Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Development of an Inlet Management Plan That Includes the Repositioning and Realignment of the Main Ebb Channel of Rich Inlet and To Use the Material To Nourish Figure Eight Island, North of Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC, 8359-8361 [07-848]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 37 / Monday, February 26, 2007 / Notices
some water intakes and boat ramps may
need to be extended for safe operation.
3. Though not expected, the Corps
recognizes that if seepage conditions
worsen, or new information determines
that the lake elevations should be
significantly changed to ensure the
public’s health, safety, and welfare; then
the following resources could be
significantly impacted:
(1) The cold-water fisheries both in
the lake and tailwater;
(2) Water quality throughout the
Caney Fork River and downstream in
the Cumberland River;
(3) Federally listed threatened and
endangered species;
(4) Designated uses of the waterway
including fish and aquatic life, livestock
watering and wildlife, irrigation;
(5) And economics including electric
power production, municipal and
industrial water supply, recreation,
navigation, flood damage reduction, and
disruption to communities, jobs, and
other related factors.
4. Current Actions to Reduce Risk.
Several actions have already been taken
to reduce the risk. Prior to 2005, spring
rains were captured in the reservoir to
maximize downstream flood protection
and hydropower generation. Beginning
in March 2005, the pool was managed
more aggressively to reduce inflow
peaks and adhere more closely to the
prescribed guide curves. In 2006,
continuous surveillance was initiated at
the dam. This involves providing
patrols to monitor the dam, known
seepage and trouble spots, and
downstream areas. Currently, the Corps
is conducting exploratory drilling to
assess the limestone rock condition and
key access points for future grouting
activities. Additional coordination and
exercises have been held with state and
local emergency management agencies.
These agencies will be provided flood
inundation maps to help coordinate
emergency evacuation planning. The
Corps has improved its emergency
notification procedures, increased
instrumentation in, on, and around the
dam, and conducted numerous public
meetings to advise the public of
problems with the dam.
5. A DEIS will be undertaken to
review current actions taken and to
consider other possible alternatives to
reduce stress on the dam.
6. This notice serves to solicit
comments from the public; Federal,
State and local agencies and officials;
Indian Tribes; and other interested
parties in order to consider and evaluate
impacts of these proposed activities.
Any comments received by the agency
will be considered in determining future
operations. In the decision-making
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16:03 Feb 23, 2007
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process, comments are used to assess
impacts on public health and safety,
endangered species, historic properties,
water quality, water supply and
conservation, economics, aesthetics,
wetlands, flood hazards, floodplain
values, land use, navigation, shore
erosion and accretion, recreation, energy
needs, food and fiber production,
mineral needs, considerations of
property ownership, general
environmental effects, and in general,
the needs and welfare of the people.
7. Activities proposed that may
require a review under the guidelines
promulgated by the Administrator,
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), under authority of Section
404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act (40
CFR part 230) include fill placement for
water intake extensions, boat ramp
extensions, and other mitigation actions.
8. Other Federal, State, and local
approvals that may be required for
proposed work are as follows:
a. Section 401 water quality
certification from the Tennessee
Department of Environment and
Conservation.
b. Coordination with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service for the Endangered
Species Act and Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act.
c. Coordination with the Tennessee
Wildlife Resources Agency.
d. Coordination with the State
Historic Preservation Officer and
President’s Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation.
9. Significant issues to be analyzed in
the DEIS include impacts to fisheries,
tailwater mussel resources, water
quality, flood control, recreation,
navigation, water supply, electric power
production, economics, and community
development. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service has agreed to be a
Cooperating Agency on the DEIS. A
DEIS should be available in June 2007.
10. Public Meetings: At present, no
public meetings have been scheduled to
scope for potential issues to be
evaluated in the DEIS. Requests for
public meetings should be directed to
Mr. William Peoples, Chief, Public
Affairs Office, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Nashville District, Nashville,
TN, 37202–1070. Mr. Peoples may be
reached by telephone at (615) 736–7834.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 07–853 Filed 2–23–07; 8:45 am]
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8359
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) for the Development of an Inlet
Management Plan That Includes the
Repositioning and Realignment of the
Main Ebb Channel of Rich Inlet and To
Use the Material To Nourish Figure
Eight Island, North of Wilmington, New
Hanover County, NC
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (COE), Wilmington District,
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office has
received a request for Department of the
Army authorization, pursuant to Section
404 of the Clean Water Act and Section
10 of the Rivers and Harbor Act, from
Figure ‘‘8’’ Beach Homeowners
Association to develop a management
plan for Rich Inlet that would mitigate
chronic erosion on the northern portion
of Figure Eight Island so as to preserve
the integrity of its infrastructure,
provide protection to existing
development, and ensure the continued
use of the oceanfront beach along the
northernmost three miles of its
oceanfront shoreline. Figure Eight
Island is an unincorporated privately
developed island located on the
southeast coast of North Carolina,
approximately eight miles north of
Wilmington. The island is bordered to
the south by Mason Inlet and
Wrightsville Beach; and to the north by
Rich Inlet and Lea-Hutaff Island, an
undeveloped, privately-owned island.
The inlet management plan would
involve the repositioning and
realignment of the main ebb channel of
Rich Inlet to a location closer to the
north end of Figure Eight Island. The
intended alignment is to be essentially
perpendicular to the oceanfront
shorelines of the adjacent islands. The
new channel position would be
periodically maintained with
maintenance episodes dictated by
natural shifts in the channel position
that produce unfavorable shoreline
responses on the north end of Figure
Eight Island. While the main focus of
the project is to relocate the main ebb
bar channel, consideration will also be
given to possible alterations in Nixon
Channel and Green Channel to
determine if such modification would
enhance the stability of the new
channel. Nixon Channel meanders along
a southwesterly path on the landward
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 37 / Monday, February 26, 2007 / Notices
side of the north end of Figure Eight
Island; connecting to the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) at a
point approximately two miles west of
the Rich Inlet throat. Green Channel
meanders to the northeast on the
landward side of Lea-Hutaff Island and
intersects with the AIWW
approximately 1.75 miles north of the
Rich Inlet throat.
Material dredged from the inlet and
channels will be placed along the
central and northern portions of Figure
Eight Island and, if needed, along
portions of Lea-Hutaff Island. The
objective of the placement of beach fill
along the Figure Eight Island’s shoreline
is to keep the design fill density less
than 50 cubic yards/foot, to avoid the
placement of a permanent static
vegetation line. This beach fill would be
maintained through a program of
periodic beach nourishment events with
the material extracted from the dredging
of Rich Inlet to maintain the inlet in an
optimum location.
DATES: A public scoping meeting for the
Draft EIS will be held at Eaton
Elementary School, located at 6701
Gordon Road, on March 1, 2007 at 6
p.m. Written comments will be received
until March 29, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Copies of comments and
questions regarding scoping for the Draft
EIS may be addressed to: U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District,
Regulatory Division. ATTN: File
Number 2006–41158–067, Post Office
Box 1890, Wilmington, NC 28402–1890.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action
and DEIS can be directed to Mr. Mickey
Sugg, Wilmington Regulatory Field
Office, telephone: (910) 251–4811.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Project Description. The Figure
Eight Beach Homeowners Association
proposes to develop an inlet
management plan for Rich Inlet that will
produce semi-permanent positive
shoreline impacts on the extreme north
end of Figure Eight Island. Through a
variety of investigations, it has been
determined that chronic erosion
problems along the northern sections of
Figure Eight Island have been directly
linked to changes in the orientation and
position of the main ebb channel
through Rich Inlet. When the main ebb
channel of the inlet is oriented toward
the southeast or in the direction of
Figure Eight Island, and positioned
close to the north end of the island, the
shoreline immediately south of the inlet
tends to accrete. The accretion is
associated with the wave sheltering
(‘‘breakwater effect’’) provided by the
south side of the ebb tide delta which
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Jkt 211001
also moves with the channel. During
periods in which the main bar channel
migrates to the north toward Lea-Hutaff
Island and is oriented in a southeasterly
direction, the north end of Figure Eight
Island erodes. The northward movement
of the main ebb channel is accompanied
by the northward shift of the south side
of the ebb tide delta away from the
north end of Figure Eight Island, thus
removing the ‘‘breakwater effect’’
afforded by the south side of the ebb
tide delta.
A geomorphic analysis of Rich Inlet
will be performed utilizing historical
aerial photographs of Rich Inlet and the
adjacent shorelines. The geomorphic
analysis will be used to develop
alternative channel positions and
alignments that will assist in
determining the desired changes on the
north end of Figure Eight Island. The
analysis will also assist in identifying
any positive and/or negative impacts
associated with Lea-Hutaff Island. The
position and alignment of the main ebb
channel design and design alternatives
will be evaluated to determine the
potential effects on the adjacent
shorelines and natural resources located
within the study area.
2. Proposed Action. The scope of
activities for the formulation of the
management plan for Rich Inlet will
include the following engineering and
geological investigations: (1) Detailed
geomorphic studies of the inlet and its
impacts on the shorelines of Figure
Eight Island and Lea-Hataff Island; (2)
numerical model simulations of various
channel alternatives including possible
modifications of Nixon and Green
channels; (3) geotechnical investigations
to determine sediment quality in the
inlet and connecting channels; (4)
compatibility analysis of the inlet
material with the native beach material;
and (5) and analysis of the physical
impacts of the project on the inlet
complex (including the adjacent
marshes and connecting channels) and
on Figure Eight Island and Lea-Hutaff
Island.
The Figure Eight Island beach fill
design will consist of the disposal
material from Rich Inlet channel along
the island shoreline in a general
template of a horizontal berm
constructed to an elevation of +6.0 feet
NAVD (National Geodetic Vertical
Datum) with a 1V:15H seaward slope.
The width of the berm, which would
begin near the seaward toe of the
existing dune system, will depend on
the volume of material removed from
Rich Inlet to construct the new channel
and the slope the material assumed
during placement. Another design
objective is to keep the design fill
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density less than 50 cubic yards/foot, to
avoid the placement of a permanent
static vegetation line. The volume of
material that would be removed to
construct the new channel will depend
on the final design of the channel but
could range between 500,000 cubic
yards and 2,000,000 cubic yards. Some
of the channel material may be used to
construct or maintain the dune system
on portions of Figure Eight Island.
Existing profiles will be analyzed to
identify the range of natural beach and
dune elevations, widths, and slopes.
The beach fill design will include beach
fill construction templates and
equilibrium cross-sections to estimate
the seaward limit of cross-shore
spreading over the project life and the
reduction in beach width due to
changes in profile shape following
construction.
Beach planform performance will be
evaluated based on the numerical
modeling for the proposed projects. The
numerical model evaluation of various
channel alternatives will employ a
process-based numerical model known
as Delft3D developed by WL Delft
Hydraulics (WL Delft Hydraulics, 2005).
Delft3D is an advanced 2D/3D
hydrodynamic model that can simulate
water level changes, currents, wave
transformation, sediment transport, and
bathymetric (morphological) changes in
coastal environments. The model
evaluations will consider short-term
changes (i.e., tidal cycles and storms) to
the inlet’s flow pattern and morphology;
as well as long-term (one to five years)
changes in flow patterns and inlet
morphology associated with various
inlet channel alternatives. The model
simulations will also be used to evaluate
the importance of modifications of
Nixon and/or Green Channels on the
overall stability and associated impacts
of the new channel.
Comprehensive geotechnical
investigations of the Rich Inlet system
including the inlet throat, flood tidal
delta, ebb tidal delta, and feeder
channels Nixon and Green Channel will
be used to identify and map sand
quality and quantity to be placed on the
shoreline of Figure Eight Island or
elsewhere as the study dictates. The
proposed sand search will be completed
in two phases: (1) Research and
planning, and (2) jet probes and
vibrance collection and analysis. Sand
resources in the study area will be
evaluated for compatibility with native
beach sand. This evaluation is necessary
to determine the potential performance
of sand on the beach since the
performance is highly dependent on
similar sediment characteristics
including mean grain size, sorting, and
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composition of borrow sands and native
sands.
The research and planning phase
includes a comprehensive analysis of
historical geophysical data,
hydrographic survey data, and aerial
photographs of the inlet to determine
potential channel shall lag deposit sites
and historic preferred channel
alignment. The jet probe survey will
provide preliminary qualitative
information of the sediment contained
in the feeder channels and the ebb tide
delta of Rich inlet. Areas suspected of
containing the best quality and quantity
of sand resources within the preferred
channel realignment corridor will be
targeted for vibracore investigation.
A magnetometer survey was
performed on September 3, 2006 on the
wreck site of the Wild Dayrell. The Wild
Dayrell is a side-wheel steamer which
ran aground near in the Rich Inlet
complex on February 3, 1864. The
location of the Wild Dayrell and its
debris field will play a major role in
options associated with the location of
the new inlet channel. In addition, a
cultural resource study of the final
borrow area and channel design will be
performed using a magnetometer survey
controlled by differential global
positioning. Cartographic and historical
research will be conducted to collect
available historical data.
Natural resource studies and
investigations which may be conducted
in support of the plan formulation might
include: (1) Identification and biological
characterization of estuarine habitat
types (salt march, shelfish, submerged
aquatic vegetation) in a defined project
area using aerial mapping and/or
groundtruth investigations; (2) preproject monitoring of threatened and
endangered species and their associated
habitats as determined through
coordination with project stakeholders;
and (3) development and/or
implementation of project monitoring
and mitigation plans based on the
project impact assessment.
3. Issues. There are several potential
environmental issues that will be
addressed in the EIS. Additional issues
may be identified during the scoping
process. Issues initially identified as
potentially significant include:
a. Potential impacts to marine
biological resources (benthic organisms,
passageway for fish and other marine
life) and Essential Fish Habitat,
particularly within Green Channel.
b. Potential impacts to threatened and
endangered marine mammals, birds,
fish, and plants.
c. Potential impacts to water quality.
d. Potential increase in erosion rates
to adjacent Lea-Hutaff.
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16:03 Feb 23, 2007
Jkt 211001
e. Potential impacts to Navigation,
commercial and recreational.
f. Potential impacts to the long-termmanagement of Rich Inlet.
g. Potential impacts to private and
public property.
h. Cumulative impacts of Inlet and
Inlet channel relocations throughout
North Carolina.
i. Cumulative impacts for using inlets
as sand source in nourishment projects.
j. Potential impacts on public health
and safety.
k. Potential impacts to recreational
and commercial fishing.
l. The compatibility of the material for
nourishment.
m. Potential impacts to cultural
resources, particularly the Wild Dayrell
shipwreck.
4. Alternatives. Several alternatives
are being considered for the proposed
project. These alternatives will be
further formulated and developed
during the scoping process, and an
appropriate range of alternatives,
including the no federal action
alternative, will be considered in the
EIS.
5. Scoping Process. A public scoping
meeting (see DATES) will be held to
receive public comment and assess
public concerns regarding the
appropriate scope and preparation of
the Draft EIS. Participation in the public
meeting by federal, state, and local
agencies and other interested
organizations and persons is
encouraged.
The COE will also be consulting with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under
the Endangered Species Act and the
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act;
with the National Marine Fisheries
Service under the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and Endangered Species Act; and
with the North Carolina State Historic
Preservation Office under the National
Historic Preservation Act. Additionally,
the EIS will assess the potential water
quality impacts pursuant to Section 401
of the Clean Water Act, and will be
coordinated with the North Carolina
Division of Coastal Management (DCM)
to determine the project’s consistency
with the Coastal Zone Management Act.
The COE will closely work with DCM
through the EIS to ensure the process
complies with all State Environmental
Policy Act (SEPA) requirements. It is the
COE and DCM’s intentions to
consolidate both NEPA and SEPA
processes to eliminate duplications.
6. Availability of the Draft EIS. The
Draft EIS is expected to be published
and circulated sometime in 2008, and a
public hearing will be held after the
publication of the Draft EIS.
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8361
Dated: February 12, 2007.
John E. Pulliam, Jr.,
Colonel, U.S. Army District Commander.
[FR Doc. 07–848 Filed 2–23–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–GN–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare Supplement III to the
Final Environmental Impact Statement,
New Orleans to Venice, LA, Hurricane
Protection Project: Incorporation of
Non-Federal Levees From Oakville to
St. Jude, Plaquemines Parish, LA
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice of Intent.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army of Corps of
Engineers, New Orleans District, is
initiating this study under the authority
of Public Law 109–234, Title II, Chapter
3, Flood Control and Coastal
Emergencies, page 38 (120 STAT.454–
455), hereinafter ‘‘4th Supplemental’’,
provides: ‘‘For an additional amount for
‘Flood Control and Coastal
Emergencies’, as authorized by section 5
of the Act of August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C.
701n), for necessary expenses relating to
the consequences of Hurricane Katrina
and other hurricanes, $3,145,024,000, to
remain available until expended:
Provided, that the Secretary of the Army
is directed to use the funds appropriated
under this heading to modify, at full
Federal expense, authorized projects in
southeast Louisiana to provide
hurricane and storm damage reduction
and flood damage reduction in the
greater New Orleans and surrounding
areas; * * * $215,000,000 shall be used
to replace or modify certain non-Federal
levees in Plaquemines Parish to
incorporate the levees into the existing
New Orleans to Venice hurricane
protection project; * * *.’’
The Flood Control and Coastal
Emergencies Section of Title II, Chapter
3 of the Joint Explanatory Statement of
the Committee of Conference, page 115,
states: ‘‘Funds totaling $3,145,024,000
are recommended to continue repairs to
flood and storm damage reduction
projects. These projects are to be funded
at full Federal expense. * * *
Additionally, the Conferees include:
* * * $215,000,000 for incorporation of
non-Federal levees on the west bank of
the Mississippi River in Plaquemines
Parish in order to provide improved
storm surge protection and to protect
evaucations routes; * * *’’
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 37 (Monday, February 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8359-8361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-848]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for the Development of an Inlet Management Plan That Includes the
Repositioning and Realignment of the Main Ebb Channel of Rich Inlet and
To Use the Material To Nourish Figure Eight Island, North of
Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), Wilmington District,
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office has received a request for
Department of the Army authorization, pursuant to Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbor Act, from
Figure ``8'' Beach Homeowners Association to develop a management plan
for Rich Inlet that would mitigate chronic erosion on the northern
portion of Figure Eight Island so as to preserve the integrity of its
infrastructure, provide protection to existing development, and ensure
the continued use of the oceanfront beach along the northernmost three
miles of its oceanfront shoreline. Figure Eight Island is an
unincorporated privately developed island located on the southeast
coast of North Carolina, approximately eight miles north of Wilmington.
The island is bordered to the south by Mason Inlet and Wrightsville
Beach; and to the north by Rich Inlet and Lea-Hutaff Island, an
undeveloped, privately-owned island.
The inlet management plan would involve the repositioning and
realignment of the main ebb channel of Rich Inlet to a location closer
to the north end of Figure Eight Island. The intended alignment is to
be essentially perpendicular to the oceanfront shorelines of the
adjacent islands. The new channel position would be periodically
maintained with maintenance episodes dictated by natural shifts in the
channel position that produce unfavorable shoreline responses on the
north end of Figure Eight Island. While the main focus of the project
is to relocate the main ebb bar channel, consideration will also be
given to possible alterations in Nixon Channel and Green Channel to
determine if such modification would enhance the stability of the new
channel. Nixon Channel meanders along a southwesterly path on the
landward
[[Page 8360]]
side of the north end of Figure Eight Island; connecting to the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) at a point approximately two
miles west of the Rich Inlet throat. Green Channel meanders to the
northeast on the landward side of Lea-Hutaff Island and intersects with
the AIWW approximately 1.75 miles north of the Rich Inlet throat.
Material dredged from the inlet and channels will be placed along
the central and northern portions of Figure Eight Island and, if
needed, along portions of Lea-Hutaff Island. The objective of the
placement of beach fill along the Figure Eight Island's shoreline is to
keep the design fill density less than 50 cubic yards/foot, to avoid
the placement of a permanent static vegetation line. This beach fill
would be maintained through a program of periodic beach nourishment
events with the material extracted from the dredging of Rich Inlet to
maintain the inlet in an optimum location.
DATES: A public scoping meeting for the Draft EIS will be held at Eaton
Elementary School, located at 6701 Gordon Road, on March 1, 2007 at 6
p.m. Written comments will be received until March 29, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Copies of comments and questions regarding scoping for the
Draft EIS may be addressed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington
District, Regulatory Division. ATTN: File Number 2006-41158-067, Post
Office Box 1890, Wilmington, NC 28402-1890.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and DEIS can be directed to Mr. Mickey Sugg, Wilmington Regulatory
Field Office, telephone: (910) 251-4811.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Project Description. The Figure Eight Beach Homeowners
Association proposes to develop an inlet management plan for Rich Inlet
that will produce semi-permanent positive shoreline impacts on the
extreme north end of Figure Eight Island. Through a variety of
investigations, it has been determined that chronic erosion problems
along the northern sections of Figure Eight Island have been directly
linked to changes in the orientation and position of the main ebb
channel through Rich Inlet. When the main ebb channel of the inlet is
oriented toward the southeast or in the direction of Figure Eight
Island, and positioned close to the north end of the island, the
shoreline immediately south of the inlet tends to accrete. The
accretion is associated with the wave sheltering (``breakwater
effect'') provided by the south side of the ebb tide delta which also
moves with the channel. During periods in which the main bar channel
migrates to the north toward Lea-Hutaff Island and is oriented in a
southeasterly direction, the north end of Figure Eight Island erodes.
The northward movement of the main ebb channel is accompanied by the
northward shift of the south side of the ebb tide delta away from the
north end of Figure Eight Island, thus removing the ``breakwater
effect'' afforded by the south side of the ebb tide delta.
A geomorphic analysis of Rich Inlet will be performed utilizing
historical aerial photographs of Rich Inlet and the adjacent
shorelines. The geomorphic analysis will be used to develop alternative
channel positions and alignments that will assist in determining the
desired changes on the north end of Figure Eight Island. The analysis
will also assist in identifying any positive and/or negative impacts
associated with Lea-Hutaff Island. The position and alignment of the
main ebb channel design and design alternatives will be evaluated to
determine the potential effects on the adjacent shorelines and natural
resources located within the study area.
2. Proposed Action. The scope of activities for the formulation of
the management plan for Rich Inlet will include the following
engineering and geological investigations: (1) Detailed geomorphic
studies of the inlet and its impacts on the shorelines of Figure Eight
Island and Lea-Hataff Island; (2) numerical model simulations of
various channel alternatives including possible modifications of Nixon
and Green channels; (3) geotechnical investigations to determine
sediment quality in the inlet and connecting channels; (4)
compatibility analysis of the inlet material with the native beach
material; and (5) and analysis of the physical impacts of the project
on the inlet complex (including the adjacent marshes and connecting
channels) and on Figure Eight Island and Lea-Hutaff Island.
The Figure Eight Island beach fill design will consist of the
disposal material from Rich Inlet channel along the island shoreline in
a general template of a horizontal berm constructed to an elevation of
+6.0 feet NAVD (National Geodetic Vertical Datum) with a 1V:15H seaward
slope. The width of the berm, which would begin near the seaward toe of
the existing dune system, will depend on the volume of material removed
from Rich Inlet to construct the new channel and the slope the material
assumed during placement. Another design objective is to keep the
design fill density less than 50 cubic yards/foot, to avoid the
placement of a permanent static vegetation line. The volume of material
that would be removed to construct the new channel will depend on the
final design of the channel but could range between 500,000 cubic yards
and 2,000,000 cubic yards. Some of the channel material may be used to
construct or maintain the dune system on portions of Figure Eight
Island. Existing profiles will be analyzed to identify the range of
natural beach and dune elevations, widths, and slopes. The beach fill
design will include beach fill construction templates and equilibrium
cross-sections to estimate the seaward limit of cross-shore spreading
over the project life and the reduction in beach width due to changes
in profile shape following construction.
Beach planform performance will be evaluated based on the numerical
modeling for the proposed projects. The numerical model evaluation of
various channel alternatives will employ a process-based numerical
model known as Delft3D developed by WL Delft Hydraulics (WL Delft
Hydraulics, 2005). Delft3D is an advanced 2D/3D hydrodynamic model that
can simulate water level changes, currents, wave transformation,
sediment transport, and bathymetric (morphological) changes in coastal
environments. The model evaluations will consider short-term changes
(i.e., tidal cycles and storms) to the inlet's flow pattern and
morphology; as well as long-term (one to five years) changes in flow
patterns and inlet morphology associated with various inlet channel
alternatives. The model simulations will also be used to evaluate the
importance of modifications of Nixon and/or Green Channels on the
overall stability and associated impacts of the new channel.
Comprehensive geotechnical investigations of the Rich Inlet system
including the inlet throat, flood tidal delta, ebb tidal delta, and
feeder channels Nixon and Green Channel will be used to identify and
map sand quality and quantity to be placed on the shoreline of Figure
Eight Island or elsewhere as the study dictates. The proposed sand
search will be completed in two phases: (1) Research and planning, and
(2) jet probes and vibrance collection and analysis. Sand resources in
the study area will be evaluated for compatibility with native beach
sand. This evaluation is necessary to determine the potential
performance of sand on the beach since the performance is highly
dependent on similar sediment characteristics including mean grain
size, sorting, and
[[Page 8361]]
composition of borrow sands and native sands.
The research and planning phase includes a comprehensive analysis
of historical geophysical data, hydrographic survey data, and aerial
photographs of the inlet to determine potential channel shall lag
deposit sites and historic preferred channel alignment. The jet probe
survey will provide preliminary qualitative information of the sediment
contained in the feeder channels and the ebb tide delta of Rich inlet.
Areas suspected of containing the best quality and quantity of sand
resources within the preferred channel realignment corridor will be
targeted for vibracore investigation.
A magnetometer survey was performed on September 3, 2006 on the
wreck site of the Wild Dayrell. The Wild Dayrell is a side-wheel
steamer which ran aground near in the Rich Inlet complex on February 3,
1864. The location of the Wild Dayrell and its debris field will play a
major role in options associated with the location of the new inlet
channel. In addition, a cultural resource study of the final borrow
area and channel design will be performed using a magnetometer survey
controlled by differential global positioning. Cartographic and
historical research will be conducted to collect available historical
data.
Natural resource studies and investigations which may be conducted
in support of the plan formulation might include: (1) Identification
and biological characterization of estuarine habitat types (salt march,
shelfish, submerged aquatic vegetation) in a defined project area using
aerial mapping and/or groundtruth investigations; (2) pre-project
monitoring of threatened and endangered species and their associated
habitats as determined through coordination with project stakeholders;
and (3) development and/or implementation of project monitoring and
mitigation plans based on the project impact assessment.
3. Issues. There are several potential environmental issues that
will be addressed in the EIS. Additional issues may be identified
during the scoping process. Issues initially identified as potentially
significant include:
a. Potential impacts to marine biological resources (benthic
organisms, passageway for fish and other marine life) and Essential
Fish Habitat, particularly within Green Channel.
b. Potential impacts to threatened and endangered marine mammals,
birds, fish, and plants.
c. Potential impacts to water quality.
d. Potential increase in erosion rates to adjacent Lea-Hutaff.
e. Potential impacts to Navigation, commercial and recreational.
f. Potential impacts to the long-term-management of Rich Inlet.
g. Potential impacts to private and public property.
h. Cumulative impacts of Inlet and Inlet channel relocations
throughout North Carolina.
i. Cumulative impacts for using inlets as sand source in
nourishment projects.
j. Potential impacts on public health and safety.
k. Potential impacts to recreational and commercial fishing.
l. The compatibility of the material for nourishment.
m. Potential impacts to cultural resources, particularly the Wild
Dayrell shipwreck.
4. Alternatives. Several alternatives are being considered for the
proposed project. These alternatives will be further formulated and
developed during the scoping process, and an appropriate range of
alternatives, including the no federal action alternative, will be
considered in the EIS.
5. Scoping Process. A public scoping meeting (see DATES) will be
held to receive public comment and assess public concerns regarding the
appropriate scope and preparation of the Draft EIS. Participation in
the public meeting by federal, state, and local agencies and other
interested organizations and persons is encouraged.
The COE will also be consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service under the Endangered Species Act and the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act; with the National Marine Fisheries Service under the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and Endangered Species Act; and with the North
Carolina State Historic Preservation Office under the National Historic
Preservation Act. Additionally, the EIS will assess the potential water
quality impacts pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and
will be coordinated with the North Carolina Division of Coastal
Management (DCM) to determine the project's consistency with the
Coastal Zone Management Act. The COE will closely work with DCM through
the EIS to ensure the process complies with all State Environmental
Policy Act (SEPA) requirements. It is the COE and DCM's intentions to
consolidate both NEPA and SEPA processes to eliminate duplications.
6. Availability of the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS is expected to be
published and circulated sometime in 2008, and a public hearing will be
held after the publication of the Draft EIS.
Dated: February 12, 2007.
John E. Pulliam, Jr.,
Colonel, U.S. Army District Commander.
[FR Doc. 07-848 Filed 2-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-GN-M
