Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for a Permit Application for the Berths 136-147 Terminal Improvement Project, Also Known as the TraPac Container Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA, 17456-17458 [E6-4904]
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17456
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 66 / Thursday, April 6, 2006 / Notices
132nd Council Meeting Agenda
Thursday, April 20, 2006, 1 p.m. Hawaii
Standard Time
1. Introductions
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Limits to Fishing in the NWHI
4. Public Hearing
5. Council Discussion and Action
6. Other Business
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in this agenda may come
before the Council for discussion, those
issues may not be the subject of formal
Council action during its 132nd
meeting. Council action will be
restricted to those issues specifically
listed in this document and any issue
arising after publication of this
document that requires emergency
action under section 305(c) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the
public has been notified of the Council’s
intent to take final action to address the
emergency.
Special Accommodations
These meetings are physically
accessible to people with disabilities.
Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds,
(808) 522–8220 (voice) or (808) 522–
8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the
meeting date.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 3, 2006.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6–4983 Filed 4–5–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Defense Science Board
Department of Defense.
Notice of Advisory Committee
Meetings.
AGENCY:
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Defense Science Board
2006 Summer Study will meet in closed
session on August 7–18, 2006; at the
Beckman Center, Irvine, CA. At this
meeting, the Defense Science Board will
discuss interim findings and
recommendations resulting from two
ongoing Task Force activities: 21st
Century Strategic Technology Vectors
and Information Management for NetCentric Operations.
The mission of the Defense Science
Board is to advise the Secretary of
Defense and the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition, Technology
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19:52 Apr 05, 2006
Jkt 208001
and Logistics on scientific and technical
matters as they affect the perceived
needs of the Department of Defense. At
this meeting, the Board will develop
recommendations regarding: the
operational value enabled by networks
and networking and their impact on
innovations across the Enterprise; the
underlying framework, architecture,
processes and organizational structures
that are in place or being pursued to
deliver the power of information to the
DoD enterprise as well as potential
external partners; and the state of the art
in knowledge utilization.
The Board will also review and
develop recommendations regarding:
previous attempts by DoD to identify
critical technologies in order to derive
lessons that would help illuminate the
current challenge; identify the National
Security objectives for the 21st century
and the operational missions that U.S.
military will be called upon to support
these objectives; identify new
operational capabilities needed for the
proposed missions; identify the critical
science technology, and other related
enablers of the desired capabilities;
assess current S&T investment plans’
relevance to the needed operational
capabilities and enablers and
recommend needed changes to the
plans; identify mechanisms to accelerate
and assure the transition of technology
into U.S. military capabilities; and
review and recommend changes as
needed, the current processes by which
national security objectives and needed
operational capabilities are used to
develop and prioritize science,
technology, and other related enablers,
and how those enablers are then
developed.
In accordance with Section 10(d) of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act,
Pub. L. No. 92–463, as amended (5
U.S.C. App. 2), it has been determined
that this meeting concerns matters listed
in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) and that,
accordingly, this meeting will be closed
to the public.
Ms.
Debra Rose, Executive Officer, Defense
Science Board, 3140 Defense Pentagon,
Room 3C553, Washington, DC 20301–
3140, via e-mail at debra.rose@osd.mil,
or via phone at (703) 571–0084.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dated: March 31, 2006.
L.M. Bynum,
OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer,
Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 06–3300 Filed 4–5–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–M
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers, Department of the
Army
Supplemental Notice of Intent To
Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement/Environmental Impact
Report (EIS/EIR) for a Permit
Application for the Berths 136–147
Terminal Improvement Project, Also
Known as the TraPac Container
Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles,
Los Angeles County, CA
AGENCY:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
DOD.
ACTION:
Notice of Intent (NOI).
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) Los Angeles District
in conjunction with the Los Angeles
Harbor Department (Port) is examining
the feasibility of waterside, terminal and
transportation improvements at Berths
136–147 in the Port of Los Angeles. The
Corps is considering the Port’s
application for a Department of the
Army permit under Clean Water Act
section 404 and River and Harbor Act
section 10 to conduct dredge and fill
activities and construct one new wharf
approximately 705 feet and seismically
upgrade two wharves approximately
3,022 feet in length associated with the
proposed project.
Major project elements to be covered
in the Draft EIS/EIR include: wharf
construction and landside
improvements. The landside
developments will include expansion,
redevelopment and construction of
marine terminal facilities, and
transportation infrastructure
improvements including construction of
grade separations, and potential
realignment of road and railways.
The primary Federal involvement is
the discharge of dredge and/or fill
materials within waters of the United
States, work (e.g. dredging) and
structures in or affecting navigable
waters of the United States, and
potential impacts on the human
environment from such activities.
Therefore, in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), the Corps is requiring the
preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) prior to rendering a
final decision on the Port’s permit
application. The Corps may ultimately
make a determination to permit or deny
the above project or permit or deny
modified versions of the above project.
Pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the
Port will serve as Lead Agency for the
Preparation of an Environmental Impact
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
06APN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 66 / Thursday, April 6, 2006 / Notices
Report (EIR). The Corps and the Port
have agreed to jointly prepare a Draft
EIS/EIR for the improvements at Berth
136–147 in order to optimize efficiency
and avoid duplication. The Draft EIS/
EIR is intended to be sufficient in scope
to address both the Federal and the state
and local requirements and
environmental issues concerning the
proposed activities and permit
approvals.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action
and Draft EIS/EIR can be answered by
Dr. Joshua Burnam, Corps Project
Manager, at (213) 452–3294. Comments
shall be addressed to: U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Los Angeles District,
Regulatory Branch. Attn: File Number
2003–0–1142–JLB, P.O. Box 532711, Los
Angeles, CA 90053–2325, and Dr. Ralph
Appy, Director of Environmental
Management, Port of Los Angeles, 425
S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA
90731.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Project Site and Background
Information. The proposed project is
located in the northwestern portion of
the Port of Los Angeles, adjacent to the
San Pedro District of the City of Los
Angeles, CA. The proposed project
involves dredge and fill operations, new
wharf construction, coupled with
terminal expansion on adjacent areas of
existing land, and improvement of
transportation infrastructure at and
adjacent to Berths 136–147.
The project’s overall goals are to
upgrade the container cargo handling
efficiency at the Berths 136–147
Terminal, increase its cargo handling
capacity, and to improve transportation
infrastructure in order to accommodate
forecasted and planned increases in the
volume of containerized goods shipped
through the Port. In order to meet these
goals, the following objectives must be
met:
• Establish needed container facilities
that would maximize the use of existing
waterways and integrate into the Port’s
overall utilization of available shoreline,
while maintaining opportunities for the
future integration with adjacent
terminals;
• Construct sufficient container
berthing and infrastructure capacity to
accommodate foreseeable increases in
containerized cargo volumes entering
the Port;
• Create sufficient backland area for
optimal container terminal operations
including, storage, transport, and on/
offloading of container ships in a safe
and efficient manner;
• Provide access to rail and truck
infrastructure locations in order to
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:52 Apr 05, 2006
Jkt 208001
minimize surface transportation
congestion or delays and promote
transport to both local and distant cargo
destinations; and
• Provide needed container terminal
accessory buildings and structures to
support containerized cargo handling
requirements.
2. Changes Since the October 19th,
2003 NOI/NOP. Since the NOI/NOP
process was completed, there have been
some project changes for the EIS/EIR.
These changes are as follows:
• The project was previously called
Berths 136–147. It is now identified as
Berths 136–149 (Figure 1).
• The size of the Terminal would
increase from 176 acres to 251 acres by
the year 2030 (previously, it was to
increase to 244 acres). With the
additional 7 acres of terminal area, there
would be some additional traffic and air
quality impacts.
• Projects associated with Phase I
were previously to be completed by the
year 2010 and Phase II by 2025. Now
Phase I projects would be completed by
2015 and Phase II by 2030.
• Harry Bridges Boulevard will only
be moved 50 feet to the north instead of
580 feet to the north. Because of this
change, there is no need to construct a
noise buffer (berm) between Harry
Bridges Boulevard and ‘‘C’’ Street
residents. There would now be an
approximately 25-acre landscaped area
between Harry Bridges Boulevard and
‘‘C’’ Street residents between Figueroa
Street and Lagoon Avenue. This new
project component would reduce air
quality, health risk, noise, and aesthetic
impacts on the adjoining Wilmington
residents.
• There are presently 13 cranes along
Berths 136–149. Some cranes will be
replaced and there will be a net
reduction of one crane (12 total) after
the proposed projects are completed.
This would reduce aesthetic impacts.
• 10 acres of additional backland
would be created for container terminal
use by filling in the 10-acre Northwest
Slip. This project would require
1,200,000 cubic yards (cy) of fill. A new
400-foot wharf (44,332 square feet)
would be built at an adjoining new
berth created by filling the Northwest
Slip. The fill slope would be covered
with 50,000 cy of rocky dike, 12,000 cy
of fill would be placed behind the dike,
and 397 concrete piles would be
installed. Approximately 3,000 cy
would be dredged as part of this project.
This project component is part of the
total 251-acre Terminal project that
would be completed by the year 2030.
This project component would have
some water quality and marine biology
impacts.
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
17457
• Instead of constructing two grade
separations at Neptune Avenue and
Avalon Boulevard as originally
envisioned there would be two other
transportation projects completed. A
Fries Avenue Grade Separation
(overpass over the rail tracks) would be
built (not part of the TraPac Terminal
project). Most of the TraPac cargo would
be moved over this new grade
separation. Also as part of the proposed
project, the ‘‘C’’ Street/Figueroa Street
interchange would be redesigned to
include an elevated ramp from Harry
Bridges Boulevard to the I–110 Freeway,
over John S. Gibson Boulevard. An
additional extension would connect
from Figueroa Street to the new elevated
ramp over Harry Bridges Boulevard.
These transportation projects would
reduce traffic and air quality impacts.
Project changes are being analyzed
through the Draft EIR/EIS process and
no new potentially significant impacts
not previously identified in the initial
scoping notice are anticipated as a result
of the changes. For example, changes
include adding 7 acres of terminal area,
which would result in some additional
traffic and air quality impacts. However,
air quality and traffic were identified as
potentially significant impacts in the
2003 NOP/NOI. Therefore, air quality
and traffic impacts are being analyzed as
part of the Draft EIR/EIS. Some changes
may also result in fewer impacts than
anticipated as part of the 2003 NOP/
NOI. For example, eliminating the noise
buffer between Harry Bridges Boulevard
and ‘‘C’’ Street and building instead a
25-acre landscaped area is anticipated to
result in fewer impacts than discussed
in the NOP/NOI. All project changes
will be discussed and analyzed in the
EIR/EIS.
3. Issues. There are several potential
environmental issues that will be
addressed in the EIS/EIR. Additional
issues may be identified during the
scoping process. Issues initially
identified as potentially significant
include:
(a) Geological issues, including
dredging and stabilization of fill areas in
an area of known seismic activity;
(b) Impacts to hydrology;
(c) Impacts to air quality;
(d) Impacts to traffic, including
marine navigation and ground
transportation;
(e) Potential for noise impacts;
(f) Impacts to public utilities and
services;
(g) Potential impacts to aesthetic
resources, including light and glare;
(h) Potential impacts on public health
and safety;
(i) Cumulative impacts; and
(j) Disposal of dredged materials.
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
06APN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
17458
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 66 / Thursday, April 6, 2006 / Notices
4. Alternatives. Alternatives initially
being considered for the proposed
improvement project include the
following:
(a) Alternate location(s) for the
Terminal Improvements (within the
State or within the Ports of Los Angeles/
Long Beach).
(b) Development of new landfills for
a container terminal.
(c) Non-containerized use of terminal
(i.e., lumber, autos).
(d) Non-shipping use i.e., park, cruise
terminal, commercial development,
empty container storage, etc.
(e) No Federal action (No wharf
construction or dredging—construction
of only backlands developments for
Phases I and II) with and without Harry
Bridges being relocated.
(f) Larger facility (14-acre fill for more
storage area).
(g) Reduce Wharf (reduced fill—
reduction in rip-rap, pilings, and
dredging).
(h) Proposed project without Harry
Bridges Boulevard being relocated.
(i) No Project (no physical changes).
5. Comment Process. All comments
received as part of the 2003 scoping
period will remain part of the
administrative record and be addressed
in the Draft EIR/EIS. A new public
scoping meeting will not be held.
Written comments to the Corps and Port
regarding the Project changes will be
received until April 28, 2006. Written
comments should be addressed to the
address below:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los
Angeles District, Regulatory Branch and
the Los Angeles Harbor Department,
c/o Dr. Joshua Burnam and Dr. Ralph G.
Appy, Attn: 2003–0–1142–JLB, P.O. Box
532711, Los Angeles, California 90053–
2325.
Parties interested in being added to
the Corps’ electronic mail notification
list for the Port of Los Angeles can
register at: https://
www.spl.usace.army.mil/regulatory/
register.html. This list will be used in
the future to notify the public about
scheduled hearings and availability of
future public notices.
6. Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR.
The joint lead agencies expect the Draft
EIS/EIR to be made available to the
public in Summer 2006. A public
hearing will be held during the public
comment period for the Draft EIS/EIR.
Alex C. Dornstauder,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. E6–4904 Filed 4–5–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–92–P
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19:52 Apr 05, 2006
Jkt 208001
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Availability of GovernmentOwned Inventions; Available for
Licensing
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The inventions listed below
are assigned to the United States
Government as represented by the
Secretary of the Navy and are made
available for licensing by the
Department of the Navy. U.S. Patent
Number 6,904,861, entitled ‘‘Boat
Capture System’’, issue date June 14,
2005.//U.S. Patent Pending, entitled
‘‘Role Based Access Control’’, Navy Case
Number 96217.//U.S. Patent Pending,
entitled System of Access Control Based
on Hierarchical Characteristics’’, Navy
Case Number 97189.//U.S. Patent
Pending, entitled ‘‘Software
Architecture for Access Control Based
Hierarchical Characteristics’’, Navy Case
Number 97188.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of
patents cited should be directed to the
Space and Naval Warfare Systems
Center, Office of Research and
Technology Applications, Code 2112,
83570 Silvergate Ave., Room 2306, San
Diego, CA 92152–5048.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Stephen H. Lieberman, Office of
Research and Technology Applications,
Space and Naval Warfare Systems
Center, Code 2112, 83570 Silvergate
Ave., Room 2306, San Diego, CA 92152–
5048, telephone 619–553–2778, e-mail:
stephen.lieberman@navy.mil.
(Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR part 404)
Dated: March 28, 2006.
Eric McDonald,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate
General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E6–4994 Filed 4–5–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Availability of GovernmentOwned Inventions; Available for
Licensing
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The inventions listed below
are assigned to the United States
Government as represented by the
Secretary of the Navy and are made
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
available for licensing by the
Department of the Navy.
U.S. Patent Number 6,958,466,
entitled ‘‘Method and System For
Detecting Targets Known Up to a
Simplex from Multi-Spectral and HyperSpectral Imagery Employing the Normal
Compositional Model’’, issue date
October 25, 2005.//U.S. Patent Number
6,948,388, entitled ‘‘Wireless Remote
Sensor’’, issue date September 27,
2005.//U.S. Patent Number 6,947,504,
entitled ‘‘Frequency Synchronizer’’,
issue date September 20, 2005.//U.S.
Patent Number 6,925,136, entitled
‘‘Simultaneous Frequency and Phase
Synchronizer’’, issue date August 2,
2005.//U.S. Patent Number 6,943,358,
entitled ‘‘Method for Developing a
Calibration Algorithm for Quantifying
the Hydrocarbon Content of Aqueous
Media’’, issue date September 13,
2005.//U.S. Patent Number 6,842,013,
entitled ‘‘Method for Making
Transmission Measurements in a DualChambered Anechoic Chamber Using
Spatial Averaging’’, issue date January
11, 2005.//U.S. Patent Number
6,822,522, entitled ‘‘Method and
Apparatus for an Improved Nonlinear
Oscillator’’, issue date November 23,
2004.//U.S. Patent Number 6,802,132,
entitled ‘‘Electrolytic Tilt Sensor and
Method for Manufacturing Same’’, issue
date October 12, 2004.//U.S. Patent
Number 6,784,670, entitled ‘‘Dual
Chambered Anechoic Chamber’’, issue
date August 31, 2004.//U.S. Patent
Number 6,782,063, entitled ‘‘Automatic
Gain Control’’, issue date August 24,
2004.//U.S. Patent Number 6,753,994,
entitled ‘‘Spatially Conformable
Tunable Filter’’, issue date June 22,
2004.//U.S. Patent Number 6,727,941,
entitled ‘‘Universal Digital Camera
Controller with Automatic Iris Tuning’’,
issue date April 27, 2004.//U.S. Patent
Number 6,710,737, entitled ‘‘Calibrator
for Radar Target Simulator’’, issue date
March 23, 2004.//U.S. Patent Number
6,671,304, entitled ‘‘AmplitudeModulated Laser for High-Bandwidth
Communications Systems’’, issue date
December 30, 2003.//U.S. Patent
Number 6,661,566, entitled ‘‘Method
and Optical Switch for Altering an
Electromagnetic Energy Wave in
Response to Acceleration Forces’’, issue
date December 9, 2003.//U.S. Patent
Number 6,631,156, entitled ‘‘Digital
Data Communications System’’, issue
date October 7, 2003.//U.S. Patent
Number 6,625,896, entitled ‘‘Electrolytic
Tilt Sensor and Method for
Manufacturing Same’’, issue date
September 30, 2003.//U.S. Patent
Number 6,622,092, entitled ‘‘Predictor
for Optimal Broadband Impedance
E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM
06APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 66 (Thursday, April 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17456-17458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4904]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army
Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental
Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for a Permit
Application for the Berths 136-147 Terminal Improvement Project, Also
Known as the TraPac Container Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, Los
Angeles County, CA
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Los Angeles District
in conjunction with the Los Angeles Harbor Department (Port) is
examining the feasibility of waterside, terminal and transportation
improvements at Berths 136-147 in the Port of Los Angeles. The Corps is
considering the Port's application for a Department of the Army permit
under Clean Water Act section 404 and River and Harbor Act section 10
to conduct dredge and fill activities and construct one new wharf
approximately 705 feet and seismically upgrade two wharves
approximately 3,022 feet in length associated with the proposed
project.
Major project elements to be covered in the Draft EIS/EIR include:
wharf construction and landside improvements. The landside developments
will include expansion, redevelopment and construction of marine
terminal facilities, and transportation infrastructure improvements
including construction of grade separations, and potential realignment
of road and railways.
The primary Federal involvement is the discharge of dredge and/or
fill materials within waters of the United States, work (e.g. dredging)
and structures in or affecting navigable waters of the United States,
and potential impacts on the human environment from such activities.
Therefore, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), the Corps is requiring the preparation of an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) prior to rendering a final decision on the
Port's permit application. The Corps may ultimately make a
determination to permit or deny the above project or permit or deny
modified versions of the above project.
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the
Port will serve as Lead Agency for the Preparation of an Environmental
Impact
[[Page 17457]]
Report (EIR). The Corps and the Port have agreed to jointly prepare a
Draft EIS/EIR for the improvements at Berth 136-147 in order to
optimize efficiency and avoid duplication. The Draft EIS/EIR is
intended to be sufficient in scope to address both the Federal and the
state and local requirements and environmental issues concerning the
proposed activities and permit approvals.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and Draft EIS/EIR can be answered by Dr. Joshua Burnam, Corps Project
Manager, at (213) 452-3294. Comments shall be addressed to: U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Branch. Attn: File
Number 2003-0-1142-JLB, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, CA 90053-2325,
and Dr. Ralph Appy, Director of Environmental Management, Port of Los
Angeles, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90731.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Project Site and Background Information. The proposed project is
located in the northwestern portion of the Port of Los Angeles,
adjacent to the San Pedro District of the City of Los Angeles, CA. The
proposed project involves dredge and fill operations, new wharf
construction, coupled with terminal expansion on adjacent areas of
existing land, and improvement of transportation infrastructure at and
adjacent to Berths 136-147.
The project's overall goals are to upgrade the container cargo
handling efficiency at the Berths 136-147 Terminal, increase its cargo
handling capacity, and to improve transportation infrastructure in
order to accommodate forecasted and planned increases in the volume of
containerized goods shipped through the Port. In order to meet these
goals, the following objectives must be met:
Establish needed container facilities that would maximize
the use of existing waterways and integrate into the Port's overall
utilization of available shoreline, while maintaining opportunities for
the future integration with adjacent terminals;
Construct sufficient container berthing and infrastructure
capacity to accommodate foreseeable increases in containerized cargo
volumes entering the Port;
Create sufficient backland area for optimal container
terminal operations including, storage, transport, and on/offloading of
container ships in a safe and efficient manner;
Provide access to rail and truck infrastructure locations
in order to minimize surface transportation congestion or delays and
promote transport to both local and distant cargo destinations; and
Provide needed container terminal accessory buildings and
structures to support containerized cargo handling requirements.
2. Changes Since the October 19th, 2003 NOI/NOP. Since the NOI/NOP
process was completed, there have been some project changes for the
EIS/EIR. These changes are as follows:
The project was previously called Berths 136-147. It is
now identified as Berths 136-149 (Figure 1).
The size of the Terminal would increase from 176 acres to
251 acres by the year 2030 (previously, it was to increase to 244
acres). With the additional 7 acres of terminal area, there would be
some additional traffic and air quality impacts.
Projects associated with Phase I were previously to be
completed by the year 2010 and Phase II by 2025. Now Phase I projects
would be completed by 2015 and Phase II by 2030.
Harry Bridges Boulevard will only be moved 50 feet to the
north instead of 580 feet to the north. Because of this change, there
is no need to construct a noise buffer (berm) between Harry Bridges
Boulevard and ``C'' Street residents. There would now be an
approximately 25-acre landscaped area between Harry Bridges Boulevard
and ``C'' Street residents between Figueroa Street and Lagoon Avenue.
This new project component would reduce air quality, health risk,
noise, and aesthetic impacts on the adjoining Wilmington residents.
There are presently 13 cranes along Berths 136-149. Some
cranes will be replaced and there will be a net reduction of one crane
(12 total) after the proposed projects are completed. This would reduce
aesthetic impacts.
10 acres of additional backland would be created for
container terminal use by filling in the 10-acre Northwest Slip. This
project would require 1,200,000 cubic yards (cy) of fill. A new 400-
foot wharf (44,332 square feet) would be built at an adjoining new
berth created by filling the Northwest Slip. The fill slope would be
covered with 50,000 cy of rocky dike, 12,000 cy of fill would be placed
behind the dike, and 397 concrete piles would be installed.
Approximately 3,000 cy would be dredged as part of this project. This
project component is part of the total 251-acre Terminal project that
would be completed by the year 2030. This project component would have
some water quality and marine biology impacts.
Instead of constructing two grade separations at Neptune
Avenue and Avalon Boulevard as originally envisioned there would be two
other transportation projects completed. A Fries Avenue Grade
Separation (overpass over the rail tracks) would be built (not part of
the TraPac Terminal project). Most of the TraPac cargo would be moved
over this new grade separation. Also as part of the proposed project,
the ``C'' Street/Figueroa Street interchange would be redesigned to
include an elevated ramp from Harry Bridges Boulevard to the I-110
Freeway, over John S. Gibson Boulevard. An additional extension would
connect from Figueroa Street to the new elevated ramp over Harry
Bridges Boulevard. These transportation projects would reduce traffic
and air quality impacts.
Project changes are being analyzed through the Draft EIR/EIS
process and no new potentially significant impacts not previously
identified in the initial scoping notice are anticipated as a result of
the changes. For example, changes include adding 7 acres of terminal
area, which would result in some additional traffic and air quality
impacts. However, air quality and traffic were identified as
potentially significant impacts in the 2003 NOP/NOI. Therefore, air
quality and traffic impacts are being analyzed as part of the Draft
EIR/EIS. Some changes may also result in fewer impacts than anticipated
as part of the 2003 NOP/NOI. For example, eliminating the noise buffer
between Harry Bridges Boulevard and ``C'' Street and building instead a
25-acre landscaped area is anticipated to result in fewer impacts than
discussed in the NOP/NOI. All project changes will be discussed and
analyzed in the EIR/EIS.
3. Issues. There are several potential environmental issues that
will be addressed in the EIS/EIR. Additional issues may be identified
during the scoping process. Issues initially identified as potentially
significant include:
(a) Geological issues, including dredging and stabilization of fill
areas in an area of known seismic activity;
(b) Impacts to hydrology;
(c) Impacts to air quality;
(d) Impacts to traffic, including marine navigation and ground
transportation;
(e) Potential for noise impacts;
(f) Impacts to public utilities and services;
(g) Potential impacts to aesthetic resources, including light and
glare;
(h) Potential impacts on public health and safety;
(i) Cumulative impacts; and
(j) Disposal of dredged materials.
[[Page 17458]]
4. Alternatives. Alternatives initially being considered for the
proposed improvement project include the following:
(a) Alternate location(s) for the Terminal Improvements (within the
State or within the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach).
(b) Development of new landfills for a container terminal.
(c) Non-containerized use of terminal (i.e., lumber, autos).
(d) Non-shipping use i.e., park, cruise terminal, commercial
development, empty container storage, etc.
(e) No Federal action (No wharf construction or dredging--
construction of only backlands developments for Phases I and II) with
and without Harry Bridges being relocated.
(f) Larger facility (14-acre fill for more storage area).
(g) Reduce Wharf (reduced fill--reduction in rip-rap, pilings, and
dredging).
(h) Proposed project without Harry Bridges Boulevard being
relocated.
(i) No Project (no physical changes).
5. Comment Process. All comments received as part of the 2003
scoping period will remain part of the administrative record and be
addressed in the Draft EIR/EIS. A new public scoping meeting will not
be held. Written comments to the Corps and Port regarding the Project
changes will be received until April 28, 2006. Written comments should
be addressed to the address below:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory
Branch and the Los Angeles Harbor Department, c/o Dr. Joshua Burnam and
Dr. Ralph G. Appy, Attn: 2003-0-1142-JLB, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles,
California 90053-2325.
Parties interested in being added to the Corps' electronic mail
notification list for the Port of Los Angeles can register at: https://
www.spl.usace.army.mil/regulatory/register.html. This list will be used
in the future to notify the public about scheduled hearings and
availability of future public notices.
6. Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR. The joint lead agencies
expect the Draft EIS/EIR to be made available to the public in Summer
2006. A public hearing will be held during the public comment period
for the Draft EIS/EIR.
Alex C. Dornstauder,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. E6-4904 Filed 4-5-06; 8:45 am]
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