[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56681-56682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22286]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
for the Grays Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, Grays Harbor,
Washington
AGENCY: Department of Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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[[Page 56682]]
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps), Seattle District, as lead Federal agency, will prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) evaluating the Grays
Harbor Navigation Improvement Project. The purpose of this supplement
is to address proposed changes to the Grays Harbor and Chehalis River
Navigation Project developed since the Corps prepared the 1982 Grays
Harbor, Chehalis and Hoquiam Rivers, Washington Channel Improvements
for Navigation Interim Feasibility Report and Final Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) and its 1989 supplement. The SEIS updates the
original EIS and its supplement with more recent relevant environmental
information, and updates the description of effects that may
potentially occur from implementing the proposed action. The SEIS will
evaluate the practicality and potential environmental impacts of three
alternatives: two with varying channel depths and no action.
ADDRESSES: To be included on the mailing list for review of the SEIS,
all requests should be submitted to Mr. Kevin McKeag, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Seattle District, 4735 East Marginal Way South, Seattle,
Washington, 98134.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kevin McKeag, Environmental and
Cultural Resources Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at email:
[email protected], by regular mail (see ADDRESSES), or
telephone: 206-764-3576.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preparation of an SEIS will inform the
Corps' eventual decision on whether or not to implement the proposed
action. As part of the NEPA process, the Corps will gather and analyze
information to compare the potential environmental effects of possible
project alternatives and a ``no action'' alternative in the SEIS. The
SEIS will be prepared to assess the potential social, economic and
environmental impacts of the project, and will be sufficient in scope
to address Federal, State and local regulatory requirements and
pertinent environmental and socio-economic issues. The Federal SEIS
process begins with publication of this Notice of Intent. The SEIS will
be prepared in accordance with the Corps' procedures for implementing
NEPA (33 CFR Part 230) and consistent with the Corps' policy to
facilitate public understanding and review of agency proposals.
1. Proposed Action: The proposed action is to deepen the Federal
navigation deep-draft channel in Grays Harbor from its currently
maintained depth of minus 36 feet mean lower low water (MLLW) down to
its authorized depth of minus 38 feet MLLW, including placement of the
dredged material at existing authorized dredged material placement
sites (including appropriate upland placement as necessary for any
sediments not meeting unconfined aquatic placement criteria). Congress
initially authorized construction of the navigation channel in the
Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899. Dredging of the
navigation channel to a depth of minus 38 feet MLLW was subsequently
authorized in the form of the Navigation Improvement Project by
Congress in Section 202 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986
(Pub. L. 99-662) in November 1986.
2. Alternatives: The SEIS will evaluate the practicability and
environmental impacts of three alternatives, including the no action
alternative: (1) Deepen channel to minus 37 feet MLLW; (2) Deepen
channel to minus 38 feet MLLW; and (3) no action (continue to maintain
channel at existing depth of minus 36 feet MLLW). The draft SEIS will
identify the agency preferred action alternative, which will be
identified in consideration of overall environmental impacts and
contributions to cumulative impacts. The potential direct, indirect,
and cumulative impacts of the proposed action and action alternatives
on the following resource issues will be analyzed in the SEIS: Vessel
traffic and navigational safety; aquatic habitats; aquatic species,
including Endangered Species Act-listed species and Washington State
species of concern; Tribal treaty rights; wetland and riparian habitat;
wildlife; vehicle traffic; cultural, historic, and archeological
resources; air and water quality; noise; recreation; land use; and
aesthetics.
3. Public Involvement: Initial public participation included a
December 2012 public meeting held at the Port of Grays Harbor.
Additional public involvement efforts will continue throughout the
development of a Draft SEIS, and when complete, the Draft SEIS will be
distributed (either mailed or emailed) to pertinent Federal, State and
local agencies, Government officials, local libraries, Native American
Tribes, and environmental interest organizations, and known interested
citizens, for review and comment.
4. Scoping. Consistent with NEPA procedures, a public scoping
meeting will not be held in the development of this Supplemental EIS.
Comments received during the December 2012 public meeting will be used
to assist in development of the Draft SEIS.
5. Other Environmental Review and Coordination Requirements: The
Corps has and will continue to coordinate with several agencies and
entities throughout the NEPA process including: the Port of Grays
Harbor, the Quinault Indian Nation, the Chehalis Tribe, Northwest
Indian Fisheries Commission, Washington Department of Ecology,
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of
Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine
Fisheries Service. The draft SEIS will address the extent to which the
proposed project is in compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations, including NEPA, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered
Species Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Clean Air Act, the
National Historic Preservation Act, and Treaty Rights.
6. Availability of Draft SEIS. The draft SEIS is estimated to be
completed and available for public review in fall 2013.
Dated: September 3, 2013.
Bruce A. Estok,
Commanding Officer, COL, EN.
[FR Doc. 2013-22286 Filed 9-12-13; 8:45 am]
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