[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 222 (Friday, November 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68748-68749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27752]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and
Feasibility Report for the Cano Martin Pena Ecosystem Restoration, San
Juan, PR
AGENCY: Department of the Army, 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
(Corps) intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) and Feasibility Report (FR) for the ecosystem restoration of the
Cano Martin Pena (CMP) within the San Juan Bay National Estuary (SJBE),
San Juan, Puerto Rico. The CMP Ecosystem Restoration Project consists
of (a) dredging approximately 825,200 cubic yards of sediments and
debris in 2.2 miles of the eastern segment of the CMP, from the San
Jose Lagoon westbound to the Enrique Marti Coll Linal Park pedestrian
bridge; and, (b) installing sheet piles along north and south of the
CMP. Additional features include, among others, a mangrove restoration
project along the CMP, formal public spaces for recreation and
interaction between the communities, visitors and the CMP identified as
water plazas, and a mangrove restoration project at the Suarez Canal.
The project is a cooperative effort between the Corps and the non-
Federal sponsor Corporacion del Proyecto ENLACE del Cano Martin Pena
(ENLACE).
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District,
Planning Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville,
FL 32232-0019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wilberto Cubero by email at
[email protected] or by telephone at (904) 232-2050.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These DEIS and FR will be prepared under the
provisions of the Memorandum for Commander, South Atlantic Division
(CESAD-PM) Implementation Guidance for Section 5127 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA 2007)--Cano Martin Pena, San
Juan, Puerto Rico dated October 27, 2008. A Reconnaissance Report
completed in June 2004 by the Corps, concluded that there is
justification to continue into more detailed investigation and that
there was strong Federal interest in proceeding to the feasibility
phase.
[[Page 68749]]
Background: The CMP is a tidal channel 3.75 miles long in
metropolitan San Juan, Puerto Rico and one of eight interconnected
bodies of water within the SJBE, the only tropical estuary in the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Estuary Program (NEP).
The SJBE interior coastal lagoons and tidal channels are connected to
the Atlantic Ocean at both ends. Extending from east to west through
eight densely populated impoverished communities in San Juan, the CMP
connects the San Juan Bay with the San Jose and Los Corozos Lagoons,
which are further connected by the Suarez Canal to La Torrecilla Lagoon
and the Atlantic Ocean. The drainage area of the CMP comprises about
2,500 acres. Historically, the CMP had an average width of
approximately 200 feet and a depth between 6 to 8 feet and provided
tidal exchange between San Juan Bay and San Jose Lagoon. The CMP's
ability to convey flows has been almost completely blocked as a result
of siltation, accumulation of household and construction debris, and
encroachment of housing and other structures, thus affecting the
habitat functional value and water quality in both the CMP and San Jose
Lagoon. Water quality has been affected by the lack of sewer systems
and proper trash collection in neighboring areas. The study area is the
SJBE and the detailed project area is the eastern half of the CMP from
the Enrique Marti Coll pedestrian bridge eastward, the San Jose and Los
Corozos Lagoons, and the western half of the Suarez Canal.
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to restore the hydraulic
connection and tidal exchange between the San Jose Lagoon and the San
Juan Bay, and thus, in the SJBE. The dredging of 2.2 miles of the CMP
will restore and improve habitat functional value and water quality in
both the CMP and San Jose Lagoon, and significantly enhance the fish
and wildlife habitats and water quality of the entire SJBE, thus
achieving ecological uplift. The tidal restoration will achieve viable,
healthy, diverse, and sustainable conditions that are necessary to
support life. The project will also improve the quality of life of
approximately 26,000 residents along the CMP, addressing health and
safety concerns. As ancillary benefits, the project will reduce the
risk of flooding, and promote recreation and tourism, with minimal
temporary negative impact on the ecosystem and the adjacent
communities. It will create new economic development opportunities for
the San Juan Metropolitan Area and Puerto Rico, while contributing to
the protection of crucial port and airport facilities. The Project
responds to one of the most significant ecosystem restoration and
environmental justice efforts in Puerto Rico.
Alternatives: The restoration of the CMP will occur within the
Public Domain lands associated with the CMP Maritime Terrestrial Zone,
as per Commonwealth Law 489 of September 24, 2004. The alternative
interventions within the restoration area include no action,
rectangular section 100 feet wide x 10 feet deep channel width with
earth bottom and sheet piles; hybrid section 100 feet x 10 feet channel
width with earth bottom and sheet piles in some areas and slopes in
others; rectangular section 75 feet wide x 10 feet deep channel with
articulated cement bottom and sheet piles; and hybrid section 75 feet
wide x 10 feet deep canal with articulated cement bottom and sheet
piles in some areas and slopes in others.
All the alternatives may restore open water resources and improve
the wetland and benthic habitat functional value. The Corps will
consider other project measures such as in-bay sediment disposal and
the relocation of infrastructure.
Issues: The DEIS will consider impacts on benthic communities,
protected species, public health and safety, water quality, aesthetics
and recreation, fish and wildlife resources, cultural resources,
conservation resources, environmental justice, and other impacts
identified through scoping, public involvement and interagency
coordination.
Scoping: Scoping has been conducted by ENLACE, the non-Federal
sponsor and leading local expert, over the past 10 years. ENLACE
conducted a scoping meeting and interagency review in 2003, and created
varied mechanisms to ensure continued participation of all concerned
parties. The scoping process has involved federal, state, and municipal
agencies, residents along the CMP, as well as other interested persons
and organizations.
Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected
federal, state and local agencies, and other interested private
organizations and individuals. There will be a public meeting on the
DEIS following its preparation. The exact location, date, and time of
the public meeting will be announced in a public notice and local
newspapers.
Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) [under Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act] and with the
National Marine Fisheries Service [under Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (on Essential Fish Habitat)] and
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The proposed action is also
being coordinated with the Puerto Rico State Historic Preservation
Office and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Other Environmental Review and Consultation: The proposed action
would involve evaluation for compliance with guidelines pursuant to
Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act, water quality certification
(application to the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board) pursuant
to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, certification of state lands,
easements, and rights-of-way, and determination of Coastal Zone
Management Act Consistency.
Agency Role: As the cooperating agency, non-Federal sponsor and
leading local expert, ENLACE will provide information and assistance on
the resources to be impacted and construction mitigation measures and
alternatives. Additionally, other agencies with either regulatory
authority or special expertise have been incorporated and are
participating in an interagency Technical Dredge Committee coordinated
by ENLACE. These agencies may be called upon in preparation of the
DEIS.
DEIS Preparation: It is anticipated that the DEIS will be available
for public review in the 3rd quarter of 2013.
Dated: November 2, 2012.
Eric P. Summa,
Chief, Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 2012-27752 Filed 11-15-12; 8:45 am]
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