Public Scoping Meeting and Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Widening of the Freeport Ship Channel in Freeport, Brazoria County, TX, 62101-62102 [05-21521]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 208 / Friday, October 28, 2005 / Notices
systems with fourteen drainage
structures, and nine closure structures,
six of which incorporate limited road
raisings.
Mr.
Jeff Trulick, Study Manager, (410) 962–
6715 or (800) 295–1610 or via e-mail at
jeff.trulick@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Town
of Bloomsburg, PA, is located in
Columbia County within the Middle
Susquehanna River sub-basin. The
Susquehanna River forms the Town’s
southern boundary, and Fishing Creek
forms the northern and western
boundary.
The primary water resources problem
along the Susquehanna River at
Bloomsburg is recurrent flooding.
Recurrent flooding that occurs in the
Bloomsburg study area is a result of the
morphology of the Susquehanna River
and the regional topography. When the
Susquehanna River and a local
tributary, Fishing Creek, simultaneously
rise above flood stage, overbank
flooding can cover up to 33 percent of
the landmass within the Town of
Bloomsburg’s boundaries.
Flood damages are attributable to
overbank flooding from the
Susquehanna River and to flooding
along Fishing Creek. Past flood events
have resulted in extensive damages to
structures and their contents and have
threatened public safety. The
Bloomsburg study area includes
approximately 525 residential structures
and 75 businesses.
The recommended flood damage
reduction plan is the National Economic
Development (NED) Plan with a
Tropical Storm Agnes (440-year) level of
protection from Susquehanna River
flooding, and 100-year level of
protection from Fishing Creek flooding.
The alignment of the line of protection
was refined based on physical,
environmental, and economic criteria.
The project consists of a system of
earthen levees, mechanically stabilized
earth (MSE) floodwalls, concrete
floodwalls, railroad and road closure
structures and roadway relocations to
provide ramps over the line of
protection. Earthen levees are proposed
for the majority of the line of protection,
though MSE walls will be required
along portions of Fishing Creek in both
Bloomsburg and Fernville and a
concrete floodwall (H-Pile wall) will be
required along portions of Fishing Creek
in Bloomsburg. Limited riprap will be
used to protect the steep banks of
Fishing Creek from bank crest to below
the stream invert along the lower project
reaches along Fishing Creek.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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Permanent environmental impacts
will include restricted views by the
levee/floodwall system of Fishing Creek
from Bloomsburg and Fernville,
excavation and off-site disposal of
approximately 4,500 cubic yards of
hazardous, toxic and radioactive waste
materials, conversion of approximately
11.5 acres of farmland designated as
Prime Farmland or Additional Farmland
of Statewide Importance to nonagricultural use, long-term loss of nearly
3,000 linear feet of riparian habitat
along Fishing Creek, the loss of less than
one acre of wetlands, and taking of
residential homes and business
structures within the levee/floodwall
footprint.
USACE has distributed copies of the
Final Integrated Feasibility Report and
EIS to appropriate members of Congress,
State and local government officials,
Federal agencies, and other interested
parties. Copies are available for public
review at the following locations:
(1) Bloomsburg Public Library, 225
Market Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(2) Bloomsburg University Library,
400 E. Second Street, Bloomsburg, PA
17815
You may also view the Final
Integrated Feasibility Report and EIS in
addition to related information on our
Web page at https://
www.nab.usace.army.mil/publications/
non-reg_pub.htm.
The Final Integrated Feasibility
Report and EIS has been prepared in
accordance with (1) The National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on
Environmental Quality for
implementing the procedural provisions
of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and
(3) USACE regulations implementing
NEPA (ER–200–2–2).
Jeff Trulick,
Study Manager, Civil Project Development
Branch, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 05–21522 Filed 10–27–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–41–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Public Scoping Meeting and
Preparation of Draft Environmental
Impact Statement for Widening of the
Freeport Ship Channel in Freeport,
Brazoria County, TX
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
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62101
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Galveston District intends to
prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) to assess the social,
economic and environmental effects of
the proposed widening of portions of
the Freeport Harbor Entrance and Jetty
Channels. The DEIS will assess
potential impacts of a range of
alternatives, including the No Action
and preferred alternatives. The Federal
action is consideration of a Department
of Army Permit application for work
under section 10 of the Rivers and
Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403),
section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33
U.S.C. 1344) and section 103 of the
Marine Protection Research and
Sanctuary Act (33 U.S.C. 1413).
DATES: A public scoping meeting will be
held on November 29, 2005 at 7 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Freeport Community House, 1300
W. 2nd, Freeport, TX 77541.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Bryan Herczeg, Project Manager, by
letter at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, Texas 77553,
by telephone at (409) 766–6389, or by email at
bryan.a.herczeg@usace.army.mil.
The
Galveston District intends to prepare a
DEIS on the proposed channel widening
of portions of the Freeport Harbor
Channel, which leads to Freeport
Harbor, Freeport, Brazoria County, TX.
The Brazos River Harbor Navigation
District (Port of Freeport) proposes this
project.
1. Description of the Proposed Project:
The Port of Freeport is proposing to
widen the Freeport Harbor Channel as
follows:
a. From Channel Station 63+35, near
the U.S. Coast Guard Station, to Channel
Station 45+00, the channel will be
widened gradually an additional 0 to
150 feet;
b. From Channel Station 45+00 to
Channel Station 40+00, the Channel
will be widened an additional 150 to
200 feet;
c. From 40+00, in the Jetty Channel to
the end of the existing Entrance
Channel, the channel will be widened
by 200 feet, from the existing channel
width of 400 feet to 600 feet;
d. The depth of the channel will be
as at present, 47 feet in the Jetty
Channel (45 feet project depth plus 2
feet advanced maintenance) and 49 feet
in the Entrance Channel (45 feet project
depth plus 2 feet advanced maintenance
plus 2 feet allowable overdraft);
e. Approximately 3.2 million cubic
yards (mcy) of dredged material will be
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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62102
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 208 / Friday, October 28, 2005 / Notices
generated from the widening project;
and
f. Approximately 300,000 cubic yards
of dredged material will be used
beneficially for beach nourishment on
Quintana Beach and the remainder of
the dredged material will be placed
offshore approximately 2.5 miles off
Quintana in approximately 40 feet of
water.
2. Scoping and Public Involvement
Process: A scoping meeting to gather
information on the subjects to be
studied in detail in the DEIS will be
conducted on (see DATES). An informal
open house, allowing for review of the
proposed project and questions and
answers, will be conducted between 5
and 7 p.m., prior to the scoping meeting.
3. Significant Issues: Issues associated
with the proposed project to be given
significant analysis in the DEIS are
likely to include, but may not be limited
to, the potential impacts of the proposed
dredging, dredged material placement,
the beneficial uses of dredged material,
water quality, fish and wildlife values
including threatened and endangered
species; air quality; environmental
justice; socioeconomic environment;
archaeological and cultural resources;
recreation and recreational resources;
energy supply and natural resources;
hazardous waste and materials;
aesthetics; public health and safety;
navigation; shoreline erosion and
accretion; cumulative impacts, and the
needs and welfare of the people.
4. Technical Review and
Consultation: Several State and Federal
Agencies will be invited to provide
technical review of the DEIS. Those
agencies include: The Environmental
Protection Agency, National Marine
Fisheries Service, United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, the United States
Coast Guard, Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality, Texas General
Land Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department and the Texas Department
of Transportation.
5. Additional Review and
Consultation: Additional review and
consultation that will be incorporated
into the preparation of this DEIS will
include: Compliance with the Texas
Coastal Management Program;
protection of cultural resources under
Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act; protection of
navigation under the Rivers and Harbors
Act of 1899; protection of water quality
under section 401 of the Clean Water
Act; protection of air quality under the
Clean Air Act; and protection of
endangered and threatened species
under section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act.
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18:15 Oct 27, 2005
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6. Availability of the DEIS: The Draft
Environmental Impact Statement is
projected to be available in September
2006. At this time the Galveston District
plans to conduct a Public Hearing
following the release of the DEIS.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 05–21521 Filed 10–27–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–52–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining
Fish and Wildlife Service
Final Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement for Mountaintop
Mining and Valley Fills
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Department of the Army,
DOD; Environmental Protection Agency;
Office of Surface Mining and Fish and
Wildlife Service, Interior; and West
Virginia Department of Environmental
Protection.
ACTION: Announcement of availability of
Final Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement (FPEIS).
AGENCIES:
SUMMARY: The above agencies announce
the availability of the FPEIS that
considers developing policies, guidance,
and coordinated agency decisionmaking processes to minimize, to the
maximum extent practicable, the
adverse environmental effects to waters
of the United States and to fish and
wildlife resources affected by
mountaintop mining operations, and to
environmental resources that could be
affected by the size and location of
excess spoil-disposal sites in valley fills
within the Appalachian study area in
West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and
Tennessee. This FPEIS was prepared as
part of a settlement agreement that
resolved the Federal claims brought in
Bragg v. Robertson, Civ. No. 2:98–0636
(S.D.W.Va.).
This FPEIS was prepared consistent
with the provision set forth in 40 CFR
1503.4(c) of the Council on
Environmental Quality regulations
implementing NEPA, which allow the
agencies to attach an errata sheet to the
statement instead of rewriting the draft
statement and to circulate the errata,
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
comments, responses, and the changes,
rather than the entire document. The
agencies are filing the entire statement
with a new cover sheet as the FPEIS.
The FPEIS is being made available by
mail and can be viewed on the Internet
at https://www.epa.gov/region3/mtntop/
index.htm. The FPEIS can also be
viewed at local offices of the above
agencies and at selected local libraries.
Copies of the FPEIS may be obtained by
writing to the address listed below.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for
copies of the FPEIS to John Forren, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(3EA30), 1650 Arch Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19103.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Forren, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, at (215) 814–2705; Katherine
Trott, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at
(202) 761–5542; Mike Robinson, U.S.
Office of Surface Mining, at (412) 937–
2882; Cindy Tibbott, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, at (814) 234–4090; or
Russell Hunter, West Virginia
Department of Environmental
Protection, at (304) 926–0499.
Dated: October 20, 2005.
Gerald W. Barnes,
Chief, Operations, Directorate of Civil Works.
David Evans,
Director, Wetlands Division, Environmental
Protection Agency.
Glenda H. Owens,
Deputy Director, Office of Surface Mining.
Marshall P. Jones, Jr.
Deputy Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 05–21474 Filed 10–27–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–92–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Hearings for a Draft
Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement/Environmental Impact
Statement for the Undersea Warfare
Training Range
Department of the Navy, DOD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Executive Order
12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of
Major Federal Actions, and Section
102(2) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as
implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality regulations (40
CFR Parts 1500–1508), the Department
of the Navy (Navy) has prepared and
filed with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency a Draft Overseas
Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Statement (Draft
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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62101-62102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21521]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Public Scoping Meeting and Preparation of Draft Environmental
Impact Statement for Widening of the Freeport Ship Channel in Freeport,
Brazoria County, TX
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District intends
to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess the
social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed widening of
portions of the Freeport Harbor Entrance and Jetty Channels. The DEIS
will assess potential impacts of a range of alternatives, including the
No Action and preferred alternatives. The Federal action is
consideration of a Department of Army Permit application for work under
section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403),
section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and section 103 of
the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuary Act (33 U.S.C. 1413).
DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held on November 29, 2005 at 7
p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Freeport Community House,
1300 W. 2nd, Freeport, TX 77541.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Herczeg, Project Manager, by
letter at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, Texas
77553, by telephone at (409) 766-6389, or by e-mail at
bryan.a.herczeg@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Galveston District intends to prepare a
DEIS on the proposed channel widening of portions of the Freeport
Harbor Channel, which leads to Freeport Harbor, Freeport, Brazoria
County, TX. The Brazos River Harbor Navigation District (Port of
Freeport) proposes this project.
1. Description of the Proposed Project: The Port of Freeport is
proposing to widen the Freeport Harbor Channel as follows:
a. From Channel Station 63+35, near the U.S. Coast Guard Station,
to Channel Station 45+00, the channel will be widened gradually an
additional 0 to 150 feet;
b. From Channel Station 45+00 to Channel Station 40+00, the Channel
will be widened an additional 150 to 200 feet;
c. From 40+00, in the Jetty Channel to the end of the existing
Entrance Channel, the channel will be widened by 200 feet, from the
existing channel width of 400 feet to 600 feet;
d. The depth of the channel will be as at present, 47 feet in the
Jetty Channel (45 feet project depth plus 2 feet advanced maintenance)
and 49 feet in the Entrance Channel (45 feet project depth plus 2 feet
advanced maintenance plus 2 feet allowable overdraft);
e. Approximately 3.2 million cubic yards (mcy) of dredged material
will be
[[Page 62102]]
generated from the widening project; and
f. Approximately 300,000 cubic yards of dredged material will be
used beneficially for beach nourishment on Quintana Beach and the
remainder of the dredged material will be placed offshore approximately
2.5 miles off Quintana in approximately 40 feet of water.
2. Scoping and Public Involvement Process: A scoping meeting to
gather information on the subjects to be studied in detail in the DEIS
will be conducted on (see DATES). An informal open house, allowing for
review of the proposed project and questions and answers, will be
conducted between 5 and 7 p.m., prior to the scoping meeting.
3. Significant Issues: Issues associated with the proposed project
to be given significant analysis in the DEIS are likely to include, but
may not be limited to, the potential impacts of the proposed dredging,
dredged material placement, the beneficial uses of dredged material,
water quality, fish and wildlife values including threatened and
endangered species; air quality; environmental justice; socioeconomic
environment; archaeological and cultural resources; recreation and
recreational resources; energy supply and natural resources; hazardous
waste and materials; aesthetics; public health and safety; navigation;
shoreline erosion and accretion; cumulative impacts, and the needs and
welfare of the people.
4. Technical Review and Consultation: Several State and Federal
Agencies will be invited to provide technical review of the DEIS. Those
agencies include: The Environmental Protection Agency, National Marine
Fisheries Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United
States Coast Guard, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas
General Land Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas
Department of Transportation.
5. Additional Review and Consultation: Additional review and
consultation that will be incorporated into the preparation of this
DEIS will include: Compliance with the Texas Coastal Management
Program; protection of cultural resources under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act; protection of navigation under the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899; protection of water quality under
section 401 of the Clean Water Act; protection of air quality under the
Clean Air Act; and protection of endangered and threatened species
under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
6. Availability of the DEIS: The Draft Environmental Impact
Statement is projected to be available in September 2006. At this time
the Galveston District plans to conduct a Public Hearing following the
release of the DEIS.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-21521 Filed 10-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-52-M
