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, 8361-8362 [07-850]
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ycherry on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 37 / Monday, February 26, 2007 / Notices
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
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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.
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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; * * *’’
E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM
26FEN1
8362
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 37 / Monday, February 26, 2007 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions concerning the Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)
should be addressed to Mr. Alan W.
Bennett at: U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, PM–RS, P.O. Box 60267,
New Orleans, LA 70160–0267, phone
(504) 862–2516, fax number (504) 862–
2088 or by e-mail at
alan.w.bennett@mvn02.usace.army.mil.
ycherry on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action. The proposed
action would replace or modify and
incorporate certain non-Federal levees
on the west bank of the Mississippi
River in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
into the existing New Orleans to Venice
hurricane protection project. The
proposed project study area includes the
west bank of the Mississippi River,
starting near the community of Oakville
to the north and ending at St. Jude to the
south. The New Orleans to Venice
hurricane protection project was
authorized by Public Law 87–874, as
amended. Under this authority, the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers constructed a
hurricane protection levee system
extending along a protion of the west
bank of the Mississippi River. This SEIS
is being prepared as a third
supplemental to the July 1974 final EIS,
‘‘New Orleans to Venice, Louisiana,
Hurricane Protection Project’’, filed with
the Council on Environmental Quality
on January 6, 1975.
The existing federally authorized
hurricane protection system does not
provide continuous protection from
Belle Chasse to Venice. Specifically,
approximately 34 miles of existing nonFederal levees in Plaquemines Parish do
not provide hurricane and storm
damage reduction protection to the
authorized level of the New Orleans to
Venice hurricane protection project.
This condition exposes residents and
businesses in several west bank
communities and the hurricane
evacuation route, Louisiana Highway
23, to a higher potential for flooding in
the event of a storm or hurricane.
Engineering, economic, and
environmental analysis would be used
to determine the most cost effective
plan, which would provide for the
greatest overall public benefit.
2. Alternatives. Several levee
alignments are being investigated to
protect these communities, businesses,
the hurricane evacuation route, and to
avoid wetland impacts. In addition,
non-structural alternatives such as
relocations or raising homes and
businesses are also being developed and
evaluated. Incremental analysis of costs
and benefits for different reaches of the
levee alignments would also be
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:03 Feb 23, 2007
Jkt 211001
conducted. Various protection levels for
the levee alignments would also be
investigated.
3. Scoping. Scoping is the process for
determining the scope of alternatives
and significant issues to be addressed in
the SEIS. A notice requesting scoping
comments will be sent to affected
Federal, State, and local agencies,
affected Indian tribes, and all interested
parties requesting their input on
alternatives and issues to be evaluated
in the SEIS. The notice will also notify
interested parties of public scoping
meetings that will be held in the local
area. Notices will also be sent to local
news media. All interested parties are
invited to comment at this time, and
anyone interested in this study should
request to be included in the study
mailing list.
Two public scoping meetings will be
held in March 2007. The meetings will
be held in the vicinity of Belle Chasse
and West Pointe a la Hache. Additional
meetings could be held, depending
upon interest and if it is determined that
further public coordination is
warranted.
4. Significant Issues. The tentative list
of resources and issues to be evaluated
in the SEIS includes tidal wetlands
(marshes and swamps), aquatic
resources, commercial and recreational
fisheries, wildlife resources, essential
fish habitat, water quality, air quality,
threatened and endangered species,
recreation resources, and cultural
resources. Socioeconomic items to be
evaluated in the SEIS include hurricane
and flood protection, business and
industrial activity, employment, land
use, property values, public/community
facilities and services, tax revenues,
population, community and regional
growth, transportation, housing,
community cohesion, and noise.
5. Environmental Consultation and
Review. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) will be assisting in the
documentation of existing conditions
and assessment of effects of project
alternatives through Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act consultation
procedures. The USFWS will provide a
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
report. Consultation will be
accomplished with the USFWS and the
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) concerning threatened and
endangered species and their critical
habitat. The NMFS will be consulted on
the effects of this proposed action on
essential fish habitat. The draft SEIS or
a notice of its availability will be
distributed to all interested agencies,
organizations, and individuals.
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
6. Estimated Date of Availability. The
earliest that the draft SEIS is expected
to be available is in spring 2008.
Dated: February 16, 2007.
Richard P. Wagenaar,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 07–850 Filed 2–23–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–84–M
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of International Regimes and
Agreements; Proposed Subsequent
Arrangement
AGENCY:
Department of Energy.
Notice of proposed subsequent
arrangement.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: This notice is being issued
under the authority of section 131 of the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended
(42 U.S.C. 2160). The Department is
providing notice of a proposed
‘‘subsequent arrangement’’ under the
Agreement for Cooperation in the
Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
between the United States and the
European Atomic Energy Community
(Euratom) and the Agreement for
Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of
Nuclear Energy between the United
States and Canada.
This subsequent arrangement
concerns the retransfer of 846,126 kg of
Natural UO3 (82.7% U), containing
700,000 kg of Uranium. This material
will be retransferred from Cameco
Corporation, Canada, to Springfields
Fuels Ltd., United Kingdom for ultimate
use as nuclear power reactor fuel by
Electric Power Development Company
Ltd., Japan. Springfields Fuels Ltd. is
authorized to receive nuclear material
pursuant to the U.S.-Euratom
Agreement for Cooperation.
In accordance with section 131 of the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended,
we have determined that this
subsequent arrangement will not be
inimical to the common defense and
security.
This subsequent arrangement will
take effect no sooner than fifteen days
after the date of publication of this
notice.
Dated: February 20, 2007.
For the Department of Energy.
Anatoli Welihozkiy,
Acting Director, Office of International
Regimes and Agreements.
[FR Doc. E7–3180 Filed 2–23–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 37 (Monday, February 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8361-8362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-850]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
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; * * *''
[[Page 8362]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) should be addressed to Mr. Alan
W. Bennett at: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, PM-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New
Orleans, LA 70160-0267, phone (504) 862-2516, fax number (504) 862-2088
or by e-mail at alan.w.bennett@mvn02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action. The proposed action would replace or modify and
incorporate certain non-Federal levees on the west bank of the
Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana into the existing
New Orleans to Venice hurricane protection project. The proposed
project study area includes the west bank of the Mississippi River,
starting near the community of Oakville to the north and ending at St.
Jude to the south. The New Orleans to Venice hurricane protection
project was authorized by Public Law 87-874, as amended. Under this
authority, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a hurricane
protection levee system extending along a protion of the west bank of
the Mississippi River. This SEIS is being prepared as a third
supplemental to the July 1974 final EIS, ``New Orleans to Venice,
Louisiana, Hurricane Protection Project'', filed with the Council on
Environmental Quality on January 6, 1975.
The existing federally authorized hurricane protection system does
not provide continuous protection from Belle Chasse to Venice.
Specifically, approximately 34 miles of existing non-Federal levees in
Plaquemines Parish do not provide hurricane and storm damage reduction
protection to the authorized level of the New Orleans to Venice
hurricane protection project. This condition exposes residents and
businesses in several west bank communities and the hurricane
evacuation route, Louisiana Highway 23, to a higher potential for
flooding in the event of a storm or hurricane. Engineering, economic,
and environmental analysis would be used to determine the most cost
effective plan, which would provide for the greatest overall public
benefit.
2. Alternatives. Several levee alignments are being investigated to
protect these communities, businesses, the hurricane evacuation route,
and to avoid wetland impacts. In addition, non-structural alternatives
such as relocations or raising homes and businesses are also being
developed and evaluated. Incremental analysis of costs and benefits for
different reaches of the levee alignments would also be conducted.
Various protection levels for the levee alignments would also be
investigated.
3. Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the scope of
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the SEIS. A
notice requesting scoping comments will be sent to affected Federal,
State, and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and all interested
parties requesting their input on alternatives and issues to be
evaluated in the SEIS. The notice will also notify interested parties
of public scoping meetings that will be held in the local area. Notices
will also be sent to local news media. All interested parties are
invited to comment at this time, and anyone interested in this study
should request to be included in the study mailing list.
Two public scoping meetings will be held in March 2007. The
meetings will be held in the vicinity of Belle Chasse and West Pointe a
la Hache. Additional meetings could be held, depending upon interest
and if it is determined that further public coordination is warranted.
4. Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues
to be evaluated in the SEIS includes tidal wetlands (marshes and
swamps), aquatic resources, commercial and recreational fisheries,
wildlife resources, essential fish habitat, water quality, air quality,
threatened and endangered species, recreation resources, and cultural
resources. Socioeconomic items to be evaluated in the SEIS include
hurricane and flood protection, business and industrial activity,
employment, land use, property values, public/community facilities and
services, tax revenues, population, community and regional growth,
transportation, housing, community cohesion, and noise.
5. Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be assisting in the documentation of
existing conditions and assessment of effects of project alternatives
through Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act consultation procedures. The
USFWS will provide a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report.
Consultation will be accomplished with the USFWS and the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) concerning threatened and endangered
species and their critical habitat. The NMFS will be consulted on the
effects of this proposed action on essential fish habitat. The draft
SEIS or a notice of its availability will be distributed to all
interested agencies, organizations, and individuals.
6. Estimated Date of Availability. The earliest that the draft SEIS
is expected to be available is in spring 2008.
Dated: February 16, 2007.
Richard P. Wagenaar,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Commander.
[FR Doc. 07-850 Filed 2-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-M
