Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)-Louisiana, Caminada Headland and Shell Island Restoration Feasibility Study, 28921-28923 [05-9997]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 96 / Thursday, May 19, 2005 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[OMB Control No. 9000–0061]
Federal Acquisition Regulation;
Information Collection; Transportation
Requirements
Department of Defense (DOD),
General Services Administration (GSA),
and National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Notice of request for public
comments regarding an extension to an
existing OMB clearance.
AGENCIES:
SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Secretariat will be submitting to the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) a request to review and approve
an extension of a currently approved
information collection requirement
concerning transportation requirements.
The clearance currently expires on
October 31, 2005.
Public comments are particularly
invited on: Whether this collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of functions of the FAR,
and whether it will have practical
utility; whether our estimate of the
public burden of this collection of
information is accurate, and based on
valid assumptions and methodology;
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and ways in which we can
minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to
respond, through the use of appropriate
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
DATES: Submit comments on or before
July 18, 2005
ADDRESSES: Submit comments regarding
this burden estimate or any other aspect
of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this
burden to the General Services
Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR),
1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035,
Washington, DC 20405.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeritta Parnell, Contract Policy Division,
GSA (202) 501–4082.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Purpose
FAR Part 47 and related clauses
contain policies and procedures for
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applying transportation and traffic
management considerations in the
acquisition of supplies and acquiring
transportation or transportation-related
services. Generally, contracts involving
transportation require information
regarding the nature of the supplies,
method of shipment, place and time of
shipment, applicable charges, marking
of shipments, shipping documents and
other related items. This information is
required to ensure proper and timely
shipment of Government supplies.
B. Annual Reporting Burden
Respondents: 65,000.
Responses Per Respondent: 21.32.
Annual Responses: 1,385,800.
Hours Per Response: .048.
Total Burden Hours: 66,518.
OBTAINING COPIES OF
PROPOSALS: Requesters may obtain a
copy of the information collection
documents from the General Services
Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR),
Room 4035, 1800 F Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20405, telephone (202)
501–4755. Please cite OMB Control No.
9000–0061, Transportation
Requirements, in all correspondence.
Dated: May 16, 2005.
Julia B. Wise,
Director, Contract Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 05–10019 Filed 5–18–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820–EP–S
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
National Security Education Board
Meeting
National Defense University.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Public Law 92–
463, notice is hereby given of a
forthcoming meeting of the National
Security Education Board. The purpose
of the meeting is to review and make
recommendations to the Secretary
concerning requirements established by
the David L. Boren National Security
Education Act, Title VIII of Public Law
102–183, as amended.
DATES: June 14, 2005.
ADDRESSES: The Academy for
Educational Development (AED), 1825
Connecticut Avenue, NW., 8th Floor
Conference Room, Washington, DC
20009–1202.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Edmond J. Collier, Deputy Director,
National Security Education Program,
1101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1210,
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209–2248; (703)
PO 00000
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28921
696–1991. Electronic mail address:
colliere@ndu.edu.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board
meeting is open to the public.
Dated: May 13, 2005.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 05–9954 Filed 5–18–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)—
Louisiana, Caminada Headland and
Shell Island Restoration Feasibility
Study
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice of intent (NOI) for
the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)—
Louisiana, Caminada Headland and
Shell Island Restoration Feasibility
Study (LCA Caminada-Shell Island
Study) supersedes the notices of intent
for the Barrier Shoreline Restoration in
Lafourche, Jefferson, and Plaquemines
Parishes, Louisiana, a Component of the
Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana—
Ecosystem Restoration, Barrier Island
Restoration, Marsh Creation, and River
Diversion, Barataria Basin Feasibility
Study (Barrier Shoreline Restoration
Study); and the Wetland Restoration
and/or Creation in the Barataria Basin,
Louisiana, a Component of the
Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana—
Ecosystem Restoration, Barrier Island
Restoration, Marsh Creation, and River
Diversion, Barataria Basin Feasibility
Study (LCA Wetland Restoration Study).
This notice of intent addresses the
Caminada Headland and Shell Island
reaches of the Barataria barrier shoreline
that is presently addressed in the NOI
for the Barrier Shoreline Restoration
Study and also addresses the Chenier
Unit marsh creation feature that is
presently addressed in the NOI for the
Wetland Restoration Study.
DATES: Scoping meetings will be
conducted during the 30-day scoping
meeting comment period so that scoping
meeting comments will be accepted up
to 10 days following the final scoping
meeting.
ADDRESSES: Scoping comments
regarding the Draft EIS (DEIS) for the
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 96 / Thursday, May 19, 2005 / Notices
LCA Caminada Headland and Shell
Island Restoration Feasibility Study may
be provided orally or in writing at the
scoping meetings; sent via email to
LCACSI@mvn02.usace.army.mil; sent
via the Worldwide Web at https://
www.LCA.gov; or sent via letter
postmarked not later than the close of
the scoping comment period to Dr.
William P. Klein, Jr., CEMVN–PM–RS,
P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, LA
70160–0267. Comments will not be
accepted if submitted by facsimile (fax).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
William P. Klein, Jr., (504) 862–2540.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background: On April 28, 2000 a
NOI was published in the Federal
Register (65 FR 24944) for preparing an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Barrier Shoreline Restoration in
Lafourche, Jefferson, and Plaquemines
Parishes, Louisiana, a Component of the
Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana—
Ecosystem Restoration, Barrier Island
Restoration, Marsh Creation, and River
Diversion, Barataria Basin Feasibility
Study (LCA Barrier Shoreline
Restoration Study). On May 5, 2000 a
notice of intent was published in the
Federal Register (65 FR 26192) for
preparing an EIS for the Wetland
Restoration and/or Creation in the
Barataria Basin, Louisiana, a Component
of the Louisiana Coastal Area,
Louisiana—Ecosystem Restoration,
Barrier Island Restoration, Marsh
Creation, and River Diversion, Barataria
Basin Feasibility Study (LCA Wetland
Creation Study). Investigation of these
studies was temporarily suspended
pending completion of the near-term
Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA), Louisiana
Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study
(LCA Ecosystem Restoration Study). A
final programmatic EIS for the LCA
Ecosystem Restoration Study was
released for public comment in
November 2004, completed in December
2004, and the related Chief of Engineers
Report was signed on January 31, 2005.
The programmatic findings specify
recommendations that refocus and
advance planning, scientific, and
restoration efforts that are already
underway. The Corps believes these
findings have influenced the purpose
and need for action and the scope of the
analysis of the LCA Caminada Headland
and Shell Island Restoration Feasibility
Study. Hence, the Corps proposes to
prepare a draft EIS for the LCA
Caminada Headland and Shell Island
Restoration Feasibility Study.
The EIS will document the NEPA
(National Environmental Policy Act of
1969) process identifying and assessing
reasonable alternatives to proposed
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22:14 May 18, 2005
Jkt 205001
actions that will avoid or minimize
adverse effects of these actions upon the
quality of the human environment.
Specifically, the EIS will analyze the
potential direct, indirect, and
cumulative impacts of implementing
barrier shoreline restoration and
wetland restoration in Lafourche,
Plaquemines, and portions of Jefferson
Parishes, Louisiana. The LCA
Caminada-Shell Island Restoration
Study, as stated in the January 2005
Chiefs Report, is one of 15 near-term
features of the LCA Ecosystem
Restoration Plan. Each of the 15 LCA
projects will address critical near-term,
site-specific restoration actions across
the Louisiana coast. The study
investigating the Caminada Headland
and Shell Island reaches of the Barataria
Barrier Shoreline initiates detailed
feasibility-level plan formulation and
environmental impacts analysis.
2. Proposed Action and Reasonable
Alternatives. This restoration feature
involves mining offshore and/or riverine
sediment sources to reestablish a
sustainable barrier system (e.g. barrier
islands, shorelines, and headlands) at
Caminada Headland and Shell Island.
The proposed action will build upon the
alternatives considered under the LCA
Barrier Shoreline Restoration Study and
the LCA Wetland Creation Study. The
proposed action will consider all
reasonable alternatives for restoration of
the Caminada Headland and Shell
Island, including: Consideration of
offshore, nearshore, riverine, and other
borrow sources; varying widths and
configurations of barrier shoreline and
dune heights; marsh restoration as a
platform for barrier shoreline rollover;
as well as other recommendations from
the public and interested parties. The
Caminada Headland and Shell Island
reaches are critical components of the
Barataria Barrier System. The Caminada
headland protects one of the highest
concentrations of near-gulf oil and gas
infrastructure in the coastal zone. This
reach of the Barataria shoreline also
supports the only land-based access to
the barrier shoreline in the Deltaic
Plain. The Shell Island segment has
been nearly lost, and failure to take
restorative action could result in the
loss of any future options for
restoration. Loss of the Shell Island
segment would result in permanent
modification of the tidal hydrology of
the Barataria Basin. The Shell Island
segment is the only remaining natural
barrier between the Gulf and lower
Plaquemines Parish.
3. Scoping Process. The Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regulations implementing the NEPA
process directs federal agencies that
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have made a decision to prepare an
environmental impact statement to
engage in a public scoping process. The
scoping process is designed to provide
an early and open means of determining
the scope of issues (problems, needs,
and opportunities) to be identified and
addressed in the draft environmental
impact assessment. Scoping is the
process used to: (a) Identify the affected
public and agency concerns; (b)
facilitate an efficient EIS preparation
process; (c) define the issues and
alternatives that will be examined in
detail in the EIS; and (d) save time in
the overall process by helping to ensure
that the draft statements adequately
address relevant issues. Scoping is a
process, not an event or a meeting. It
continues throughout the planning for a
draft EIS and may involve meetings,
telephone conversations, and/or written
comments.
4. Request for Scoping Comments. In
June 2005, the Corps will conduct
scoping meetings to determine the scope
of issues to be addressed and for
identifying the significant issues related
to the draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for the Louisiana
Coastal Area (LCA), Louisiana—
Caminada Headland and Shell Island
Restoration Feasibility Study. Notices
will be mailed to the affected and
interested public once the dates and
locations of the scoping meetings have
been established. The Corps invites
scoping input concerning the following
scoping focus questions: Question #1:
What are the critical natural and human
environmental problems and needs that
should be addressed in the DEIS? For
example, critical natural and human
ecological needs may include: barrier
shoreline sustainability, navigation,
barrier shoreline habitat restoration,
hurricane and flood protection,
protection of human infrastructure, and
others. Question #2: What are the
significant resources that should be
considered in the DEIS? For example,
significant resources may include:
Barrier shorelines, offshore sand
resources, water quality, threatened and
endangered species, and others.
Question #3: What are the reasonable
restoration alternatives that should be
considered in the DEIS? For example,
consider alternative borrow sites from
inland reaches of the Mississippi River
and outside the system, rock the entire
shoreline, use hardened structures such
as break waters, re-establish the barrier
shoreline further inland, emphasize
marsh creation as major component of
barrier shoreline restoration, and others.
Interested parties are encouraged to
provide their input and
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 96 / Thursday, May 19, 2005 / Notices
recommendations for all significant
issues of the study.
Scoping comments will be compiled,
analyzed, and utilized in the plan
formulation process. A Scoping Report,
summarizing the comments, will be
made available to all scoping
participants and published on the
Louisiana Coastal Area Web site (http:/
/www.LCA.gov). Scoping comments will
be accepted throughout the scoping
comment period (see DATES).
5. Public Involvement. Scoping is a
critical component of the overall public
involvement program. An intensive
public involvement program will
continue throughout the study to solicit
input from affected Federal, State, and
local agencies, Indian tribes, and other
interested parties.
6. Interagency Coordination and
Cooperation. Pursuant to section 1501.6
of the NEPA (30 CFR parts 1500–1508),
the following agencies have been
invited to participate in the study as
cooperating agencies on the EIS:
Minerals Management Service, National
Marine Fisheries Service, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.
Geological Service, Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality,
Louisiana Department of Natural
Resources, and the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will
provide a Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act Report. Coordination
will be maintained with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and the National
Marine Fisheries Service regarding
threatened and endangered species
under their respective jurisdictional
responsibilities. Coordination will be
maintained with the National Marine
Fisheries Service regarding essential
fish habitat. Coordination will be
maintained with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service regarding prime
and unique farmlands. The U.S.
Department of Agriculture will be
consulted regarding the ‘‘Swampbuster’’
provisions of the Food Security Act.
Coordination will be maintained with
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency concerning compliance with
Executive Order 12898, ‘‘Federal Action
to Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations.’’ Coordination will be
maintained with the Advisory Counsel
on Historic Preservation and the State
Historic Preservation Officer. The
Louisiana Department of Natural
Resources will be consulted regarding
consistency with the Coastal Zone
Management Act. The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
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22:14 May 18, 2005
Jkt 205001
will be contacted concerning potential
impacts to Natural and Scenic Streams.
7. Availability of Draft EIS. It is
anticipated that the Draft EIS will be
available for public review during the
late summer of 2005. A 45-day review
period will be provided so that all
interested agencies, groups and
individuals will have an opportunity to
comment on the Draft EIS. In addition,
public meetings will be held during the
review period to receive comments and
address questions concerning the Draft
EIS.
Dated: May 9, 2005.
Peter J. Rowan,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05–9997 Filed 5–18–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–84–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Portion
of the Kissimmee River Restoration
Project
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, intends to
prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for the Kissimmee
Chain of Lakes (KCOL) portion of the
Kissimmee River Restoration (KRR)
project. This project involves the
establishment of a coordinated schedule
of water level drawdowns throughout
the seventeen lakes comprising the
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (KCOL), for
the ultimate purpose of facilitating
environmental restoration throughout
those water bodies. The local sponsor is
the South Florida Water Management
District.
Mr.
Esteban Jimenez, 904–232–2115, Special
Projects Section, Environmental Branch,
Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970,
Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
authority to conduct this comprehensive
analysis is granted under Section 206 of
the 1996 Water Resources Development
Act. The Kissimmee River Basin flood
control works were authorized by the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1954 as an
addition to the Central & South Florida
Flood Control Project. The primary
project purposes are restoration of
natural flooding in the historic
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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floodplain in order to reestablish
wetland conditions while maintaining
the existing protection against flood
damages within the Kissimmee Basin,
and to improve the environmental
setting of the KCOL area.
The proposed action on the
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes includes:
Lake Hart, Lake Mary Jane, East Lake
Tohopekaliga, Lake Myrtle, Lake
Preston, Lake Conlin, Lake
Tohopekaliga, Lake Gentry, Lake
Russell, Cypress Lake, Lake Marion,
Lake Hatchinehea, Lake Pierce, Lake
Rosalie, Tiger Lake, Lake Jackson, Lake
Marian, and Lake Weohykapka. The
lakes are all located in the Upper
Kissimmee River Upper Basin (KRUB),
and covers both Osceola and Polk
Counties in Florida.
The objective of the study is to
evaluate the possibility of implementing
revised regulation schedules for the
Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. This
is so that common and coordinated
regulation schedules can be enacted for
the Chain of Lakes, in order to facilitate
ecosystem restoration.
Flora and Fauna—The 35,000 acres of
wetlands that existed in the Kissimmee
River Flood Plain prior to canalization
are estimated to have declined to about
14,000 acres in the existing condition.
Existing conditions of flora and fauna in
the KB are addressed below.
TOTAL EXISTING ACREAGES OF WETLAND HABITATS IN THE KISSIMMEE
RIVER FLOOD PLAIN
Type
Wetland Forested:
Cypress .................
Wetland Prairie:
Rhynchospora .......
Aquatic Grass .......
Maidencane ...........
Wetland Shrub:
Buttonbrush ...........
Primrose Willow ....
Willow ....................
Broadleaf ...............
Switchgrass ...........
Tussock .................
Total ...................
Total
Percent
262
1.9
1005
2359
2743
7.2
16.8
19.5
803
693
1639
3447
471
630
5.7
4.9
11.7
24.4
3.4
4.5
14052
100
The lakes are generally surrounded by
pine flatwoods, dry and wet prairies,
and cypress domes.
Wildlife in the Kissimmee River
Lower Basin (KRLB) consists of deer,
small mammals, alligators and small
reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates,
wading birds, and ducks. Because of the
large expanse of area involved, the
following Federally-listed threatened or
endangered species could occur in both
the KRUB and KRLB: Bald eagle, snail
E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28921-28923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9997]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)--Louisiana, Caminada Headland and Shell
Island Restoration Feasibility Study
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice of intent (NOI) for the Louisiana Coastal Area
(LCA)--Louisiana, Caminada Headland and Shell Island Restoration
Feasibility Study (LCA Caminada-Shell Island Study) supersedes the
notices of intent for the Barrier Shoreline Restoration in Lafourche,
Jefferson, and Plaquemines Parishes, Louisiana, a Component of the
Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana--Ecosystem Restoration, Barrier
Island Restoration, Marsh Creation, and River Diversion, Barataria
Basin Feasibility Study (Barrier Shoreline Restoration Study); and the
Wetland Restoration and/or Creation in the Barataria Basin, Louisiana,
a Component of the Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana--Ecosystem
Restoration, Barrier Island Restoration, Marsh Creation, and River
Diversion, Barataria Basin Feasibility Study (LCA Wetland Restoration
Study). This notice of intent addresses the Caminada Headland and Shell
Island reaches of the Barataria barrier shoreline that is presently
addressed in the NOI for the Barrier Shoreline Restoration Study and
also addresses the Chenier Unit marsh creation feature that is
presently addressed in the NOI for the Wetland Restoration Study.
DATES: Scoping meetings will be conducted during the 30-day scoping
meeting comment period so that scoping meeting comments will be
accepted up to 10 days following the final scoping meeting.
ADDRESSES: Scoping comments regarding the Draft EIS (DEIS) for the
[[Page 28922]]
LCA Caminada Headland and Shell Island Restoration Feasibility Study
may be provided orally or in writing at the scoping meetings; sent via
email to LCACSI@mvn02.usace.army.mil; sent via the Worldwide Web at
https://www.LCA.gov; or sent via letter postmarked not later than the
close of the scoping comment period to Dr. William P. Klein, Jr.,
CEMVN-PM-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, LA 70160-0267. Comments will
not be accepted if submitted by facsimile (fax).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. William P. Klein, Jr., (504) 862-
2540.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background: On April 28, 2000 a NOI was published in the Federal
Register (65 FR 24944) for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the Barrier Shoreline Restoration in Lafourche, Jefferson,
and Plaquemines Parishes, Louisiana, a Component of the Louisiana
Coastal Area, Louisiana--Ecosystem Restoration, Barrier Island
Restoration, Marsh Creation, and River Diversion, Barataria Basin
Feasibility Study (LCA Barrier Shoreline Restoration Study). On May 5,
2000 a notice of intent was published in the Federal Register (65 FR
26192) for preparing an EIS for the Wetland Restoration and/or Creation
in the Barataria Basin, Louisiana, a Component of the Louisiana Coastal
Area, Louisiana--Ecosystem Restoration, Barrier Island Restoration,
Marsh Creation, and River Diversion, Barataria Basin Feasibility Study
(LCA Wetland Creation Study). Investigation of these studies was
temporarily suspended pending completion of the near-term Louisiana
Coastal Area (LCA), Louisiana Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study
(LCA Ecosystem Restoration Study). A final programmatic EIS for the LCA
Ecosystem Restoration Study was released for public comment in November
2004, completed in December 2004, and the related Chief of Engineers
Report was signed on January 31, 2005. The programmatic findings
specify recommendations that refocus and advance planning, scientific,
and restoration efforts that are already underway. The Corps believes
these findings have influenced the purpose and need for action and the
scope of the analysis of the LCA Caminada Headland and Shell Island
Restoration Feasibility Study. Hence, the Corps proposes to prepare a
draft EIS for the LCA Caminada Headland and Shell Island Restoration
Feasibility Study.
The EIS will document the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969) process identifying and assessing reasonable alternatives to
proposed actions that will avoid or minimize adverse effects of these
actions upon the quality of the human environment. Specifically, the
EIS will analyze the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts
of implementing barrier shoreline restoration and wetland restoration
in Lafourche, Plaquemines, and portions of Jefferson Parishes,
Louisiana. The LCA Caminada-Shell Island Restoration Study, as stated
in the January 2005 Chiefs Report, is one of 15 near-term features of
the LCA Ecosystem Restoration Plan. Each of the 15 LCA projects will
address critical near-term, site-specific restoration actions across
the Louisiana coast. The study investigating the Caminada Headland and
Shell Island reaches of the Barataria Barrier Shoreline initiates
detailed feasibility-level plan formulation and environmental impacts
analysis.
2. Proposed Action and Reasonable Alternatives. This restoration
feature involves mining offshore and/or riverine sediment sources to
reestablish a sustainable barrier system (e.g. barrier islands,
shorelines, and headlands) at Caminada Headland and Shell Island. The
proposed action will build upon the alternatives considered under the
LCA Barrier Shoreline Restoration Study and the LCA Wetland Creation
Study. The proposed action will consider all reasonable alternatives
for restoration of the Caminada Headland and Shell Island, including:
Consideration of offshore, nearshore, riverine, and other borrow
sources; varying widths and configurations of barrier shoreline and
dune heights; marsh restoration as a platform for barrier shoreline
rollover; as well as other recommendations from the public and
interested parties. The Caminada Headland and Shell Island reaches are
critical components of the Barataria Barrier System. The Caminada
headland protects one of the highest concentrations of near-gulf oil
and gas infrastructure in the coastal zone. This reach of the Barataria
shoreline also supports the only land-based access to the barrier
shoreline in the Deltaic Plain. The Shell Island segment has been
nearly lost, and failure to take restorative action could result in the
loss of any future options for restoration. Loss of the Shell Island
segment would result in permanent modification of the tidal hydrology
of the Barataria Basin. The Shell Island segment is the only remaining
natural barrier between the Gulf and lower Plaquemines Parish.
3. Scoping Process. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regulations implementing the NEPA process directs federal agencies that
have made a decision to prepare an environmental impact statement to
engage in a public scoping process. The scoping process is designed to
provide an early and open means of determining the scope of issues
(problems, needs, and opportunities) to be identified and addressed in
the draft environmental impact assessment. Scoping is the process used
to: (a) Identify the affected public and agency concerns; (b)
facilitate an efficient EIS preparation process; (c) define the issues
and alternatives that will be examined in detail in the EIS; and (d)
save time in the overall process by helping to ensure that the draft
statements adequately address relevant issues. Scoping is a process,
not an event or a meeting. It continues throughout the planning for a
draft EIS and may involve meetings, telephone conversations, and/or
written comments.
4. Request for Scoping Comments. In June 2005, the Corps will
conduct scoping meetings to determine the scope of issues to be
addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to the
draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Louisiana Coastal
Area (LCA), Louisiana--Caminada Headland and Shell Island Restoration
Feasibility Study. Notices will be mailed to the affected and
interested public once the dates and locations of the scoping meetings
have been established. The Corps invites scoping input concerning the
following scoping focus questions: Question #1: What are the critical
natural and human environmental problems and needs that should be
addressed in the DEIS? For example, critical natural and human
ecological needs may include: barrier shoreline sustainability,
navigation, barrier shoreline habitat restoration, hurricane and flood
protection, protection of human infrastructure, and others. Question
#2: What are the significant resources that should be considered in the
DEIS? For example, significant resources may include: Barrier
shorelines, offshore sand resources, water quality, threatened and
endangered species, and others. Question #3: What are the reasonable
restoration alternatives that should be considered in the DEIS? For
example, consider alternative borrow sites from inland reaches of the
Mississippi River and outside the system, rock the entire shoreline,
use hardened structures such as break waters, re-establish the barrier
shoreline further inland, emphasize marsh creation as major component
of barrier shoreline restoration, and others. Interested parties are
encouraged to provide their input and
[[Page 28923]]
recommendations for all significant issues of the study.
Scoping comments will be compiled, analyzed, and utilized in the
plan formulation process. A Scoping Report, summarizing the comments,
will be made available to all scoping participants and published on the
Louisiana Coastal Area Web site (https://www.LCA.gov). Scoping comments
will be accepted throughout the scoping comment period (see DATES).
5. Public Involvement. Scoping is a critical component of the
overall public involvement program. An intensive public involvement
program will continue throughout the study to solicit input from
affected Federal, State, and local agencies, Indian tribes, and other
interested parties.
6. Interagency Coordination and Cooperation. Pursuant to section
1501.6 of the NEPA (30 CFR parts 1500-1508), the following agencies
have been invited to participate in the study as cooperating agencies
on the EIS: Minerals Management Service, National Marine Fisheries
Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological
Service, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana
Department of Natural Resources, and the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide
a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report. Coordination will be
maintained with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National
Marine Fisheries Service regarding threatened and endangered species
under their respective jurisdictional responsibilities. Coordination
will be maintained with the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding
essential fish habitat. Coordination will be maintained with the
Natural Resources Conservation Service regarding prime and unique
farmlands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be consulted
regarding the ``Swampbuster'' provisions of the Food Security Act.
Coordination will be maintained with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency concerning compliance with Executive Order 12898, ``Federal
Action to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations.'' Coordination will be maintained with the
Advisory Counsel on Historic Preservation and the State Historic
Preservation Officer. The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
will be consulted regarding consistency with the Coastal Zone
Management Act. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will
be contacted concerning potential impacts to Natural and Scenic
Streams.
7. Availability of Draft EIS. It is anticipated that the Draft EIS
will be available for public review during the late summer of 2005. A
45-day review period will be provided so that all interested agencies,
groups and individuals will have an opportunity to comment on the Draft
EIS. In addition, public meetings will be held during the review period
to receive comments and address questions concerning the Draft EIS.
Dated: May 9, 2005.
Peter J. Rowan,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05-9997 Filed 5-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P
