[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57979-57980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23994]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a
Permit Application for Widening of Bayou Casotte and Lower Sound
Channels of the Pascagoula Harbor Channel, in the Port of Pascagoula,
Jackson County, Mississippi
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Mobile District
Regulatory Division announces its intent to prepare an EIS to assess
the potential environmental impacts associated with widening the
existing Pascagoula Lower Sound/Bayou Casotte Federal Channel segment
of Pascagoula Harbor (the Project). The proposed Project is a 100-foot-
widening of the Lower Sound and Bayou Casotte Legs of the Pascagoula
Harbor Channel, as well as limited widening of the northern portion of
the Horn Island Pass Channel to facilitate the transition between the
two channel segments. The Corps is considering the Jackson County Port
Authority/Port of Pascagoula (Port) application for a Department of the
Army permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, and Section 103 of the Marine
Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. A joint public notice for
the Section 10 permit (SAM-2011-00389-PAH) was issued by the Corps on
April 15, 2011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and Draft EIS can be answered by Mr. Philip A. Hegji, Corps Project
Manager, at (251) 690-3222. Comments shall be addressed to: U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, Regulatory Division, ATTN: File
Number SAM-2011-00389-PAH, at P.O. Box 2288, Mobile, Alabama 36628-
0001, or street address, 109 St. Joseph Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background. The EIS will assess the impacts associated with
dredging approximately 38,137 feet (7.22 miles) of the existing
Pascagoula Lower Sound/Bayou Casotte Federal Channel segment to widen
the channel 100 feet parallel to the existing channel centerline, to
the existing depth of -42 feet mean lower low water, as well as the
beneficial use and placement of the dredged material. The proposed
project would be developed over approximately the next 2 to 3 years.
The EIS discussed in this notice would support the regulatory
process for this specific permit application and Project. The Corps
Planning Division is also preparing a separate EIS and Feasibility
Study under the Corps Planning Process to evaluate whether there is a
Federal interest in modifying the existing federally authorized
navigation channel (Federal Navigation Channel) leading to Bayou
Casotte (i.e., Pascagoula channel widening from the Horn Island Pass to
the entrance of the Bayou Casotte Harbor) and maintenance of the
channel.
The primary Federal involvement in this EIS for the Regulatory
Division is an
[[Page 57980]]
application for a permit to dredge or excavate adjacent to a Federal
Navigation Channel in or affecting navigable waters of the United
States, and potential impacts on the human environment from such
activities, as well as the disposal of material in the littoral
disposal area, which could be suitable for beneficial use. Also
included in the evaluation is the placement of dredged material within
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Pascagoula
Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) and the designated
Littoral Zone Placement Area located east and south of the barrier
island. It is anticipated that the excavated area would become part of
the Federal Navigation Channel in the future, if the Corps adopts
maintenance of the widened area, pending approval of the Corps Planning
documents described above. No wetland impacts are known to exist at the
proposed dredge disposal site. In accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Corps is requiring the preparation
of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prior to rendering a final
decision on the Port's permit application, based on potentially
significant impacts to water quality, cultural resources, endangered or
threatened species, or sediment transport. The Corps may ultimately
make a determination to approve the permit, approve the permit with
conditions, or deny the permit for the above project.
This effort will also support non-federal construction of the
project and, in concert with the parallel Planning Division EIS, the
potential federal maintenance under the authority of Section 204(b) of
the Water Resources Development Act of 1986.
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as
amended), the Corps will serve as Lead Agency for the Preparation of an
EIS. The Draft EIS is intended to be sufficient in scope to address
both the Federal and the state and local requirements and environmental
issues concerning the proposed activities and permit approvals. The
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has expressed interest in
acting as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS.
2. Project Purpose and Need. The overall project purpose is to
widen the existing Federal Navigation Channel, including excavation, as
needed, to reconfigure the site to alleviate the current transit
restrictions and increase travel efficiencies for vessel transit,
improve safety conditions for vessel operations, improve conditions for
port operations, and improve habitat conditions through the beneficial
use of dredged material.
3. Issues. There are several potential environmental issues that
will be addressed in the EIS. Additional issues may be identified
during the scoping process. Issues initially identified as potentially
significant include:
a. Impacts to traffic, including marine navigation and ground
transportation;
b. Potential impacts to endangered and threatened species;
c. Air quality;
d. Water quality;
e. Socioeconomic effects;
f. Cumulative impacts; and
g. Placement of dredged materials.
4. Alternatives. Alternatives initially being considered for the
proposed improvement project include the following:
a. No Project/No Action. .This alternative would not implement any
of the elements presented in the project description.
b. Widening 100 feet on the West Side. This alternative is the
proposed Project to widen the Federal Channel segment approximately 100
feet parallel to the existing channel centerline, to the existing depth
of -42 feet mean lower low water. The width may be increased as
necessary to allow adequate transit for navigation in transition zones.
The improved channel would be 7.22 miles long and result in excavation
of approximately 3.4 to 3.8 million cubic yards of dredged material.
c. Widening of 50 feet on Either Side of the Channel Centerline.
This alternative includes a proposal to widen the Federal Channel
segment, approximately 50 feet on either side of the existing channel
centerline, to the existing depth of -42 feet mean lower low water. The
width may be increased as necessary to allow adequate transition for
navigation. The improved channel would be similar in length and dredged
material quantities to the proposed Project (widening 100 feet on the
West Side).
5. Scoping Process. As part of the Corps Planning Division EIS, a
public scoping meeting was conducted for the proposed Bayou Casotte and
Lower Sound Channels Widening of the Pascagoula Harbor Channel. The
meeting was held to receive public comments and assess public concerns
regarding the appropriate scope and preparation of the Draft EIS.
Participation in the public meeting by Federal, State, and local
agencies and other interested organizations and persons was encouraged.
This meeting was conducted in English, and was held on Thursday,
February 25, 2010 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., located at the
Pascagoula Public Library, 3214 Pascagoula Street, Pascagoula, MS
39567.
A comment period was held for the Regulatory Division on the permit
application, which was noticed April 15, 2011. The comment period was
held from April 15, 2011 to May 16, 2011.
The Corps will be accepting written comments on this Notice of
Intent to prepare an EIS, and they will be taken into consideration
during development of the document. We encourage any additional
comments from interested public, agencies, and local officials. Written
and e-mailed comments to the Corps will be received until October 20,
2011. Written comments should be sent to the address below:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, Regulatory Division,
c/o Philip A. Hegji, 109 St. Joseph Street, Mobile, Alabama 36628-0001,
e-mail: [email protected].
6. Availability of the Draft EIS. The Corps expects the Draft EIS
to be made available to the public in late spring 2012. A public
hearing will be held during the public comment period for the Draft
EIS.
Dated: September 9, 2011.
Craig J. Litteken,
Chief, Regulatory Division.
[FR Doc. 2011-23994 Filed 9-16-11; 8:45 am]
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