Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Kennedy-Bechara Segment of the Authorized Rio Puerto Nuevo (Puerto Rico) Flood Control Project

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

(SEIS) for the Kennedy-Bechara Segment of the Authorized Rio Puerto

Nuevo (Puerto Rico) Flood Control Project

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is

finalizing the design for the Kennedy-Bechara segment of the existing

Federal flood control project at Rio Puerto Neuvo, located in San Juan

and Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and is considering several alternatives to

provide the authorized 100 year level of protection in this area. New

alternatives have been developed that may eliminate the need for pumps

or other mechanical drainage. A Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact

Statement (D-SEIS) will be prepared for the project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action

and Draft EIS can be answered by Ms. Barbara Cintron, U.S. Army Corps

of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970,

Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019; Telephone 904-232-1692.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. The proposed action consists of design changes to one segment of

the Congressionally authorized Rio Puerto Nuevo Federal flood control

project, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This large project was

documented in a Final Environmental Impact Statement in 1984, and has

been under construction since 1995. Detailed construction design is

completed in stages, following the guidance of the General Design

memorandum (GDM) published in 1991, and an Environmental Assessment and

Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) published in 1993. At this

time alternative detailed designs are being considered for the Kennedy-

Bechara area. New data and a re-evaluation of previous designs for the

area led to development of new alternatives for this segment.

Alternatives so far developed include the ``base plan'' as discussed in

the GDM, and three additional options, two involving gravity drainage

and one involving pumped drainage.

2. Alternatives under consideration involve spatial and structural

variations in project features that would convey storm runoff to the

receiving body (San Juan Bay). Associated with each alternative, there

may be tradeoffs in the project cost, operation and maintenance

requirements, and adverse effects on natural and manmade features of

the environment, including effects on wetlands and other natural and

cultural resources.

3. A scoping letter will be used to invite comments on alternatives

and issues from Federal, Commonwealth and local agencies, and other

interested private organizations and individuals. A public scoping

meeting has not been scheduled at this time but may be requested and

will be scheduled if the degree of public interest appears to warrant

it.

4. The D-SEIS will analyze issues related to flood reduction

potential, water quality, wetlands impacts, excavated material disposal

alternatives, infrastructure effects, cultural resources impacts,

socio-economic impacts and effects on the San Juan Bay Estuary System.

5. The alternative flood control features will be reviewed under

the provisions of appropriate laws and regulations, including the

Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the

National Historic Preservation Act, the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act,

and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act.

6. The D-SEIS is expected to be available for public review in the

last quarter of Calendar Year 1999.

James C. Duck,

Chief, Planning Division.

[FR Doc. 99-23356 Filed 9-8-99; 8:45 am]

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