Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Construction of the Following Features of the Mississippi River and Tributaries-Morganza, LA to the Gulf of Mexico Project (MtoG): Houma Navigation Canal (HNC) Lock Complex and Associated Structures, in Terrebonne Parish in the Vicinity of Dulac, LA to Include Levee Reach G1, HNC Lock Access Road, HNC Closure Dam, HNC Lock and Floodgate Complex, Levee Reach F1, Bayou Grand Caillou Structure, and the Sand Sources for these Levee Reaches, 52368 [05-17496]
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52368
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices
phone number to Stephen Cauffman and
he will provide you with instructions
for admittance. Non-U.S. citizens must
also submit their country of citizenship,
title, employer/sponsor, and address.
Mr. Cauffman’s e-mail address is
stephen.cauffman@nist.gov and his
phone number is (301) 975–6051.
Dated: August 26, 2005.
William Jeffrey,
Director.
[FR Doc. 05–17518 Filed 9–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
Construction of the Following Features
of the Mississippi River and
Tributaries—Morganza, LA to the Gulf
of Mexico Project (MtoG): Houma
Navigation Canal (HNC) Lock Complex
and Associated Structures, in
Terrebonne Parish in the Vicinity of
Dulac, LA to Include Levee Reach G1,
HNC Lock Access Road, HNC Closure
Dam, HNC Lock and Floodgate
Complex, Levee Reach F1, Bayou
Grand Caillou Structure, and the Sand
Sources for these Levee Reaches
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division,
New Orleans District, is initiating this
study under the authority of the Energy
and Water Development Appropriation
Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Pub. L. 107–
66) to determine the environmental
impacts of the Houma Navigation Canal
(HNC) lock complex and associated
structures. The reconnaissance study for
the Mississippi River & Tributaries—
Morganza, Louisiana to the Gulf of
Mexico hurricane protection project
(MtoG) was authorized by a resolution
adopted April 30, 1992, by the
Committee of Public Works and
Transportation of the U.S. House of
Representatives. The Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA) of 1996
authorized the Corps to conduct an
independent study of a lock to be
located in the HNC. That study was
completed in 1997. In 1998, Congress
authorized the Corps to initiate detailed
design of the multipurpose lock in the
HNC. A Final Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement
(FPEIS) entitled ‘‘Mississippi River &
Tributaries—Morganza, Louisiana to the
VerDate Aug<18>2005
18:00 Sep 01, 2005
Jkt 205001
Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Protection’’
went to the public in March 2002. A
Record of Decision has not been signed
for this FPEIS. The MtoG entered the
design phase following approval by the
Mississippi River Commission and the
execution of a design agreement in May
2002. The lock complex and associated
structures on the HNC are part of the
larger MtoG project.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions concerning the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
should be addressed to Mr. Nathan
Dayan at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
PM–RS, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans,
LA 70160–0267, phone (504) 862–2030,
fax number (504) 862–2572 or by
e-mail at
nathan.s.dayan@mvn02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action. The proposed
action would include (1) The
construction of a gated lock and
floodgate complex built in a bypass
channel adjacent to the HNC, (2) the
building of closure dam on the HNC, (3)
the construction of MtoG hurricane
protection levee reach G1, (4) the
building of HNC lock access road, (5)
the building of MtoG hurricane
protection levee reach F1, (6) the
construction of Bayou Grand Caillou
structure, and (7) identification of the
sand sources for construction activity.
The material dredged for the
construction and maintenance of the
channels would be used for wetlands
restoration and construction, to the
extent practicable. Economic and
environmental analysis would be used
to determine the most practical plan,
which would provide for the greatest
overall public benefit.
2. Alternatives. Alternatives
recommended for consideration
presently include the construction of
the HNC lock complex and associated
structures as described in the MtoG
programmatic FEIS. Additionally,
various levee alignments, as well as
structure locations, depth, and sizes will
be investigated.
3. Scoping. Scoping is the process for
determining the scope of alternatives
and significant issues to be addressed in
the EIS. A letter will be sent to all
parties believed to have an interest in
the analysis. The letter will also notify
interested parties of public scoping
meetings that will be held in the local
area and request their input on
alternatives and issues to be evaluated.
Notices will also be sent to local news
media. All interested parties are invited
to comment at this time, and anyone
interested in this study should request
to be included in the study mailing list.
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
A public scoping meeting will be held
around September of 2005. The meeting
will be held in the vicinity of Houma,
LA. Additional meetings could be held,
depending upon public interest and if it
is determined that further public
coordination is warranted.
4. Significant Issues. The tentative list
of resources and issues to be evaluated
in the EIS includes tidal wetlands
(marshes and swamps), aquatic
resources, commercial and recreational
fisheries, wildlife resources, essential
fish habitat, water quality, air quality,
threatened and endangered species,
recreation resources, and cultural
resources. Socioeconomic items to be
evaluated in the EIS include navigation,
flood protection, business and industrial
activity, employment, land use,
property values, public/community
facilities and services, tax revenues,
population, community and regional
growth, transportation, housing,
community cohesion, and noise.
5. Environmental Consultation and
Review. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) will assist in the
documentation of existing conditions
and assessment of effects of project
alternatives through Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act consultation
procedures. The USFWS will provide a
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
report. Consultation will be
accomplished with the USFWS and the
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) concerning threatened and
endangered species and their critical
habitat. The NMFS will be consulted
regarding the effects of this proposed
action on Essential Fish Habitat. The
draft EIS (DEIS) or a notice of its
availability will be distributed to all
interested agencies, organizations, and
individuals.
6. Estimated Date of Availability.
Funding levels will dictate the date
when the DEIS is available. The earliest
that the DEIS is expected to be available
is May of 2006.
Dated: August 16, 2005.
Richard P. Wagenaar,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05–17496 Filed 9–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–84–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Department of Education.
The Leader, Information
Management Case Services Team,
Regulatory Information Management
Services, Office of the Chief Information
AGENCY:
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM
02SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 170 (Friday, September 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 52368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17496]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for
Construction of the Following Features of the Mississippi River and
Tributaries--Morganza, LA to the Gulf of Mexico Project (MtoG): Houma
Navigation Canal (HNC) Lock Complex and Associated Structures, in
Terrebonne Parish in the Vicinity of Dulac, LA to Include Levee Reach
G1, HNC Lock Access Road, HNC Closure Dam, HNC Lock and Floodgate
Complex, Levee Reach F1, Bayou Grand Caillou Structure, and the Sand
Sources for these Levee Reaches
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division,
New Orleans District, is initiating this study under the authority of
the Energy and Water Development Appropriation Act for Fiscal Year 2002
(Pub. L. 107-66) to determine the environmental impacts of the Houma
Navigation Canal (HNC) lock complex and associated structures. The
reconnaissance study for the Mississippi River & Tributaries--Morganza,
Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico hurricane protection project (MtoG) was
authorized by a resolution adopted April 30, 1992, by the Committee of
Public Works and Transportation of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1996 authorized the Corps
to conduct an independent study of a lock to be located in the HNC.
That study was completed in 1997. In 1998, Congress authorized the
Corps to initiate detailed design of the multipurpose lock in the HNC.
A Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FPEIS) entitled
``Mississippi River & Tributaries--Morganza, Louisiana to the Gulf of
Mexico Hurricane Protection'' went to the public in March 2002. A
Record of Decision has not been signed for this FPEIS. The MtoG entered
the design phase following approval by the Mississippi River Commission
and the execution of a design agreement in May 2002. The lock complex
and associated structures on the HNC are part of the larger MtoG
project.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) should be addressed to Mr. Nathan
Dayan at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, PM-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New
Orleans, LA 70160-0267, phone (504) 862-2030, fax number (504) 862-2572
or by e-mail at nathan.s.dayan@mvn02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action. The proposed action would include (1) The
construction of a gated lock and floodgate complex built in a bypass
channel adjacent to the HNC, (2) the building of closure dam on the
HNC, (3) the construction of MtoG hurricane protection levee reach G1,
(4) the building of HNC lock access road, (5) the building of MtoG
hurricane protection levee reach F1, (6) the construction of Bayou
Grand Caillou structure, and (7) identification of the sand sources for
construction activity.
The material dredged for the construction and maintenance of the
channels would be used for wetlands restoration and construction, to
the extent practicable. Economic and environmental analysis would be
used to determine the most practical plan, which would provide for the
greatest overall public benefit.
2. Alternatives. Alternatives recommended for consideration
presently include the construction of the HNC lock complex and
associated structures as described in the MtoG programmatic FEIS.
Additionally, various levee alignments, as well as structure locations,
depth, and sizes will be investigated.
3. Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the scope of
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the EIS. A
letter will be sent to all parties believed to have an interest in the
analysis. The letter will also notify interested parties of public
scoping meetings that will be held in the local area and request their
input on alternatives and issues to be evaluated. Notices will also be
sent to local news media. All interested parties are invited to comment
at this time, and anyone interested in this study should request to be
included in the study mailing list.
A public scoping meeting will be held around September of 2005. The
meeting will be held in the vicinity of Houma, LA. Additional meetings
could be held, depending upon public interest and if it is determined
that further public coordination is warranted.
4. Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues
to be evaluated in the EIS includes tidal wetlands (marshes and
swamps), aquatic resources, commercial and recreational fisheries,
wildlife resources, essential fish habitat, water quality, air quality,
threatened and endangered species, recreation resources, and cultural
resources. Socioeconomic items to be evaluated in the EIS include
navigation, flood protection, business and industrial activity,
employment, land use, property values, public/community facilities and
services, tax revenues, population, community and regional growth,
transportation, housing, community cohesion, and noise.
5. Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) will assist in the documentation of existing
conditions and assessment of effects of project alternatives through
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act consultation procedures. The USFWS
will provide a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report. Consultation
will be accomplished with the USFWS and the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) concerning threatened and endangered species and their
critical habitat. The NMFS will be consulted regarding the effects of
this proposed action on Essential Fish Habitat. The draft EIS (DEIS) or
a notice of its availability will be distributed to all interested
agencies, organizations, and individuals.
6. Estimated Date of Availability. Funding levels will dictate the
date when the DEIS is available. The earliest that the DEIS is expected
to be available is May of 2006.
Dated: August 16, 2005.
Richard P. Wagenaar,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05-17496 Filed 9-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P