Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Installation of a Terminal Groin Structure at the Western End of South Beach, Bald Head Island, Adjacent to the Federal Wilmington Harbor Channel of the Cape Fear River (Brunswick County, NC), 44757-44758 [2014-18256]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 148 / Friday, August 1, 2014 / Notices
329–8158, or toll-free 1–866–329–8187,
or by mail: Mr. Shawn Boone, Project
Manager, Regulatory Division, 69–A
Hagood Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403.
For inquiries from the media, please
contact the Corps, Charleston District
Corporate Communications Officer
(CCO), Ms. Glenn Jeffries by telephone:
(843) 329–8123.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps
is evaluating a proposal from Stratford
Land, the City of Hardeeville and Jasper
County for a new development,
Riverport, and a new interchange on I–
95 (Exit 3) in accordance with Corps
regulations and the policies and
procedures that are established in the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). Based on the available
information, the Corps has determined
that the Riverport development and the
proposed new interchange on I–95 have
the potential to significantly affect the
quality of the human environment and
therefore warrant the preparation of an
EIS. Additional information about the
proposed project and the NEPA process
is available on the project Web site at:
www.RiverPort-Exit3EIS.com.
1. Description of Proposed Project.
The project proposed by Stratford Land
is to develop the approximately 5,000
acre tract in Hardeeville, SC as the
Riverport mixed-use residential,
commercial and business park/light
industrial site. Riverport will consist of
a 1,755-acre business park, 840-acre
commercial village, and 2,390-acre
mixed use (residential and commercial)
village. The Business Park is to be one
of the largest logistics and industrial
sites in the Southeast. It is intended to
handle some of the container traffic into
the Savannah port resulting from the
introduction of the post-Panamax Canal
ships. As a result of vehicular traffic
projected from this industrial park, the
City of Hardeeville and Jasper County
propose a new interchange at I–95 that
connects with the proposed Riverport
Parkway to accommodate the increased
traffic projected to occur. The Business
Park and commercial development will
provide a significant economic impact
to the area by providing thousands of
construction jobs during the building
phases and over 24,000 permanent jobs
by year 30 of the development.
2. Alternatives. A range of alternatives
to the proposed action will be
identified, and those found to be
reasonable alternatives will be fully
evaluated in the DEIS, including: the
no-action alternative, the applicant’s
proposed alternative, alternative site
locations, alternatives that may result in
avoidance and minimization of impacts,
and mitigation measures not in the
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22:09 Jul 31, 2014
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proposed action. However, this list is
not exclusive and additional
alternatives may be considered for
inclusion.
3. Scoping and Public Involvement
Process. A scoping meeting will be
conducted to gather information on the
scope of the project and alternatives to
be addressed in the DEIS. Additional
public and agency involvement will be
sought through the implementation of a
public involvement plan and through an
agency coordination team.
4. Significant Issues. Issues associated
with the proposed project to be given
detailed analysis in the DEIS are likely
to include, but are not necessarily
limited to, the potential impacts of the
proposed development on surface and
groundwater quality, aquatic habitat and
biota, wetlands and stream habitats,
federal and state listed species of
concern, indirect and cumulative
impacts, the Savannah River Wildlife
Refuge, threatened and endangered
species, environmental justice,
mitigation, emergency response and
contingency plans, noise, conservation,
economics, cultural resources,
aesthetics, general environmental
concerns, historic properties, fish and
wildlife values, flood hazards, land use,
recreation, water supply and
conservation, water quality, energy
needs, safety, the transportation
network, and in general, the needs and
welfare of the people.
5. Additional Review and
Consultation. Additional review and
consultation which will be incorporated
into the preparation of this DEIS will
include, but will not necessarily be
limited to, Section 401 of Clean Water
Act; Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)
consultation requirements of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act; the
National Environmental Policy Act; the
Endangered Species Act; and the
National Historic Preservation Act.
6. Availability of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement. The
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) is anticipated to be available late
in 2015. A Public Hearing will be
conducted following the release of the
DEIS.
John T. Litz,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston
District.
[FR Doc. 2014–18270 Filed 7–31–14; 8:45 am]
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44757
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Notice of Availability of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Installation of a Terminal Groin
Structure at the Western End of South
Beach, Bald Head Island, Adjacent to
the Federal Wilmington Harbor
Channel of the Cape Fear River
(Brunswick County, NC)
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE), Wilmington
District, Wilmington Regulatory Field
Office has received a request for
Department of the Army authorization,
pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers
and Harbor Act, from the Village of Bald
Head Island (VBHI) to develop and
implement a shoreline protection plan
that includes the installation of a
terminal groin structure on the east side
of the Wilmington Harbor Baldhead
Shoal Entrance Channel (a federallymaintained navigation channel of the
Cape Fear River) at the ‘‘Point’’ of Bald
Head Island. The structure will be
designed to function in concert with
Federal beach disposal operations
associated with the Wilmington Harbor
navigation project.
DATES: The Public commenting period
on the FEIS will end on September 1,
2014. Written comments must be
received no later than 5 p.m. at (see
ADDRESSES).
SUMMARY:
Copies of comments and
questions regarding the FEIS may be
submitted to: U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps), Wilmington District,
Regulatory Division. ATTN: File
Number SAW–2012–00040, 69
Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, NC
28403.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action
and FEIS can be directed to Mr. Ronnie
Smith, Wilmington Regulatory Field
Office, telephone: (910) 251–4829,
facsimile (910) 251–4025, or email at
ronnie.d.smith@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Project Description. The west end
of South Beach, Bald Head Island,
Brunswick County, North Carolina, has
experienced both chronic and shortterm shoreline erosion. This erosion has
resulted in direct impacts to nearby
beaches and dunes and could
potentially impact public infrastructure
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44758
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 148 / Friday, August 1, 2014 / Notices
and homes. This area has been subject
to past sand placement activities
sponsored by both the VBHI and the
Corps. The Corps has placed several
million cubic yards of suitable material
on this shoreline since 1991 as part of
a Federal navigation project. To address
its erosion issue, the VBHI desires to
implement a long-term beach and dune
stabilization strategy to include
installation of a single terminal groin at
the western end of South Beach. The
proposed terminal groin would be
expected to perform the following
functions: (1) Reduce inlet-directed
sand losses from beach fill projects; and
(2) stabilize shoreline alignment along
the westernmost segment of South
Beach in such a manner that alongshore
transport rates are reduced. The
terminal groin would serve as a
‘‘template’’ for fill material placed
eastward (of the proposed terminal
groin). The proposed groin has been
designed as a ‘‘leaky’’ structure (i.e.,
semi-permeable) so as to provide for
some level of sand transport to West
Beach (located northward and
downdrift of the proposed groin).
2. Issues. There are several potential
environmental and public interest
issues that are addressed in the FEIS.
Additional issues may be identified
during the public review process. Issues
initially identified as potentially
significant include:
a. Potential impacts to marine
biological resources (benthic organisms,
passageway for fish and other marine
life) and Essential Fish Habitat.
b. Potential impacts to threatened and
endangered marine mammals, reptiles,
birds, fish, and plants.
c. Potential for shoreline changes on
West Beach of Bald Head Island and
adjacent areas.
d. Potential impacts to Navigation,
commercial and recreational.
e. Potential impacts to the long-term
management of the oceanfront
shorelines.
f. Potential effects on regional sand
sources and sand management practices.
g. Potential effects of shoreline
protection.
h. Potential impacts on public health
and safety.
i. Potential impacts to recreational
and commercial fishing.
j. Potential impacts to cultural
resources.
k. Cumulative impacts of future
dredging and nourishment activities.
3. Alternatives. Several alternatives
are being considered for the proposed
project. These alternatives, including
the No Action alternative, were further
formulated and developed during the
scoping process and are considered in
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the FEIS. A summary of alternatives
under consideration are provided
below:
• Alternative #1: No-Action (includes
component of Status-Quo)
• Alternative #2: Retreat
• Alternative #3: Beach Nourishment/
Disposal with Existing Sand Tube
Groinfield to Remain in Place
• Alternative #4: Beach Nourishment/
Beach Disposal and Sand Tube
Groinfield Removal
• Alternative #5: Terminal Groin with
Beach Nourishment/Beach Disposal
(Sand Tube Groinfield Remaining)
• Alternative #6: Terminal Groin with
Beach Nourishment/Disposal
(Removal of Sand Tube Groinfield)
4. Scoping Process. Project Review
Team meetings were held to receive
comments and assess concerns
regarding the appropriate scope and
preparation of the DEIS. Federal, state,
and local agencies and other interested
organizations and persons participated
in these Project Review Team meetings.
The Corps has completed consultation
with the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service under the Endangered Species
Act and the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act and with the National
Marine Fisheries Service under the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and Endangered
Species Act. Also, the Corps has
initiated consultation with the National
Marine Fisheries Service under the
Endangered Species Act and the Fish
and Wildlife Coordination Act.
Additionally, the EIS assesses the
potential water quality impacts
pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean
Water Act, and is coordinated with the
North Carolina Division of Coastal
Management (DCM) to insure the
projects consistency with the Coastal
Zone Management Act. The COE has
coordinated closely with DCM in the
development of the EIS to ensure the
process complies with State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
requirements, as well as the NEPA
requirements. The Final EIS has been
designed to consolidate both NEPA and
SEPA processes to eliminate
duplications.
6. Availability of the FEIS. The FEIS
has been published and circulated. The
FEIS for the proposal can be found at
the following link, https://
www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/
RegulatoryPermitProgram/
PublicNotices.aspx, under the VBHI
Terminal Groin Project.
Dated: July 23, 2014.
Scott McLendon,
Chief, Regulatory Division.
[FR Doc. 2014–18256 Filed 7–31–14; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement
(DSEIS) for the Alaska Gasline
Development Corporation (AGDC)’s
Proposed Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline
(ASAP) Utility-Grade Natural Gas
Transportation Pipeline
AGENCY:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
DoD.
ACTION:
Notice of Intent.
The Alaska District, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
intends to prepare a DSEIS to identify
and analyze the potential impacts
associated with the construction of the
proposed ASAP utility grade natural gas
transportation pipeline. The Corps is the
lead federal agency and currently the
National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA), U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), and the State of Alaska
Department of Natural Resources State
Pipeline Coordinator’s Office (SPCO) are
participating as cooperating agencies in
the DSEIS development process. The
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (SEIS) will be used as a basis
for the Corps permit decision and to
ensure compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The
Corps will be evaluating a permit
application for work under Section 10 of
the Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 404
of the Clean Water Act, and Section 103
of the Marine Protection Research and
Sanctuaries Act of 1972. Because ASAP
would require decisions and actions by
other federal agencies (such as right-ofway grants and other permits), this
DSEIS will also fulfill the NEPA
requirements for those cooperating
federal agencies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action
and the DSEIS can be answered by: Ms.
Mary Romero, Regulatory Division,
telephone: (907) 753–2773, toll free in
AK: (800) 478–2712, fax: (907) 753–
5567, email: asapeiscomments@
usace.army.mil, or mail: U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, CEPOA–RD, Post
Office Box 6898, JBER, Alaska 99506–
0898. Additional information may be
obtained at www.asapeis.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. The permit applicant, the AGDC,
has proposed, ‘‘The purpose of the
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44757-44758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18256]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement for the Installation of a Terminal Groin Structure at the
Western End of South Beach, Bald Head Island, Adjacent to the Federal
Wilmington Harbor Channel of the Cape Fear River (Brunswick County, NC)
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District,
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office has received a request for
Department of the Army authorization, pursuant to Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbor Act, from the
Village of Bald Head Island (VBHI) to develop and implement a shoreline
protection plan that includes the installation of a terminal groin
structure on the east side of the Wilmington Harbor Baldhead Shoal
Entrance Channel (a federally-maintained navigation channel of the Cape
Fear River) at the ``Point'' of Bald Head Island. The structure will be
designed to function in concert with Federal beach disposal operations
associated with the Wilmington Harbor navigation project.
DATES: The Public commenting period on the FEIS will end on September
1, 2014. Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. at (see
ADDRESSES).
ADDRESSES: Copies of comments and questions regarding the FEIS may be
submitted to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Wilmington
District, Regulatory Division. ATTN: File Number SAW-2012-00040, 69
Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and FEIS can be directed to Mr. Ronnie Smith, Wilmington Regulatory
Field Office, telephone: (910) 251-4829, facsimile (910) 251-4025, or
email at ronnie.d.smith@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Project Description. The west end of South Beach, Bald Head
Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina, has experienced both chronic
and short-term shoreline erosion. This erosion has resulted in direct
impacts to nearby beaches and dunes and could potentially impact public
infrastructure
[[Page 44758]]
and homes. This area has been subject to past sand placement activities
sponsored by both the VBHI and the Corps. The Corps has placed several
million cubic yards of suitable material on this shoreline since 1991
as part of a Federal navigation project. To address its erosion issue,
the VBHI desires to implement a long-term beach and dune stabilization
strategy to include installation of a single terminal groin at the
western end of South Beach. The proposed terminal groin would be
expected to perform the following functions: (1) Reduce inlet-directed
sand losses from beach fill projects; and (2) stabilize shoreline
alignment along the westernmost segment of South Beach in such a manner
that alongshore transport rates are reduced. The terminal groin would
serve as a ``template'' for fill material placed eastward (of the
proposed terminal groin). The proposed groin has been designed as a
``leaky'' structure (i.e., semi-permeable) so as to provide for some
level of sand transport to West Beach (located northward and downdrift
of the proposed groin).
2. Issues. There are several potential environmental and public
interest issues that are addressed in the FEIS. Additional issues may
be identified during the public review process. Issues initially
identified as potentially significant include:
a. Potential impacts to marine biological resources (benthic
organisms, passageway for fish and other marine life) and Essential
Fish Habitat.
b. Potential impacts to threatened and endangered marine mammals,
reptiles, birds, fish, and plants.
c. Potential for shoreline changes on West Beach of Bald Head
Island and adjacent areas.
d. Potential impacts to Navigation, commercial and recreational.
e. Potential impacts to the long-term management of the oceanfront
shorelines.
f. Potential effects on regional sand sources and sand management
practices.
g. Potential effects of shoreline protection.
h. Potential impacts on public health and safety.
i. Potential impacts to recreational and commercial fishing.
j. Potential impacts to cultural resources.
k. Cumulative impacts of future dredging and nourishment
activities.
3. Alternatives. Several alternatives are being considered for the
proposed project. These alternatives, including the No Action
alternative, were further formulated and developed during the scoping
process and are considered in the FEIS. A summary of alternatives under
consideration are provided below:
Alternative 1: No-Action (includes component of
Status-Quo)
Alternative 2: Retreat
Alternative 3: Beach Nourishment/Disposal with
Existing Sand Tube Groinfield to Remain in Place
Alternative 4: Beach Nourishment/Beach Disposal and
Sand Tube Groinfield Removal
Alternative 5: Terminal Groin with Beach Nourishment/
Beach Disposal (Sand Tube Groinfield Remaining)
Alternative 6: Terminal Groin with Beach Nourishment/
Disposal (Removal of Sand Tube Groinfield)
4. Scoping Process. Project Review Team meetings were held to
receive comments and assess concerns regarding the appropriate scope
and preparation of the DEIS. Federal, state, and local agencies and
other interested organizations and persons participated in these
Project Review Team meetings.
The Corps has completed consultation with the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act and the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act and with the National Marine Fisheries
Service under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and Endangered Species Act.
Also, the Corps has initiated consultation with the National Marine
Fisheries Service under the Endangered Species Act and the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act. Additionally, the EIS assesses the potential
water quality impacts pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act,
and is coordinated with the North Carolina Division of Coastal
Management (DCM) to insure the projects consistency with the Coastal
Zone Management Act. The COE has coordinated closely with DCM in the
development of the EIS to ensure the process complies with State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements, as well as the NEPA
requirements. The Final EIS has been designed to consolidate both NEPA
and SEPA processes to eliminate duplications.
6. Availability of the FEIS. The FEIS has been published and
circulated. The FEIS for the proposal can be found at the following
link, https://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryPermitProgram/PublicNotices.aspx, under the VBHI Terminal Groin Project.
Dated: July 23, 2014.
Scott McLendon,
Chief, Regulatory Division.
[FR Doc. 2014-18256 Filed 7-31-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
