Notices. Notice
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/register/2018/11/26/2018-25647A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Availability of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study—Brandon Road Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement—Will County, Illinois AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island and Chicago Districts, have developed “The Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS)—Brandon Road Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)—Will County, Illinois,” (Final GLMRIS-Brandon Road Report & EIS).
The Final GLMRIS-Brandon Road Report & EIS presents a plan that could prevent aquatic nuisance species
(ANS)transfer from the Mississippi River Basin to the Great Lakes Basin through an aquatic connection in the Chicago Area Waterway System. The purpose of this Study was to evaluate structural and nonstructural options and technologies near the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to prevent the upstream transfer of ANS while minimizing impacts to existing waterways uses and users. USACE analyzed and evaluated available controls to address ANS of concern and formulated alternatives specifically for the Brandon Road site. DATES: The Final GLMRIS-Brandon Road Report & EIS is available for review beginning on Friday, November 23, 2018, ending December 24, 2018. ADDRESSES: The Final GLMRIS-Brandon Road Report & EIS will be posted at *https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/GLMRIS-BR.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, ATTN: GLMRIS-Brandon Road EIS, Clock Tower Building, P.O. Box 2004, Rock Island, IL 61204-2004; or contact online at *https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/GLMRIS-BR.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USACE is issuing this notice pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4332 *et seq.* ) and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (43 CFR parts 1500 through 1508). This notice announces the availability of the final GLMRIS-Brandon Road EIS. The Final GLMRIS-Brandon Road Report & EIS, its appendices, and other supporting documents can be accessed at: *https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/GLMRIS-BR.* Background Information The Draft GLMRIS-Brandon Road EIS was released on August 18, 2017, and included a 112-day public comment period that ended on December 8, 2017. During that time, USACE held four meetings to solicit comments from the public. USACE analyzed the comments received from the public (Appendix K) and considered them in preparation of the Final GLMRIS-Brandon Road EIS. This EIS provided the necessary information for the public to fully evaluate a range of alternatives designed to meet the purpose and need of the Final GLMRIS-Brandon Road Report & EIS and to provide thoughtful and meaningful comment for the Agency's consideration. The Final GLMRIS-Brandon Road Report & EIS identifies six alternatives including no new action (continuing current efforts); the nonstructural alternative; and three technology alternatives using an electric barrier and/or acoustic fish deterrent and lock closure. The effectiveness of these alternatives was considered against the three different modes of ANS transport, swimming, floating, and hitchhiking. Selection of a Recommended Plan required careful evaluation of each alternative's
(1)reduction in the probability of establishment in the Great Lakes Basin,
(2)relative life safety risk,
(3)system performance robustness and
(4)costs, which include construction; mitigation; operation and maintenance, repair, replacement and rehabilitation; and navigation impacts. Evaluation also included careful consideration of cost effectiveness and incremental cost analyses, significance of the Great Lakes Basin's ecosystem, acceptability, completeness, efficiency, and effectiveness. Based on the results of the evaluation and comparison of the alternatives, the Recommended Plan is the Technology Alternative—Acoustic Fish Deterrent with Electric Barrier, which includes the following measures: nonstructural measures, acoustic fish deterrent, bubble curtain, engineered channel, electric barrier, flushing lock, and boat ramps. The Final GLMRIS-Brandon Road Report & EIS identifies potential significant adverse impacts that alternatives may have on existing uses and users of the waterways. Dated: November 19, 2018. Dennis W. Hamilton, Chief, Programs and Project Management Division. [FR Doc. 2018-25647 Filed 11-23-18; 8:45 am]