[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79035-79036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31807]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Feasibility Study and Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for Navigational Improvements to Manatee Harbor
in Manatee County, FL
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of the feasibility study is to improve navigation
in Manatee Harbor.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division,
Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Aubree Hershorin at (904) 232-2136
or email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Description of the Proposed Action. Proposed navigational
improvements to Manatee Harbor include deepening the harbor up to minus
43 feet and widening the harbor.
2. Reasonable Alternatives. Various increments of widening and
deepening, as well as other alternatives will be evaluated. The dredged
material is expected to be suitable for placement in the Ocean Dredged
Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) located approximately 30 miles from the
mouth of Tampa Bay. Some material may be suitable for placement in
dredged holes and for other purposes, and the study may evaluate the
expansion of existing dredged material management areas. Other
alternatives as identified during the scoping and plan formulation
process will be considered.
3. Scoping Process:
a. Public and Agency Involvement. A scoping letter is being sent to
agencies, commercial interests, and the public.
b. Issues to be Analyzed in Depth in the DEIS. Important issues
expected include impacts to protected species, seagrass, hardgrounds,
socio-economic factors, and any other factors that might be determined
during the scoping and plan formulation process.
c. Possible Assignments for Input into the EIS among Lead and
Potential Cooperating Agencies.
--U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Input concerning listed species,
critical habitat, and other fish and wildlife resources.
--National Marine Fisheries Service: Input concerning listed species,
[[Page 79036]]
critical habitat, and essential fish habitat.
--U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Input concerning disposal in
the Tampa ODMDS.
--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the Lead agency and, together
with the non-federal sponsor (Port Manatee), will assume responsibility
for all other aspects of the EIS.
d. Other Environmental Review and Consultation Requirements. The
proposed action is subject to the requirements of the Endangered
Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Essential Fish Habitat
requirements, National Historic Preservation Act, numerous other laws
and executive orders, and any other requirements that might be
identified during the scoping and plan formulation process.
4. Scoping Meeting. A public scoping meeting will be held on
January 20, 2016, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Port Manatee Intermodal
Center, 1905 Intermodal Circle, Palmetto, FL 34221.
5. Date the DEIS Will Be Made Available to the Public. Dependent on
the issues, alternatives, investigations, and other requirements
identified during the scoping and plan formulation process; the Draft
EIS should be available by November 2017.
Dated: December 10, 2015.
Eric P. Summa,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 2015-31807 Filed 12-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P