Notice of Availability - Proposed Implementation of the Pavaho Wetland Section 408 Project, Dallas, Texas

Published Jan. 28, 2013
Description. Interested parties are hereby notified that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, is currently seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding implementation of the Pavaho Wetland project in the City of Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 408 (Section 408). The City of Dallas is the proponent for this EA.

Statutory Authority. This notice is being issued to all interested parties in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Code of Federal Regulations (40 CPR parts 1500-1508), and Engineering Regulation 200-2-2. Under the terms of Section 408, any proposed modification to an existing USACE project requires a determination by the USACE that the proposed alteration, permanent occupation, or use of a federal project would not be injurious to the public interest and would not impair the usefulness of the existing project.

Background. In 2006, the City of Dallas was mandated through a written Consent Decree to implement construction of a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP). Following the City's regulatory infractions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required that the City of Dallas provide funding as part of a series of compliance requirements. A portion of that funding was directed to furthering the Pavaho Stormwater Wetland concept, which also became the City's mandated SEP. The objectives of the Pavaho Storm water Wetland SEP project include creation of habitat for wetland flora and fauna and water quality improvement of storm runoff reaching the Trinity River.

Proposed Action. The proposed Pavaho Stormwater Wetland Project will include construction of approximately 64 acres of wetlands consisting of four separate cells: a 8.8-acre pretreatment wetland cell within the sump located at the comer of Sylvan A venue and Canada Drive and three wetland cells located on the river side of the West Levee- the West Section is a 24.4-acre cell located west ofthe Sylvan Avenue Bridge, the Central Section is a 13.8-acre cell located east of the Sylvan A venue bridge and west of the existing Pavaho Sump discharge channel, and the East Section is a 17.4-acre cell located east of the existing Pavaho Sump discharge channel. The pretreatment wetland is intended to provide water quality improvement for storm flows collected in the sump prior to conveyance to the river by the Pavaho pumps. The primary purpose for the three wetland cells located on the river side ofthe West levee would be to create diverse, high quality wetland habitat for multiple migratory and resident wildlife and bird species and to a lesser degree provide water quality improvement for storm runoff from the adjacent floodplain area as well as river overflows.

Public Hearing. A public meeting has not been scheduled for this Proposed Action. Prior to the close of the comment period, any person may make a written request for a public meeting, setting forth the particular reasons for the request. The District Engineer will determine whether the issues raised are substantial and should be considered in his decision. If a public meeting is warranted, all known interested parties will be notified of the time, date, and location of such a meeting.

Public Review. Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as amended in 1975 (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Parts 1500 through 1508), the U.S. Department of the Army gives notice that it has prepared the required environmental documentation for the Pavaho Wetland in Dallas, Texas. This document is available for review on the Fort Worth District website at http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/Missions/WaterSustainment/DallasFloodway/PavahoWetlands.aspx.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) is also available for review at the following locations:
Dallas City Hall
Trinity River Corridor Project
Room 6B South
1500 Marilla Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 671-9500
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J. Erik Jonsson Central Libray
1515 Young Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
(Hard copy located on the 6th floor, Government Publications)
(214) 670-1489
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Dallas West Branch Library
2332 Singleton Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75212
(Hard copy located within the reference section)
(214) 670-6445
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Comment Period. The comment period for this action is 30 days from the date of this Public Notice. Please address any comments to Ms. Marcia Hackett, CESWF-PER-EE, Post Office Box 17300, Fort Worth, Texas 76102-0300, or by e-mail at Marcia.R.Hacktett@usace.army.mil. Hard or CD copies of the draft EA and FONSI may be requested in writing at the above address or by telephone at (817) 886-1373.