[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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