[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 196 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52698-52699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26800]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers


Public Notice of Availability of the Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Limited Reevaluation Study for 
Deepening of the Arthur Kill-Howland Hook Marine Terminal Navigation 
Channels

AGENCY: Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: A Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) 
for the Arthur Kill-Howland Hook Marine Terminal Navigation Channel 
Deepening Project was prepared and the project was authorized for 
construction in section 202(b) of the WRDA 1986, Pub. L. 99-662. The 
limited reevaluation effort recommends deepening and realigning the 
previously authorized 35 ft below mlw project in the Arthur Kill 
Channel, to the 41/40-ft plan. This plan entails the realignment and 
deepening to a depth of 41 ft below mlw from its confluence with the 
Newark Bay and Kill Van Kull Channels to the Howland Hook Marine 
Terminal; realigning and deepening to a depth of 40 ft mlw from the 
Howland Hook Marine Terminal to the Tosco Oil and GATX facilities.
    The 41/40-ft plan would meet the current navigational needs of the 
project area by improving navigational efficiency and safety. Proposed 
improvements would allow deep draft vessels (current vessel designs) to 
safely navigate the channel, while remaining fully loaded, thus 
avoiding the need for lightering or steaming under partial loads.
    The proposed project plans were analyzed in the 1986 Feasibility 
Report, which included the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) 
(USACE 1986 a,b). These documents are available in the District office 
for review. This document is a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (DSEIS) for the deepening and realignment of the Arthur Kill 
Channel--Howland Hook Marine Terminal, and part of the Limited 
Reevaluation Report (LRR). The DSEIS examines improvements to 
navigation and the shipment of cargo to petroleum refineries/storage 
facilities and marine container terminals located along the project 
navigation channel, and addresses the economic, social, and 
environmental issues related to the proposed project. The purpose of 
this DSEIS is to update the 1986 FEIS and evaluate the changes in 
conditions in the project area to determine if there are significant 
new issues or information relevant to environmental concerns and 
bearing on the proposed action or its impacts.
    Potential impacts, including indirect and cumulative impacts, were 
evaluated for the proposed action and the other action alternatives. 
The analysis indicates that short-term adverse environmental impacts, 
such as benthic habitat disruption, would be balanced by beneficial 
impacts, such as revitalization of the maritime industry and permanent 
removal of contaminated material from the aquatic ecosystem.
    The DSEIS has been prepared under the direction of the USACE, as 
Lead Agency in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969 and is submitted in compliance with NEPA and USACE 
regulations. The USACE is lead Federal agency responsible for 
preparation of the DSEIS because the project involves improvements and/
or modifications to Federal navigation channels. Comments will be 
accepted for forty-five (45) days after publishing of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ATTN: Ms. Jenine Gallo-EIS Coordinator, CENAN-PL-EA, Corps of 
Engineers, New York District, 26 Federal Plaza, NY, NY 10278-0090, Tel. 
212-264-4549.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Project Site Description

    The Arthur Kill is an estuarine tidal strait that connects Raritan 
Bay to the south with Newark Bay to the north. The Arthur Kill 
separates Richmond County, Staten Island, New York from Union County 
and Middlesex County, New Jersey. The Arthur Kill is approximately 13 
miles long and varies in width from approximately 800 to 2800 ft. The 
total surface water area is approximately 4.4 square miles.
    The system receives freshwater flow from the Hackensack and Passaic 
rivers, which discharge into Newark Bay, and the Elizabeth and Rahway 
rivers and numerous smaller streams and tributaries, which drain 
adjacent upland areas. Tributaries located within the study area 
include Old Place Creek and Bridge Creek in Staten Island, and Morses 
Creek and the Elizabeth River in New Jersey.

[[Page 52699]]

    The project area extends from the confluence of the Kill Van Kull, 
Arthur Kill, and Lower Newark Bay, west and south toward Piles Creek. 
This includes the Elizabethport Reach, Gulfport Reach, and the North of 
Shooters Island Reach.
    The project area shoreline (and vicinity) has undergone extensive 
industrial and residential development. The New Jersey shoreline has 
been almost completely developed with riprap and ship-berthing areas. 
The Staten Island shoreline has also been developed, although to a much 
lesser extent. Industrial development is heaviest along the North of 
Shooters Island and Elizabethport reaches.
    The waterways are intensively used navigation channels, and with 
the recent dredging and reoccupation of the Howland Hook Marine 
Terminal (located within the project area), previously one of New York 
Harbor's most active marine terminals, activity will increase above 
present levels. Although much of the project area shoreline has been 
developed and the Arthur Kill is heavily used for commercial 
navigation, the project area still contains a variety of biological and 
natural resources. These resources include migratory and resident fish 
and shellfish populations as well as the heron rookeries. While fish 
and wildlife resources use the area year round, recreational 
opportunities are generally limited.
    A deepened and realigned channel in the Arthur Kill will permit 
existing facilities to efficiently accommodate the larger ocean-going 
vessels calling on the Port.
Simeon Hook,
Acting Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 97-26800 Filed 10-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-06-M