Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for a Permit Application for the Proposed San Pedro Waterfront Project at the Port of Los Angeles, in Los Angeles County, California, 76999-77000 [E6-21897]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 246 / Friday, December 22, 2006 / Notices exception of the rulemaking provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1). Sincerely, Philip J. Martello, Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. [FR Doc. 06–9839 Filed 12–19–06; 2:51 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report for a Permit Application for the Proposed San Pedro Waterfront Project at the Port of Los Angeles, in Los Angeles County, California U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI). jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is considering an application for Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act permits authorizing dredge and fill activities to create three new harbors (North Harbor, Downtown Harbor, and 7th Street Harbor) along the San Pedro Waterfront, construct pilesupported structures to provide additional areas for land-side use, and construct a waterfront promenade and Outer Harbor cruise ship terminal. The reason for the new NOI is the scope of the previous project, titled From Bridge to Breakwater San Pedro Waterfront and Promenade, was reduced, a new permit application was submitted, and the proposed project has been modified to focus on infrastructure improvements, cruise program expansion, and to increase public access to the waterfront. The primary Federal concern is the dredging and discharging of fill material within waters of the United States and potential significant impacts resulting from such dredging and discharges to the environment. Therefore, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Corps is requiring the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prior to consideration of any permit action. 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 of Los Angeles will serve as Lead Agency in preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for its consideration of development approvals within its VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:45 Dec 21, 2006 Jkt 211001 jurisdiction. The Corps and the Port of Los Angeles have agreed to jointly prepare a Draft EIS/EIR in order to optimize efficiency and avoid duplication. The Draft EIS/EIR is intended to be sufficient in scope to address the Federal, state, and local requirements and environmental issues concerning the proposed activities and permit approvals. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments and questions regarding scoping of the Draft EIS/EIR may be addressed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Branch, ATTN: File Number 2005–01271–SDM, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California 90053–2325, or spencer.d.macneil@usace.army.mil. Comments or questions can also be sent to Jan Green Rebstock, Port of Los Angeles, Environmental Management Division, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90731, or ceqacomments@portla.org. Dr. Spencer D. MacNeil can be reached at 805–585– 2149, and Jan Green Rebstock can be reached at 310–732–3949. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Project Site: The proposed project is located in the southern end of the City of Los Angeles along the west side of the Port of Los Angeles’ Main Channel, from the Vincent Thomas Bridge to Berths 49–50. The proposed dredge activities would take place at Berths 87–89, 86, and the foot of 7th Street. In addition, the proposed construction of a waterfront promenade would affect mudflat at Berth 78; impacts to this mudflat would be mitigated. 2. Proposed Action: The project applicant, the Port of Los Angeles, proposes to perform modifications to the existing shorefront, including water cutouts of approximately 9.21 acres to increase the net water area (up to 4.98 acres) to provide for a variety of waterfront uses, including berthing for visiting tall ships, leisure craft, tugboats, and other recreational, commercial, and port-related uses, without impeding the public’s right to free navigation; and utilize and increase the value of deep water in the Outer Harbor and Main Channel to accommodate existing and projected growth in the cruise ship industry. Specifically, the proposed action includes approximately 463,000 square feet (sf) and 808,000 cubic yards (cy) of excavation and dredging (of which approximately 401,000 sf and 605,000 cy of new water area and volume will be added below the mean high tide line), with approximately 70,000 sf of rock slope protection. The project would also involve installation of 618 new piles and 910 linear feet of PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76999 sheet pile bulkheads, and construction of approximately 211,000 square feet of new wharf structures, decks, piers, and floating docks. Additionally, the project would remove or demolish approximately 990 linear feet of existing retention dikes (or bulkheads) and approximately 96,800 square feet (2.22 acres) of wharf structures, decks, piers, and docks. In total, the proposed action would create or uncover approximately 497,800 sf (11.43 acres) of open water, and cover approximately 281,000 sf (6.45 acres) of existing water, for a net increase of approximately 216,800 sf (4.98 acres) of open water area within the harbor. Due to the creation of the new harbors, the project is anticipated to create a total of approximately 808,000 cubic yards of dredge material. Disposal of clean dredge material is planned for LA–2 or LA–3 offshore disposal, with upland disposal of contaminated sediments. Ocean disposal would also require authorization pursuant to Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. Should other approved in-harbor disposal sites become available, they will also be considered. 3. Issues: There are several potential environmental issues that will be addressed in the Draft EIS/EIR. Additional issues may be identified during the scoping process. Issues initially identified as potentially significant include: 1. Aesthetic and visual impacts from construction and operation; 2. Air quality impacts from construction, operation, increased vehicle and cruise ship emissions, and contributions to global warming and greenhouse gases; 3. Biological impacts to marine and terrestrial plants and wildlife; 4. Cultural resources, both historic buildings and structures and historic and prehistoric archaeology; 5. Geological issues, including dredging and stabilization of fill areas in an area of known seismic activity; 6. Hazards and hazardous materials related to existing and former activities that have contaminated soil and groundwater in the Port, or pose hazardous risks related to ongoing operations, and hazards and risk of upset due to terrorism; 7. Hydrology and water quality from disturbance of sediment, increased cruise operations, and runoff from development; 8. Noise from construction, existing and future operations, and increased traffic; E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 77000 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 246 / Friday, December 22, 2006 / Notices 9. Public services related to provision of fire, police, emergency response, and other public service agencies; 10. Recreation related to impacting existing recreation, and the beneficial impact of providing new recreational opportunities; 11. Traffic and transportation, including marine navigation and ground transportation; 12. Utilities and services as a result of an increased demand for such services; and 13. Cumulative impacts from past, present, and foreseeable future projects. 4. Alternatives: Several alternatives are being considered for the proposed action. The Draft EIS/EIR will include a coequal analysis of the project alternatives considered. Alternatives being considered for the proposed project include an alternative development scenario, which includes one proposed cruise ship berth in the Outer Harbor, modifications to parking areas and transportation corridors, and optional locations for the Red Car Museum and maintenance facility; a No Project/No Action Alternative that would not implement any of the project elements; and a No Federal Action Baseline Alternative that would involve building the project without the water cuts and construction of the Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal, which require Corps permits. These alternatives will be further formulated and developed during the scoping process. Additional alternatives that may be developed during scoping will also be considered in the Draft EIS/EIR. 5. Scoping Process: A Notice of Intent for the original project design, titled From Bridge to Breakwater San Pedro Waterfront and Promenade, was published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2005. Three public meetings were held to obtain public comments. The Corps permit application reflecting the new project design has since been submitted. A new public meeting will be held to receive public comment and assess public concerns regarding the appropriate scope and preparation of the Draft EIS/EIR for the modified project. Participation in the public meeting by federal, state, and local agencies and other interested organizations and persons is encouraged. The Corps of Engineers will also be consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the National Marine Fisheries Service under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Additionally, the EIS/EIR will assess the VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:45 Dec 21, 2006 Jkt 211001 consistency of the proposed action with the Coastal Zone Management Act and potential water quality impacts pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The public scoping meeting for the NOP/NOI will be held on January 23, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Pedro, located at 601 South Palos Verdes Street. Written comments will be accepted until February 28, 2007. 6. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS/EIR is expected to be published and circulated in late Fall 2007, and a public meeting will be held after its publication. Dated: December 13, 2006. David J. Castanon, Chief, Regulatory Branch, Corps of Engineers. [FR Doc. E6–21897 Filed 12–21–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–KF–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Postsecondary Education; Overview Information; Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education—Special Focus Competition: Program for North American Mobility in Higher Education Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.116N DATES: Applications Available: December 22, 2006. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 13, 2007. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 14, 2007. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education (IHEs) or combinations of IHEs and other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies. Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested $21,989,000 for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education for FY 2007, of which we intend to use an estimated $300,000 for this competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. Estimated Range of Awards: $25,000– 30,000 for the first year only. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $30,000 for the first year only. $200,000 for four-year duration of grant. Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $215,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Assistant PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Secretary for Postsecondary Education may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register. Estimated Number of Awards: 10. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to 48 months. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description Purpose of Program: To provide grants or enter into cooperative agreements to improve postsecondary education opportunities by focusing on problem areas or improvement approaches in postsecondary education. Priority: Under this competition, we are particularly interested in applications that address the following priority. Invitational Priority: For FY 2007 this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications. This priority is designed to support the formation of educational consortia of American, Canadian, and Mexican institutions to encourage cooperation in the coordination of curricula, the exchange of students, and the opening of educational opportunities among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The invitational priority is issued in cooperation with Canada and Mexico. These awards support only the participation of U.S. institutions and students in these consortia of American, Canadian, and Mexican institutions. Canadian and Mexican institutions participating in any consortium proposal responding to the invitational priority may apply, respectively, to Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) or the Mexican Secretariat for Public Education (SEP), for additional funding under separate but parallel Canadian and Mexican competitions. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1138– 1138d. Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. II. Award Information Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested $21,989,000 for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education for FY 2007, of which we E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 246 (Friday, December 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76999-77000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21897]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report for a Permit Application for the 
Proposed San Pedro Waterfront Project at the Port of Los Angeles, in 
Los Angeles County, California

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI).

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is considering an 
application for Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of 
the Rivers and Harbors Act permits authorizing dredge and fill 
activities to create three new harbors (North Harbor, Downtown Harbor, 
and 7th Street Harbor) along the San Pedro Waterfront, construct pile-
supported structures to provide additional areas for land-side use, and 
construct a waterfront promenade and Outer Harbor cruise ship terminal. 
The reason for the new NOI is the scope of the previous project, titled 
From Bridge to Breakwater San Pedro Waterfront and Promenade, was 
reduced, a new permit application was submitted, and the proposed 
project has been modified to focus on infrastructure improvements, 
cruise program expansion, and to increase public access to the 
waterfront.
    The primary Federal concern is the dredging and discharging of fill 
material within waters of the United States and potential significant 
impacts resulting from such dredging and discharges to the environment. 
Therefore, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), the Corps is requiring the preparation of an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) prior to consideration of any permit action. 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 of Los Angeles will serve as Lead Agency in preparing an 
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for its consideration of development 
approvals within its jurisdiction. The Corps and the Port of Los 
Angeles have agreed to jointly prepare a Draft EIS/EIR in order to 
optimize efficiency and avoid duplication. The Draft EIS/EIR is 
intended to be sufficient in scope to address the Federal, state, and 
local requirements and environmental issues concerning the proposed 
activities and permit approvals.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments and questions regarding 
scoping of the Draft EIS/EIR may be addressed to: U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Branch, ATTN: File Number 
2005-01271-SDM, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California 90053-2325, or 
spencer.d.macneil@usace.army.mil. Comments or questions can also be 
sent to Jan Green Rebstock, Port of Los Angeles, Environmental 
Management Division, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90731, or 
ceqacomments@portla.org. Dr. Spencer D. MacNeil can be reached at 805-
585-2149, and Jan Green Rebstock can be reached at 310-732-3949.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Project Site: The proposed project is 
located in the southern end of the City of Los Angeles along the west 
side of the Port of Los Angeles' Main Channel, from the Vincent Thomas 
Bridge to Berths 49-50. The proposed dredge activities would take place 
at Berths 87-89, 86, and the foot of 7th Street. In addition, the 
proposed construction of a waterfront promenade would affect mudflat at 
Berth 78; impacts to this mudflat would be mitigated.
    2. Proposed Action: The project applicant, the Port of Los Angeles, 
proposes to perform modifications to the existing shorefront, including 
water cutouts of approximately 9.21 acres to increase the net water 
area (up to 4.98 acres) to provide for a variety of waterfront uses, 
including berthing for visiting tall ships, leisure craft, tugboats, 
and other recreational, commercial, and port-related uses, without 
impeding the public's right to free navigation; and utilize and 
increase the value of deep water in the Outer Harbor and Main Channel 
to accommodate existing and projected growth in the cruise ship 
industry. Specifically, the proposed action includes approximately 
463,000 square feet (sf) and 808,000 cubic yards (cy) of excavation and 
dredging (of which approximately 401,000 sf and 605,000 cy of new water 
area and volume will be added below the mean high tide line), with 
approximately 70,000 sf of rock slope protection. The project would 
also involve installation of 618 new piles and 910 linear feet of sheet 
pile bulkheads, and construction of approximately 211,000 square feet 
of new wharf structures, decks, piers, and floating docks. 
Additionally, the project would remove or demolish approximately 990 
linear feet of existing retention dikes (or bulkheads) and 
approximately 96,800 square feet (2.22 acres) of wharf structures, 
decks, piers, and docks. In total, the proposed action would create or 
uncover approximately 497,800 sf (11.43 acres) of open water, and cover 
approximately 281,000 sf (6.45 acres) of existing water, for a net 
increase of approximately 216,800 sf (4.98 acres) of open water area 
within the harbor.
    Due to the creation of the new harbors, the project is anticipated 
to create a total of approximately 808,000 cubic yards of dredge 
material. Disposal of clean dredge material is planned for LA-2 or LA-3 
offshore disposal, with upland disposal of contaminated sediments. 
Ocean disposal would also require authorization pursuant to Section 103 
of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. Should other 
approved in-harbor disposal sites become available, they will also be 
considered.
    3. Issues: There are several potential environmental issues that 
will be addressed in the Draft EIS/EIR. Additional issues may be 
identified during the scoping process. Issues initially identified as 
potentially significant include:
    1. Aesthetic and visual impacts from construction and operation;
    2. Air quality impacts from construction, operation, increased 
vehicle and cruise ship emissions, and contributions to global warming 
and greenhouse gases;
    3. Biological impacts to marine and terrestrial plants and 
wildlife;
    4. Cultural resources, both historic buildings and structures and 
historic and prehistoric archaeology;
    5. Geological issues, including dredging and stabilization of fill 
areas in an area of known seismic activity;
    6. Hazards and hazardous materials related to existing and former 
activities that have contaminated soil and groundwater in the Port, or 
pose hazardous risks related to ongoing operations, and hazards and 
risk of upset due to terrorism;
    7. Hydrology and water quality from disturbance of sediment, 
increased cruise operations, and runoff from development;
    8. Noise from construction, existing and future operations, and 
increased traffic;

[[Page 77000]]

    9. Public services related to provision of fire, police, emergency 
response, and other public service agencies;
    10. Recreation related to impacting existing recreation, and the 
beneficial impact of providing new recreational opportunities;
    11. Traffic and transportation, including marine navigation and 
ground transportation;
    12. Utilities and services as a result of an increased demand for 
such services; and
    13. Cumulative impacts from past, present, and foreseeable future 
projects.
    4. Alternatives: Several alternatives are being considered for the 
proposed action. The Draft EIS/EIR will include a coequal analysis of 
the project alternatives considered. Alternatives being considered for 
the proposed project include an alternative development scenario, which 
includes one proposed cruise ship berth in the Outer Harbor, 
modifications to parking areas and transportation corridors, and 
optional locations for the Red Car Museum and maintenance facility; a 
No Project/No Action Alternative that would not implement any of the 
project elements; and a No Federal Action Baseline Alternative that 
would involve building the project without the water cuts and 
construction of the Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal, which require Corps 
permits. These alternatives will be further formulated and developed 
during the scoping process. Additional alternatives that may be 
developed during scoping will also be considered in the Draft EIS/EIR.
    5. Scoping Process: A Notice of Intent for the original project 
design, titled From Bridge to Breakwater San Pedro Waterfront and 
Promenade, was published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2005. 
Three public meetings were held to obtain public comments. The Corps 
permit application reflecting the new project design has since been 
submitted. A new public meeting will be held to receive public comment 
and assess public concerns regarding the appropriate scope and 
preparation of the Draft EIS/EIR for the modified project. 
Participation in the public meeting by federal, state, and local 
agencies and other interested organizations and persons is encouraged.
    The Corps of Engineers will also be consulting with the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act and Fish and 
Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the National Marine Fisheries 
Service under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Additionally, the EIS/EIR will assess the consistency of the 
proposed action with the Coastal Zone Management Act and potential 
water quality impacts pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. 
The public scoping meeting for the NOP/NOI will be held on January 23, 
2007 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Pedro, located at 601 South Palos 
Verdes Street. Written comments will be accepted until February 28, 
2007.
    6. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS/EIR is expected to 
be published and circulated in late Fall 2007, and a public meeting 
will be held after its publication.

    Dated: December 13, 2006.
David J. Castanon,
Chief, Regulatory Branch, Corps of Engineers.
 [FR Doc. E6-21897 Filed 12-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-KF-P
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