Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Willamette River Dredged Material Management Plan, Portland, OR, 63005-63006 [06-8934]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 208 / Friday, October 27, 2006 / Notices District—Mobile, P.O. Box 2288, Mobile, AL 36628–0001; telephone (251) 690–3260; or delivered by electronic facsimile at (251) 694–3815; or E-mail: joanne.u.brandt@sam.usace.army.mil. You may also request to be included on the mailing list for public distribution of meeting announcements and documents. Public Scoping Meetings. Public scoping meetings have been scheduled to allow participation from interested individuals throughout the ACF basin. Five public scoping meetings will be held on the dates and at the locations listed below. All meetings will have the same format and present the same information to the public. These meetings will be conducted as openhouse meetings with subject matter experts located at various information stations. A court reporter will be available to accept oral statements, and comment forms will be available to accept specific written comments. Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 5 p.m.– 8 p.m., Georgia Mountains Center, 301 Main Street SW., Gainesville, GA 30503, (770) 534–8420. Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 5 p.m.–8 p.m., Renaissance Waverly Hotel, 2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, (888) 391–8724. Thursday, November 30, 2006, 5 p.m.–8 p.m., Troup County Parks and Recreation Center, 1220 Lafayette Parkway, LaGrange, GA 30240, (706) 883–1670. Tuesday, December 5, 2006, 5 p.m.– 8 p.m., Dothan Conference Center, 3113 Oxmoor Industrial Boulevard, Dothan, AL 36303, (800) 453–5302. Wednesday, December 6, 2006, 5 p.m.–8 p.m., The Center for Economic and Workforce Development, Tallahassee Community College, 444 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304, (850) 201–6200. Currently Identified Environmental Issues. The EIS will address the potential for any impacts to the multiple project purposes identified for Lake Sidney Lanier/Buford Dam and downstream reservoirs along with other resource areas of interest, including hydropower, navigation, water quality, water supply, flood control, fish and wildlife conservation, endangered and threatened species, recreation, cultural resources, and socioeconomic concerns. This preliminary list could be revised according to your comments and continued coordination and analyses conducted during preparation of the EIS. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:53 Oct 26, 2006 Jkt 211001 Public Participation. Public participation throughout the NEPA process is essential. The Corps invites full public participation to promote open communication and better decision making. All persons, stakeholders, and organizations that have an interest in the interim water storage contracts, including Federal, State and local agencies and officials, appropriate Federally recognized Indian tribes, other interested parties and the public, including minority, low-income, disadvantaged individuals, are invited to participate in the NEPA process. Assistance will be provided upon request to anyone having difficulty with understanding how to participate. Public comments are welcomed anytime throughout the NEPA process. Scoping Comments. Your input and participation in the scoping process will help identify the issues that need to be evaluated in the EIS. Comments on the project may be submitted in written form or presented verbally at one of the five public scoping meetings. You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the implementation of the interim water storage contracts. By commenting, the Corps will address and consider your concerns in the EIS. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. Your comments can also address significant issues and resource areas of concern; additional stakeholders to be involved in the evaluation process; sources of pertinent information and any significant data gaps; assist in identifying and focusing the alternatives to be evaluated; defining the baseline for comparison of impacts; and appropriate methods and tools that can be used to assess impacts of the proposed action. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. The Corps encourages electronic filing of comments in response to this NOI. For information on electronically filing comments, see the instructions at https:// www.LanierEISInterimStorageContracts.org under the Comments link. The public scoping meetings (date, time, and location listed above) are designed to provide another opportunity to offer comments on the proposed action. Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend these meetings and to present comments that they believe should be addressed in the EIS. Following completion of the public scoping meetings, a report will be prepared to summarize the comments received and areas of concern identified during the scoping period. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63005 Web Page. Additional information about the project is available from the Web page https://www.LanierEISInterimStorageContracts.org. If you would also like to be included on the mailing list for public distribution of meeting announcements, newsletters and other documents, you may fill out a contact form on the Web page. Dated: October 20, 2006. Peter F. Taylor, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer. [FR Doc. 06–8936 Filed 10–26–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–CR–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Willamette River Dredged Material Management Plan, Portland, OR Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500–1508) and Public Law 102–484 Section 2834, as amended by Public Law 104–106 Section 2867, the Department of the Army hereby gives notice of intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the subject Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP). The Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be the lead agency in preparing the EIS. The EIS will consider Federal actions associated with the development of a DMMP for the Federal navigation channel in the city of Portland, Multnomah County, OR. The DMMP is a study conducted to develop a longterm (20-year) strategy for providing viable dredged material placement alternatives that would meet the needs of maintaining the Federal channel at Portland Harbor. The overall goal of the DMMP is to develop a long-term plan for continued maintenance of the federal navigation channel that supports commercial navigation within Portland Harbor and to conduct dredged material placement in the most economically and environmentally sound manner and to maximize the use of dredged material as a beneficial source. DATES: Submit comments by November 27, 2001. E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM 27OCN1 63006 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 208 / Friday, October 27, 2006 / Notices Mail comments to Ms. Carolyn Schneider, Portland District, Corps of Engineers, CENWP–PM–E, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208–2946. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Donald Erickson, Project Manager, Portland District, Corps of Engineers, telephone: (503) 808–4713, or Ms. Carolyn Schneider, Environmental Resource Specialist, Portland District, Corps of Engineers, telephone: (503) 808–4770. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal navigation channel is from Willamette River mile (WRM) 0 to 11.6. Historically, approximately 500,000 to 750,000 cubic yards of silty sand and sandy silts have been dredged from the Lower Willamette River in three to five year intervals. The Corps has not performed maintenance dredging since 1997. Presently, sediment has accumulated in the Federal navigation channel to the point that portions of the channel are less than the 40 foot depth required for safe navigation. Additional sediment accumulation could increase the potential for safety hazards and adverse economic impacts. Proposed Action: In accordance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulation 1105–2–100, a DMMP is being prepared for the Federal navigation project to ensure that maintenance dredging activities are performed in an environmentally acceptable manner, use sound engineering techniques, are economically warranted, and that sufficient disposal facilities are available for at least the next 20 years. The Lower Willamette River DMMP will focus on management of material dredged from the federal navigation channel and will take into consideration non-Federal dredging projects permitted by the Portland District. Reasonable Alternatives: The Corps will consider both dredging and nondredging measures, either separately or in combination. The EIS will evaluate alternatives that will consist of an array of disposal and beneficial use options. It is Corps of Engineers planning policy to consider all practicable and relevant alternative management procedures. Options for maintaining the Lower Willamette River Federal navigation channel that are being considered include the following: (1) Dredging and in-water placement of dredged material. Dredged material that satisfies Sediment Evaluation Framework (SEF) guidelines for unconfined aquatic disposal will be placed at in-water sites. The Corps has identified potential locations for inwater disposal of dredged material that are being assessed; (2) Dredging and jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:53 Oct 26, 2006 Jkt 211001 upland disposal of dredged material. Material that doesn’t meet the SEF guidelines for unconfined aquatic disposal will be placed upland. The Corps has identified potential locations for upland disposal of dredged material that are being assessed; (3) Beneficial uses of dredged material; (4) Nondredging channel maintenance measures. Non-dredging channel maintenance measures will be considered that reduce dredging needs. They include, but are not limited to, hydraulic control structures, sediment control structures, sediment traps, upstream erosion control measures, and changes to the operation of upstream dams; (5) ‘‘No Action’’. This alternative consists of a continuation of the current maintenance dredging at the asconstructed channel dimensions and placing dredged material at the existing sites without modification. Scoping Process: The Corps of Engineers invites affected Federal, State, and local agencies, Native American tribes, and other interested organizations and individuals to participate in the development of the EIS. The Corps of Engineers anticipates conducting a public scoping meeting for this EIS in the fall of 2006. The exact date, time, and location of this meeting have not yet been determined. This information will be publicized once the meeting arrangements have been made. The Corps will provide notice to the public of additional opportunities for public input on the EIS during review periods for the draft and final EIS. The draft EIS is currently scheduled to be available for public review in June 2007. The final EIS is currently scheduled to be available in January 2008. Thomas E. O’Donovan, Colonel, EN, Commanding. [FR Doc. 06–8934 Filed 10–26–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–AR–M ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [ER–FRL–6680–6] Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments Availability of EPA comments prepared pursuant to the Environmental Review Process (ERP), under section 309 of the Clean Air Act and Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act as amended. Requests for copies of EPA comments can be directed to the Office of Federal Activities at 202–564–7167. PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 7, 2006 (71 FR 17845). Draft EISs EIS No. 20060305, ERP No. D–GSA– B81011–VT, New U.S. Border Station and Commercial Port of Entry Route I–91 Derby Line, Design and Construction, Vermont. Summary: EPA does not object to the project as proposed, but encourages GSA to consider additional measures to reduce air pollution emissions. Rating LO. EIS No. 20060316, ERP No. D–GSA– B40096–ME, Madawaska Border Station Project, Replacement of Existing Border Station in Madawaska, International Border between United States and Canada, Aroostook County, ME. Summary: EPA does not object to the project as proposed, but encourages GSA to adopt measures to reduce air emissions. Rating LO. EIS No. 20060328, ERP No. D–NRS– B36026–MA, Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project, Restore Degraded Salt Marshes, Restore Anadromous Fish Passages, and Improve Water Quality for Shellfishing Area, Cape Cod, Barnstable County, MA. Summary: EPA does not object to the project as proposed. Rating LO. EIS No. 20060349, ERP No. D–DOE– E01016–FL, Orlando Gasification Project (DOE/EIS–0383), To Provide Cost-Shared Funding for Construction and Operation of Facilities at Orlando Utilities Commission’s Station Energy Center near Orlando, FL. Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about the proposed power plant’s potential impacts on air quality, wetlands, hazardous waste, and cumulative impacts. Evaluation of these impacts may require various forms of modeling and risk assessments. Impacts to wetlands and mitigation measures need to be discussed further in the FEIS. Rating EC1. Final EISs EIS No. 20060326, ERP No. F–BOP– B81010–NH, Berlin, Coos County, Proposed Federal Correctional Institution, Construction and Operation, City of Berlin, Coos County, NH. Summary: EPA does not object to the project as proposed, but continues to encourage the BOP to investigate whether combined heat and power E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM 27OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 208 (Friday, October 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63005-63006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8934]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Lower Willamette River Dredged Material Management Plan, Portland, OR

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) and Public 
Law 102-484 Section 2834, as amended by Public Law 104-106 Section 
2867, the Department of the Army hereby gives notice of intent to 
prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the subject 
Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP). The Portland District of the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be the lead agency in preparing the 
EIS.
    The EIS will consider Federal actions associated with the 
development of a DMMP for the Federal navigation channel in the city of 
Portland, Multnomah County, OR. The DMMP is a study conducted to 
develop a long-term (20-year) strategy for providing viable dredged 
material placement alternatives that would meet the needs of 
maintaining the Federal channel at Portland Harbor. The overall goal of 
the DMMP is to develop a long-term plan for continued maintenance of 
the federal navigation channel that supports commercial navigation 
within Portland Harbor and to conduct dredged material placement in the 
most economically and environmentally sound manner and to maximize the 
use of dredged material as a beneficial source.

DATES: Submit comments by November 27, 2001.

[[Page 63006]]


ADDRESSES: Mail comments to Ms. Carolyn Schneider, Portland District, 
Corps of Engineers, CENWP-PM-E, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Donald Erickson, Project Manager, 
Portland District, Corps of Engineers, telephone: (503) 808-4713, or 
Ms. Carolyn Schneider, Environmental Resource Specialist, Portland 
District, Corps of Engineers, telephone: (503) 808-4770.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal navigation channel is from 
Willamette River mile (WRM) 0 to 11.6. Historically, approximately 
500,000 to 750,000 cubic yards of silty sand and sandy silts have been 
dredged from the Lower Willamette River in three to five year 
intervals. The Corps has not performed maintenance dredging since 1997. 
Presently, sediment has accumulated in the Federal navigation channel 
to the point that portions of the channel are less than the 40 foot 
depth required for safe navigation. Additional sediment accumulation 
could increase the potential for safety hazards and adverse economic 
impacts.
    Proposed Action: In accordance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
Regulation 1105-2-100, a DMMP is being prepared for the Federal 
navigation project to ensure that maintenance dredging activities are 
performed in an environmentally acceptable manner, use sound 
engineering techniques, are economically warranted, and that sufficient 
disposal facilities are available for at least the next 20 years. The 
Lower Willamette River DMMP will focus on management of material 
dredged from the federal navigation channel and will take into 
consideration non-Federal dredging projects permitted by the Portland 
District.
    Reasonable Alternatives: The Corps will consider both dredging and 
non-dredging measures, either separately or in combination. The EIS 
will evaluate alternatives that will consist of an array of disposal 
and beneficial use options. It is Corps of Engineers planning policy to 
consider all practicable and relevant alternative management 
procedures. Options for maintaining the Lower Willamette River Federal 
navigation channel that are being considered include the following: (1) 
Dredging and in-water placement of dredged material. Dredged material 
that satisfies Sediment Evaluation Framework (SEF) guidelines for 
unconfined aquatic disposal will be placed at in-water sites. The Corps 
has identified potential locations for in-water disposal of dredged 
material that are being assessed; (2) Dredging and upland disposal of 
dredged material. Material that doesn't meet the SEF guidelines for 
unconfined aquatic disposal will be placed upland. The Corps has 
identified potential locations for upland disposal of dredged material 
that are being assessed; (3) Beneficial uses of dredged material; (4) 
Non-dredging channel maintenance measures. Non-dredging channel 
maintenance measures will be considered that reduce dredging needs. 
They include, but are not limited to, hydraulic control structures, 
sediment control structures, sediment traps, upstream erosion control 
measures, and changes to the operation of upstream dams; (5) ``No 
Action''. This alternative consists of a continuation of the current 
maintenance dredging at the as-constructed channel dimensions and 
placing dredged material at the existing sites without modification.
    Scoping Process: The Corps of Engineers invites affected Federal, 
State, and local agencies, Native American tribes, and other interested 
organizations and individuals to participate in the development of the 
EIS. The Corps of Engineers anticipates conducting a public scoping 
meeting for this EIS in the fall of 2006. The exact date, time, and 
location of this meeting have not yet been determined. This information 
will be publicized once the meeting arrangements have been made. The 
Corps will provide notice to the public of additional opportunities for 
public input on the EIS during review periods for the draft and final 
EIS. The draft EIS is currently scheduled to be available for public 
review in June 2007. The final EIS is currently scheduled to be 
available in January 2008.

Thomas E. O'Donovan,
Colonel, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 06-8934 Filed 10-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AR-M

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