[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 57 (Friday, March 22, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 11814-11815] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-6930] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (DEIS/R) for the Port of Hueneme Feasibility Study, Port Hueneme, California AGENCY: Los Angeles District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: To date, deep draft vessels entering the Port of Hueneme Entrance Channel, have to limit the amount of cargo product that can be brought into the harbor for berthing due to existing shallow bottom depths. In order to increase the cargo efficiency of product delivery, a plan has been developed to deepen the existing channel from the -35 foot contour depth to a depth of -40 to -45 feet mean lower low water. Approximately 1 million cubic yards of material would be dredged for disposal. Disposal options include offshore, near/onshore and upland sites. Potential disposal sites have not been identified at this time. Project figures are available by contacting the below individual and address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the proposed action and DEIS/R can be answered by Mr. Russell L. Kaiser, Environmental Planning Section, at (213) 894-0247, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 2711, Los Angeles, California, 90053. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Proposed Action: The proposed action would reduce some of the current limit and cargo product restrictions that can be brought into the harbor for berthing due to existing shallow depths. 2. Alternatives: Although no alternatives have been developed to date, as part of the process, a full array of alternatives would be developed for further analyses. The proposed plan, viable project alternatives, and the ``no action'' plan will be carried forward for [[Page 11815]] detailed analysis in the National Environmental Policy Act/California Environmental Policy Act document. 3. Scoping Process: Potential impacts associated with the proposed action and alternatives will be fully evaluated. Resource categories that will be analyzed include: geology, oceanography/water quality, air and noise quality, marine resources, cultural resources, socioeconomics, land/water use, recreation, ground and vessel traffic and safety, energy, and aesthetics. The Los Angeles District will be conducting a public scoping meeting with the Port of Hueneme on 28 March 1996, at 7:00 pm, in the Board Room of the Oxnard Harbor District, 105 East Hueneme Road, Port Hueneme, California. 4. Significant Issues: The only possible significant issue at this time may be related to disposal of dredged material if testing shows sediments are contaminated and require special handling. 5. Other Environmental Review and Consultation: Environmental review and consultation as required by Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, as amended, (33 U.S.C. 1341 and 1344); the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.); the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.); the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); Executive Order 11990, ``Protection of Wetlands,'' (24 May 1977); and other applicable statutes or regulations will be conducted concurrently with the EIR/EIS review process. 6. Schedule: We estimate the draft EIR/EIS will be made available to the public in Spring of 1997. Gregory D. Showalter, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 96-6930 Filed 3-21-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-KF-M