Comments Period: July 11, 2017 – August 10, 2017
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) is soliciting comments on the seven proposals requesting funding from the Sacramento District California In-Lieu Fee Program (ILF Program). The sponsor for this ILF Program is the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). This ILF Program Area spans 37 counties and approximately 65,000 square miles. The NFWF ILF Program was established in October 2014 and was approved by the Corps, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the California State Water Resources Control Board, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (each an “Agency” and collectively the “Agencies”). The proposed projects were submitted in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by NFWF in February 2017.
The RFP includes the criteria used to evaluate projects, the information required for a proposal, and other information. The RFP and additional information can be found at the NFWF ILF Program website: http://www.nfwf.org/ilf/Pages/February2017_RFP.aspx.
This notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed activities and to solicit comments. This notice may also be viewed at the Corps’ website: www.spk.usace.army.mil/Media/RegulatoryPublicNotices.aspx. Copies of the proposals are available online at the following location https://ribits.usace.army.mil/ribits_apex/f?p=107:378:3965105329791::NO::P378_PROGRAM_ID:2661.
The decision whether to approve funding for projects will be based on an evaluation of each proposed activity considering and how and where it will compensate for aquatic resources lost through authorizations issued under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. The benefit which may reasonably accrue from each proposal must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments and/or its appropriateness, considering the ecological needs of the watershed in which it’s located.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: The Interagency Review Team responsible for the review and approval of the ILF include representatives from the Corps, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the California State Water Resources Control Board, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Any of the projects which involve the discharge of fill into waters of the U.S. or that require state or local permits or authorizations will be sought individually and are not described in this notice.
HISTORIC PROPERTIES: The Corps will initiate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as appropriate.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: The Corps will initiate consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate.
ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: The Corps will initiate consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as appropriate.
The above determinations are based on information provided by the applicant and our preliminary review.
EVALUATION FACTORS: The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, Federal, state, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity pursuant to 33 C.F.R. 332.8(d)(4). Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS: Written comments, referencing Public Notice SPK-2012-00286 must be submitted to the office listed below on or before August 10, 2017.
Krystel Bell, Mitigation Banking Specialist
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Email: Krystel.L.Bell@usace.army.mil
Please note that all comment letters received are subject to release to the public through the Freedom of Information Act. If you have questions or need additional information please contact the applicant or the Corps' project manager Ms. Krystel Bell, (916) 557-7745, Krystel.L.Bell@usace.army.mil.
Attachments: 7 Drawings and Summary Table