeholders, and
obtaining appropriate State of New Mexico permits and Department of
Justice approvals.
Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Final
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508), and the USIBWC
Operational Procedures for Implementing Section 102 of NEPA, published
in the Federal Register September 2, 1981, potential impacts on
natural, cultural, and other resources were evaluated. A Finding of No
Significant Impact has been prepared for the Preferred Alternatives
based on a review of the facts and analyses contained in the EA. An
environmental impact statement will not be prepared unless additional
information which may affect this decision is brought to our attention
within 30 days from the date of this Notice.
Jennifer Pena,
Chief Legal Counsel, International Boundary and Water Commission,
United States Section.
[FR Doc. 2021-25889 Filed 11-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7010-01-P
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