Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties, MS, 45537-45539 [06-6794]

Download as PDF jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 9, 2006 / Notices facilities. These new facilities will be located adjacent to the existing USAMRIID facilities within the National Interagency Biodefense Campus on Area A of Fort Detrick and near the biomedical research facilities of mission partners, including the Agricultural Research Service Foreign Disease-Weed Research Unit, Department of Agriculture; the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ Integrated Research Facility, Department of Health and Human Services; and the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Department of Homeland Security. The USAMRIID facilities on Area A will be decommissioned and either demolished and/or re-used following occupancy of the new USAMRIID facilities. The construction will occur in two stages. Stage 1 will provide approximately 700,000 gross square feet (gsf) of new building space for the replacement of outdated and compressed existing facilities in order to sustain the current mission and to expand medical test and evaluation (T&E) capacity in support of immediate Department of Defense (DoD) and national demand. Stage 2 will encompass approximately 400,000 gsf of new building space for the balance of USAMRIID’s expanded mission and for additional capacity to meet intensified national requirements for medical T&E in support of biodefense research as well as to accommodate increased collaborative efforts among USAMRIID’s mission partners. In addition, approximately 200,000 gsf of the existing USAMRIID facilities may be renovated and re-used for laboratory or non-laboratory use, to be determined by evolving biodefense requirements. The significant issues analyzed in the DEIS included safety of laboratory operations and demolition of the existing biocontainment laboratories; public health and safety; handling, collection, treatment, and disposal of research wastes; analysis of other risks; and pollution prevention. Three alternatives were considered: Construction and Operation of New USAMRIID Facilities and Decommissioning and Demolition of the Existing USAMRIID Facilities on Area A of Fort Detrick, Maryland (Alternative I), Construction and Operation of New USAMRIID Facilities and Decommissioning and Partial Demolition of the Existing USAMRIID Facilities and Re-Use of the Remaining Facilities on Area A of Fort Detrick, Maryland (Alternative II), and the No Action Alternative, under which the proposed new USAMRIID facilities would not be built and operated and the VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:05 Aug 08, 2006 Jkt 208001 existing USAMRIID facilities would not be decommissioned and demolished and/or re-used. The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and the U.S. Army Garrison of Fort Detrick will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the DEIS on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Governor Thomas Johnson High School, 1501 N. Market St., Frederick, MD 21701. Dated: August 3, 2006. Addison D. Davis, IV, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and Occupational Health), OASA(I&E). [FR Doc. 06–6791 Filed 8–8–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment for an Airspace Proposal in the Savannah, GA, Hunter Army Airfield Area Department of the Army. DoD. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: This announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for an airspace proposal in the Savannah, GA, Hunter Army Airfield area. The airspace proposal is required for the establishment of Helicopter Aerial Refueling routes utilizing United States Army helicopters and United States Air Force and/or Marine Corp. airplanes to conduct air-to air refueling training. In order to use these routes on a recurring basis they are required to be published in the Department of Defense publication system therefore requiring an environmental study. The EA assesses the potential environmental impacts of all areas that underlie the flight routes. There are four routes in the proposal which will be utilized by an U.S. Army tenant unit of Hunter Army Airfield, GA. DATES: The draft EA will be available for public review from August 9, 2006 through September 8, 2006. Written comments must be received by September 8, 2006. ADDRESSES: Written comments are to be provided to Mr. Troy Wagner at United States Army Special Operations Command, Aviation Standardization Officer, ATTN: AOAO–STD, Bldg. E– 2929, Desert Storm Drive, Ft. Bragg, NC 28310 or at dennis.troy.wagner@us.army.mil. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45537 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chief Warrant Officer Four Troy Wagner, at (910) 432–7706. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. The Federal Aviation Administration is serving as a cooperating agency on the preparation of the EA. 2. The EA is available for review at the following location: Dial-Cordy and Associates, Inc. Environmental Consultants Web site at: https://www.dialcordy.com. Use the following steps to access the Ft. Campbell EA: (1) Log onto the Dial Cordy Web site at Dialcordy.com; (2) Click on ‘‘Library’’; (3) Click on ‘‘FTP Site’’; (4) Enter user name: dialcord_hunter; (5) Enter password: 040784. 3. Public coordination and communications with the State Historical Preservation Offices from the states of Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Alabama has been accomplished. Each of the states listed have reviewed the proposal and have returned correspondence stating that there will be no impacts to any historical sites during the conduct of the proposed training. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 06–6795 Filed 8–8–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties, MS Department of the Army, U.S. Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to address the potential impacts associated with actions to comprehensively address hurricane and storm damage reduction, prevention of saltwater intrusion, preservation of fish and wildlife, prevention of erosion, and other related water resource purposes in coastal Mississippi. These actions are related to the consequences of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005. The Corps will forward recommendations to Congress E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM 09AUN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 45538 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 9, 2006 / Notices authorized by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109–148) dated December 30, 2005. The EIS will be used as a basis for ensuring compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). ADDRESSES: Questions about the proposed action and the DEIS should be addressed to Dr. Susan Ivester Rees, Planning and Environmental Division, Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 2288, Mobile, AL 36628–0001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Susan Ivester Rees, (251) 694–4141 or email at susan.i.rees@sam.usace.army.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Mississippi on August 29,2005 causing catastrophic damage to lives, property, and natural resources throughout coastal Mississippi. In response, the U.S. Congress has directed the Secretary of the Army through the Corps to conduct an analysis and design for comprehensive improvements or modifications to existing improvements in the coastal area of Mississippi in the interest of hurricane and storm damage reduction, prevention of saltwater intrusion, preservation of fish and wildlife, prevention of erosion, and other related water resources purposes. Further, the Corps was directed to provide interim recommendations for near term improvements by June 30, 2006, with final recommendations provided by December 30, 2007. This activity has been named the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) and the required interim recommendations for near term improvements have been submitted through Corps Headquarters to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for submission to Congress. Environmental impacts associated with implementation of 15 identified near term improvements were addressed in an Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact was signed to Mobile District Commander, Colonel Peter F. Taylor, Jr., on June 29, 2006. 2. The EIS will address potential impacts associated with MsCIP proposed actions as part of the development of the comprehensive plan of improvements to provide increased levels of protection within the coastal area of Mississippi as directed by Congress. Alternatives to be considered in the DEIS will include a comprehensive array of measures to promote the recovery of coastal Mississippi from the hurricanes of 2005 and to provide for a reduction of future damages to the maximum extent VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:05 Aug 08, 2006 Jkt 208001 practicable. The EIS will evaluate multiple natural and engineered alternatives to provide various measures for various levels of protection for the Mississippi mainland coast. Development of this overall damage reduction system will involve identifying potential ‘‘Lines of Defense’’ moving from offshore to nearshore, shoreline, and along existing elevated features inland, to effectively reduce damage from large hurricane and storm events. This will require analysis of the barrier islands, nearshore features such as rubble and movable wall breakwaters, beachfront measures such as dunes, berms, and seawalls, coastal roadways and beach front property barriers such as elevation of roadways and property, and various other inland features such as installation of levees, elevated highway-topped levee systems, and surge protection gates, for potential inclusion in the overall damage reduction system. Additionally, consideration of ‘‘non-structural measures’’, such as development of a ‘‘Probable Maximum Hurricane Inundation Boundary’’ or other maximum event planning boundaries will serve to identify hurricane and storm damage reduction planning features. Other alternatives to be considered include restoration of storm damaged habitats such as coastal marshes, beaches, forests, oyster reefs, and submerged aquatic vegetation in Mississippi Sound; restoration of historical water flows to coastal watersheds including freshwater diversion from Louisiana; and watershed based drainage modifications for flood damage reduction. The DEIS will identify, screen, evaluate, prioritize, and ultimately optimize an array of alternatives. Combinations of the alternatives will be used to develop recommendations for cost effective measures to reduce hurricane and storm damages, interior flooding damages, and provide environmental benefits while fully considering the environmental consequences of the recommended actions. It is anticipated that alternatives will be developed during scoping and evaluated during development of the DEIS. Combinations of the alternatives will be used to maximize benefits while reducing impacts. 3. Scoping: a. The Corps invites full public participation to promote open communication on the issues surrounding the proposal. All Federal, State, and local agencies, and other persons or organizations that have an interest are urged to participate in the NEPA scoping process. In order to develop near-term recommendations for PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the interim report, the Corps met with local government officials, Federal, State, and local agencies, and interested members of the public to discuss first hand, impacts of the storm, ongoing recovery efforts, conditions on the coast, and present and future needs and opportunities for improvements. A facilitated two-step public involvement process was used that included ten workshop opportunities (2 in each coastal county and 2 web casts) held between April 7 and May 4, 2006, and a Web site was maintained as a repository of information and a vehicle to allow public input while providing public information during the project planning period. With this public input, the Corps began development of a conceptual comprehensive plan of action that will serve as the basis for development of an overall balanced natural and engineered solution for hurricane and storm damage reduction. The Corps anticipates future public meetings to gain further public input regarding information gathered from ongoing modeling efforts to collaboratively identify significant issues, associated risks, present and future needs, and opportunities in development of the comprehensive plan. A Web site will be established and used to disseminate information, receive public input, and facilitate participation by persons interested in development of the comprehensive plan including those still displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina. b. The DEIS will analyze potential social, economic, and environmental impacts and benefits associated with proposed projects and alternatives. Specifically, the following major issues will be analyzed in the DEIS: Hydrologic and hydraulic regimes, threatened and endangered species, essential fish habitat and other marine habitat, air quality, cultural resources, parks and protected lands, recreation, watersheds, wetlands, transportation systems, alternatives, secondary and cumulative impacts, socioeconomic impacts including effects on children, minorities, and economically disadvantaged groups per Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice) and Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children). c. The Corps will serve as the lead Federal agency during preparation of the DEIS. The following agencies will be invited to participate as cooperating agencies: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Department of Interior— Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Transportation—Federal Highway Administration; U.S. E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM 09AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 9, 2006 / Notices Department of Commerce—National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Department of Homeland Security— Federal Emergency Management Agency; Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and Department of Environmental Quality, and Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Participation from other agencies, interest groups, and individual citizens is being encouraged and sought. 5. The first scoping meeting is expected to be held in mid-September in Biloxi, MS. 6. It is anticipated that the DEIS will be made available for public review in April 2007. Curtis M. Flakes, Chief, Planning and Environmental Division. [FR Doc. 06–6794 Filed 8–8–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–CR–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to the Final EIS on Herbert Hoover Dike Major Rehabilitation and Evaluation Report, Reaches 2 and 3, in Palm Beach and Glades Counties, FL Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. a. The proposed action will be the selected plan described in the July 2005 SEIS with the additional action of extending construction along Reaches Two and Three of the levee. The proposed action will not affect the Regulation Schedule for Lake Okeechobee. It s expected that all construction will take place within the existing real estate footprint of the HHD. b. Alternatives to be considered separately for each reach include alternative structural modifications to the existing levee which are currently under development. c. A scoping letter will be used to invite comments on alternatives and issues from Federal, State, and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested private organizations and individuals. A scoping meeting is not anticipated. d. A public meeting will be held after release of the Draft SEIS; the exact location, date, and times will be announced in a public notice and local newspapers. e. DSEIS Preparation: The 2nd DSEIS is expected to be available for public review in the fourth quarter of CY 2006. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 06–6793 Filed 8–8–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–AJ—M jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: On July 8, 2005, the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the Major Rehabilitation actions proposed for Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD), Reach One. Herbert Hoover Dike is the levee that completely surrounds Lake Okeechobee. On September 23, 2005, a Record of Decision was signed adopting the preferred alternative as the Selected Plan for Reach One. At this time the Corps plans to extend rehabilitation along Reaches Two and Three of HHD. This stretch of HHD extends for approximately 27 miles between an area west of Belle Glade, Palm Beach County to east of Moore Haven, Glades County, FL. ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232–0019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Barbara Cintron at (904) 232–1692 or email at Barbara.b.cintron@usace.army.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:05 Aug 08, 2006 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Record of Decision for the Boston Harbor Inner Harbor Maintenance Dredging Project Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District announces its decision to maintenance dredge the following Federal navigation channels in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts: the Main Ship Channel upstream of Spectacle Island to the Inner Confluence, the upper Reserved Channel, the approach to the Navy Dry Dock, a portion of the Mystic River, and a portion of the Chelsea River (previously permitted). Maintenance dredging of the navigation channels landward of Spectacle Island is needed to remove shoals and restore the Federal navigation channels to their authorized depths. Dredged material suitable for unconfined open water disposal will be disposed at the Massachusetts Bay Disposal Site; material not suitable for PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45539 unconfined open water disposal will be disposed in confined aquatic disposal (CAD) cell(s) located within the navigation channels. Major navigation channel improvements (deepening) were made in 1999 through 2001 in the Reserved Channel, the Mystic River, Inner Confluence, and the Chelsea River. A Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared in June 1995 for this previous navigation improvement project (Boston Harbor Navigation Improvement Project— BHNIP) identified selected use of CAD cells in the Mystic River, Inner Confluence, and Chelsea River for disposal. A Supplemental Draft and Final EIS was prepared for this maintenance dredging project and built on the lessons learned from the previous improvement project. A new CAD cell for the proposed maintenance project will be constructed in the Mystic River (previously permitted) and in the Main Ship Channel just below the Inner Confluence. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Keegan, (978) 318–8087. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is authorized by the various River and Harbor Acts and Water Resources Development Acts to conduct maintenance dredging of the Federal navigation channels and anchorage areas in Boston Harbor. Alternatives Considered: The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires a discussion of alternatives to the project, including the No Action Alternative. Since a Supplemental EIS was prepared, the preferred alternative is evaluated in the context of the alternatives addressed in the EIS for the navigation improvement project, including alternatives to full maintenance dredging, dredging methods, and disposal options. Dredging—The Boston Harbor terminal operators, and shipping interests were contacted to identify the type and size of vessels currently using the navigation channels and if they were experiencing any delay or impacts associated with the navigation project. The results of the survey were used to determine if maintenance of all or just a portion of the currently authorized navigation channels in the proposed project is required. Based on the results of the survey, it was determined that shoaling in the Charles River channel does not affect any of the current operations in that channel and will not be dredged. Dredging Methods—Various types of dredging methods were considered for this project including a hydraulic dredge, a hopper dredge, and a E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM 09AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 9, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45537-45539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6794]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 
Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program, Hancock, Harrison, and 
Jackson Counties, MS

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Corps of Engineers, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), 
intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to 
address the potential impacts associated with actions to 
comprehensively address hurricane and storm damage reduction, 
prevention of saltwater intrusion, preservation of fish and wildlife, 
prevention of erosion, and other related water resource purposes in 
coastal Mississippi. These actions are related to the consequences of 
hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005. The Corps will forward 
recommendations to Congress

[[Page 45538]]

authorized by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. 
L. 109-148) dated December 30, 2005. The EIS will be used as a basis 
for ensuring compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA).

ADDRESSES: Questions about the proposed action and the DEIS should be 
addressed to Dr. Susan Ivester Rees, Planning and Environmental 
Division, Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 2288, 
Mobile, AL 36628-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Susan Ivester Rees, (251) 694-4141 
or e-mail at susan.i.rees@sam.usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Mississippi on August 29,2005 
causing catastrophic damage to lives, property, and natural resources 
throughout coastal Mississippi. In response, the U.S. Congress has 
directed the Secretary of the Army through the Corps to conduct an 
analysis and design for comprehensive improvements or modifications to 
existing improvements in the coastal area of Mississippi in the 
interest of hurricane and storm damage reduction, prevention of 
saltwater intrusion, preservation of fish and wildlife, prevention of 
erosion, and other related water resources purposes. Further, the Corps 
was directed to provide interim recommendations for near term 
improvements by June 30, 2006, with final recommendations provided by 
December 30, 2007. This activity has been named the Mississippi Coastal 
Improvements Program (MsCIP) and the required interim recommendations 
for near term improvements have been submitted through Corps 
Headquarters to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for submission to 
Congress. Environmental impacts associated with implementation of 15 
identified near term improvements were addressed in an Environmental 
Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact was signed to Mobile 
District Commander, Colonel Peter F. Taylor, Jr., on June 29, 2006.
    2. The EIS will address potential impacts associated with MsCIP 
proposed actions as part of the development of the comprehensive plan 
of improvements to provide increased levels of protection within the 
coastal area of Mississippi as directed by Congress. Alternatives to be 
considered in the DEIS will include a comprehensive array of measures 
to promote the recovery of coastal Mississippi from the hurricanes of 
2005 and to provide for a reduction of future damages to the maximum 
extent practicable. The EIS will evaluate multiple natural and 
engineered alternatives to provide various measures for various levels 
of protection for the Mississippi mainland coast. Development of this 
overall damage reduction system will involve identifying potential 
``Lines of Defense'' moving from offshore to nearshore, shoreline, and 
along existing elevated features inland, to effectively reduce damage 
from large hurricane and storm events. This will require analysis of 
the barrier islands, nearshore features such as rubble and movable wall 
breakwaters, beachfront measures such as dunes, berms, and seawalls, 
coastal roadways and beach front property barriers such as elevation of 
roadways and property, and various other inland features such as 
installation of levees, elevated highway-topped levee systems, and 
surge protection gates, for potential inclusion in the overall damage 
reduction system. Additionally, consideration of ``non-structural 
measures'', such as development of a ``Probable Maximum Hurricane 
Inundation Boundary'' or other maximum event planning boundaries will 
serve to identify hurricane and storm damage reduction planning 
features. Other alternatives to be considered include restoration of 
storm damaged habitats such as coastal marshes, beaches, forests, 
oyster reefs, and submerged aquatic vegetation in Mississippi Sound; 
restoration of historical water flows to coastal watersheds including 
freshwater diversion from Louisiana; and watershed based drainage 
modifications for flood damage reduction. The DEIS will identify, 
screen, evaluate, prioritize, and ultimately optimize an array of 
alternatives.
    Combinations of the alternatives will be used to develop 
recommendations for cost effective measures to reduce hurricane and 
storm damages, interior flooding damages, and provide environmental 
benefits while fully considering the environmental consequences of the 
recommended actions. It is anticipated that alternatives will be 
developed during scoping and evaluated during development of the DEIS. 
Combinations of the alternatives will be used to maximize benefits 
while reducing impacts.
    3. Scoping: a. The Corps invites full public participation to 
promote open communication on the issues surrounding the proposal. All 
Federal, State, and local agencies, and other persons or organizations 
that have an interest are urged to participate in the NEPA scoping 
process. In order to develop near-term recommendations for the interim 
report, the Corps met with local government officials, Federal, State, 
and local agencies, and interested members of the public to discuss 
first hand, impacts of the storm, ongoing recovery efforts, conditions 
on the coast, and present and future needs and opportunities for 
improvements. A facilitated two-step public involvement process was 
used that included ten workshop opportunities (2 in each coastal county 
and 2 web casts) held between April 7 and May 4, 2006, and a Web site 
was maintained as a repository of information and a vehicle to allow 
public input while providing public information during the project 
planning period. With this public input, the Corps began development of 
a conceptual comprehensive plan of action that will serve as the basis 
for development of an overall balanced natural and engineered solution 
for hurricane and storm damage reduction. The Corps anticipates future 
public meetings to gain further public input regarding information 
gathered from ongoing modeling efforts to collaboratively identify 
significant issues, associated risks, present and future needs, and 
opportunities in development of the comprehensive plan. A Web site will 
be established and used to disseminate information, receive public 
input, and facilitate participation by persons interested in 
development of the comprehensive plan including those still displaced 
as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
    b. The DEIS will analyze potential social, economic, and 
environmental impacts and benefits associated with proposed projects 
and alternatives. Specifically, the following major issues will be 
analyzed in the DEIS: Hydrologic and hydraulic regimes, threatened and 
endangered species, essential fish habitat and other marine habitat, 
air quality, cultural resources, parks and protected lands, recreation, 
watersheds, wetlands, transportation systems, alternatives, secondary 
and cumulative impacts, socioeconomic impacts including effects on 
children, minorities, and economically disadvantaged groups per 
Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice) and Executive Order 13045 
(Protection of Children).
    c. The Corps will serve as the lead Federal agency during 
preparation of the DEIS. The following agencies will be invited to 
participate as cooperating agencies: U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency; U.S. Department of Interior--Fish and Wildlife Service, 
National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of 
Transportation--Federal Highway Administration; U.S.

[[Page 45539]]

Department of Commerce--National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. 
Department of Homeland Security--Federal Emergency Management Agency; 
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and Department of 
Environmental Quality, and Mississippi Department of Archives and 
History. Participation from other agencies, interest groups, and 
individual citizens is being encouraged and sought.
    5. The first scoping meeting is expected to be held in mid-
September in Biloxi, MS.
    6. It is anticipated that the DEIS will be made available for 
public review in April 2007.

Curtis M. Flakes,
Chief, Planning and Environmental Division.
[FR Doc. 06-6794 Filed 8-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-CR-M
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