Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Port Canaveral Navigation Improvements Section 203 Feasibility Study Located in Brevard County, FL, 12598-12599 [07-1278]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 51 / Friday, March 16, 2007 / Notices
practicable alternative pursuant to the
404(b)(1) Guidelines (40 CFR 230.12).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions or comments concerning the
Final EIS/EIR should be directed to Ms.
Susan A. Meyer, Senior Project
Manager, Regulatory Branch, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District,
P.O. Box 532711, 915 Wilshire
Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90053–
2325, (808) 438–2137. Alternatively,
comments can be submitted
electronically to:
susan.a.meyer@usace.army.mil.
Paper
copies of the Final EIS/EIR will be made
available to the public for review at the
following libraries: Norman F.
Feldheym Central Library (San
Bernardino, California), Hesperia
Branch Library (Hesperia, California),
and the Rancho Cucamonga Public
Library (Rancho Cucamonga,
California). A CD copy of the document
may be obtained by contacting Ms.
Meyer in writing at the address or email
above. Interested parties are invited to
provide their comments on the Final
EIS/EIR, which will become a part of the
official record and will be considered in
the final decision. Written comments
must be received on or before April 16,
2007 and should be submitted to the
contact listed above. A Record of
Decision (ROD) will be issued by the
Corps no earlier than 30 days after the
Notice of Receipt for the Final EIS/EIR
is published in the Federal Register. As
a cooperating agency, the USFS intends
to adopt the Final EIS/EIR and issue its
own ROD in support of the issuance of
a USFS special use permit.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: March 7, 2007.
David J. Castanon,
Chief, Regulatory Branch.
[FR Doc. E7–4823 Filed 3–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–KF–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Port Canaveral Navigation
Improvements Section 203 Feasibility
Study Located in Brevard County, FL
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville District
intends to prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:24 Mar 15, 2007
Jkt 211001
for the Port Canaveral Improvements
Section 203 Feasibility Study. The study
is being conducted by the Canaveral
Port Authority under authority granted
by section 203 of Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA) 1986.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Planning Division,
Environmental Branch, P.O. 4970,
Jacksonville, FL, 32232–0019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Paul Stodola, by e-mail
Paul.E.Stodola@saj02.usace.army.mil or
by telephone at (904) 232–3271.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
a. Proposed Action. Canaveral Port
Authority has elected to conduct a
feasibility study of potential
improvements under the authority
granted by section 203 of WRDA 1986.
Section 203 states (in part) that ‘‘A nonFederal interest may on its own
undertake a feasibility study of a
proposed harbor or inland harbor
project and submit it to the Secretary of
the Army.’’ Corps of Engineers guidance
for implementation of Section 203 is
contained in Engineering Regulation
(ER) 1165–2–122, August 26, 1991.
b. Objectives. The objectives of the
Port Canaveral Navigation
Improvements feasibility study are to
prepare a Section 203 Study Report that
fully complies with all Federal laws and
regulations applicable to navigation
project General Investigation feasibility
studies, and to enable the Assistant
Secretary of the Army to make
appropriate recommendations to
Congress regarding authorization of the
Federal navigation improvements
project for Port Canaveral.
c. Study Purpose and Need for Action.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate
modification to the Federal project for
improvements to the navigational
channels, the west turning basin, and
wideners at the port, all of which would
result in an increase in the efficiency of
cargo vessels and cruise ships using the
port. The study will identify and
evaluate alternatives that will (2) reduce
future congestion at Port Canaveral; (2)
accommodate anticipated future growth
in vessel traffic; (3) improve the
efficiency of operations for cruise ships
and cargo vessels within the Port
complex; (4) allow for use of the Port by
larger, more efficient, cruise ships and
cargo vessels; and (5) allow for
development of additional terminals/
berths without encroaching on the West
Turning Basin.
The total Federal project includes, a
41-foot-deep entrance channel and
maintenance of the 44-foot-deep Navy
Channel in the 41-foot channel reach; a
40-foot deep and 400-foot-wide inner
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
channel; depths of 35 and 39 feet in the
middle turning basin; a channel 39 feet
deep and 400 feet wide from the middle
turning basin west, 1,800 feet, hence a
channel 31 feet deep and 400 feet wide
to the west turning basin also 31 feet
deep; a channel 39 feet deep and 350
feet wide from the middle turning basin
and channel north to the end of Berth
4; relocation of the perimeter dike about
4,000 feet westward and extension of
the harbor westward; a south entrance
jetty 1,100 feet long and an entrance
jetty 1,150 long; a barge dock 90 feet
wide and 600 feet long west of the
harbor dike; and a barge canal 12 feet by
125 feet from the middle turning basin
tot he Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The without project condition is for
continuation of the same channel
depths and dimensions, with
maintenance dredging as needed to
maintain current authorized depths.
Without proposed project improvements
the port will continue to experience the
following three major problems which
greatly impact port operations, safety,
and economic viability.
1. The size of cruise ships calling at
Port Canaveral is constrained by
channel and turning basin dimensions.
The potential for future cruise ship
terminal expansion cannot be fully
exploited under existing channel and
turning basin dimensions and
configurations. In addition, the
increasingly larger cruise ships calling
at Port Canaveral are beginning to
encroach on the existing west turning
basin. Also, passage of large cruise ships
through the narrow ship channel causes
surges at cargo piers, which result in
cargo vessels having to stop loading and
unloading activities while the cruise
ships pass.
2. The size of cargo vessels calling at
Port Canaveral is constrained by
existing channel dimensions and
configuration. Larger, more efficient
vessels could be used for bulk items
such as aggregates and cement if
channels were improved.
3. Congestion at cargo berths reduces
the effectiveness and efficiency of cargo
vessels and landside facilities. Given the
rapid growth in commodity movements
at Port Canaveral, in the very near future
a significant proportion of cargo vessels
calling at Port Canaveral will have to
wait offshore for a berth to become
available. Some of these vessels will
likely divert to an alternative port, and
incur increased transportation costs, if
channels are not improved. In addition,
landside facilities will stand idle as
vessels wait offshore for an available
berth.
d. Alternatives. The proposed
alternative navigation improvements at
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16MRN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 51 / Friday, March 16, 2007 / Notices
Port Canaveral include making no
further improvements to the project (no
action alternative), deepening ocean
access and interior channels to
accommodate larger vessels; deepening
the turning circles in the west and
middle turning basins to accommodate
larger vessels; increasing the diameter of
the west turning basin to accommodate
new larger cruise ships; deepening the
widener to accommodate larger cruise
ships; and widening interior channels to
accommodate larger cruise ships.
e. Issues. The Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) will consider impacts
on marine resources, protected species,
water quality, fish and wildlife
resources, cultural resources, essential
fish habitat, socio-economics resources,
coastal processes, aesthetics and
recreation, and other impacts identified
through scoping, public involvement,
and agency coordination.
f. Scoping Process. Based on early
coordination, the local sponsor
determined that an EIS was needed.
Scoping meetings were held by the local
sponsor with Federal agencies.
Additional agency meetings will be held
in the coming months. All parties are
invited to participate in the scoping
process by identifying any additional
concerns on issues, studies needed,
alternatives, procedures, and other
matters related to the scoping process.
At this time, there are no plans for a
public scoping meeting.
g. Public Involvement. We invite the
participation of affected Federal, state
and local agencies, affected Indian
tribes, and other interested private
organizations and parties.
h. Coordination. The proposed action
is being coordinated with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of
the Endangered Species Act, with the
FWS under the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act, and with the State
Historic Preservation Officer.
i. Other Environmental Review and
Consultation. The proposed action
would involve evaluation for
compliance with guidelines pursuant to
Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act;
application (to the State of Florida) for
Water Quality Certification pursuant to
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act;
certification of state lands, easements,
and rights of way; Essential Fish Habitat
with National Marine Fisheries Service;
and determination of Coastal Zone
Management Act consistency.
j. Agency Role. The non-Federal
sponsor (Canaveral Port Authority) will
provide extensive information and
assistance on the resources to be
impacted, mitigation measures, and
alternatives. The corps will provide
coordination of the EIS process.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:24 Mar 15, 2007
Jkt 211001
k. DEIS Preparation. It is estimated
that the DEIS will be available to the
public on or about January 2008.
Dated: March 7, 2007.
Stuart J. Appelbaum,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 07–1278 Filed 3–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–AJ–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement for the Proposed
Placer Vineyards Project, Corps Permit
Application Number 199900737
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Placer Vineyards Specific
Plan Property Group proposes to
construct a mixed-use master planned
community with residential,
employment, commercial, open space,
recreational and public/quasi-public
land uses. The Plan provides for 14,132
homes in a variety of housing types,
styles, and densities. At full Plan buildout, projected to occur over a 20- to 30year time period, Placer Vineyards will
have a population of approximately
33,000 people, 42 acres of employment
centers, 140 acres of retail commercial
centers and approximately 930 acres of
new parks and open space. This project,
as proposed, would result in impacts to
approximately 102.7 acres of waters of
the United States, including 8.5 acres of
temporary impacts to water and
wetlands.
DATES: Two scoping meetings will be
held on March 28, 2007. The first
meeting will be conducted from 3 p.m.
to 5 p.m., and the second will be
conducted from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at
the Placer County Community
Development Resource Center, Planning
Commission Hearing Room, 3091
County Center Drive (corner of Bell
Road and Richardson), Auburn, CA
95603.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action
and the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement can be answered by Tom
Cavanaugh, (916) 557–5261, e-mail:
thomas.j.cavanaugh@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
applicants have applied for a
Department of the Army permit under
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to
construct a large-scale mixed-use
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12599
development project. As part of the
Section 404(b)(1) application process,
the development of an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) is required. No
project alternatives have been defined to
date. The proposed project and the
alternatives to its proposed size, design
and location will be developed through
the EIS process.
Although wetland delineations have
been conducted for each of the
participating properties, some have not
yet been verified. Based upon the best
currently available information,
approximately 156.1 acres of waters of
the United States have been delineated
within the participating properties. Of
the 156.1 acres mapped on site, the
applicants propose to result in impacts
to approximately 61.3 acres of waters of
the United States and to avoid
approximately 60.1 acres of waters of
the United States for construction of the
project (not including infrastructure).
For development of the infrastructure
elements, the applicants propose to
affect an estimated 41.4 acres of waters
of the United States. Thus, the
combined total proposed impacts to
waters of the United States for all
elements of this comprehensive permit
application would affect 102.7 acres.
The Placer Vineyards Plan Area is
bounded on the north by Baseline Road,
on the south by the Sacramento/Placer
County line, on the west by the Sutter/
Placer County line and Pleasant Grove
Road, and on the east by Dry Creek and
Walerga Road. East to west, the Specific
Plan area spans approximately 6 miles.
North to south, at its widest point, it
spans approximately 2 miles.
The Corps’ public involvement
program includes several opportunities
to provide oral and written comments.
Affected Federal, state, local agencies,
Indian tribes and other interested
private organizations and parties are
invited to participate. Significant issues
to be analyzed in depth in the EIS
include, loss of waters to the United
States, including vernal pools and other
wetlands; cultural resources; threatened
and endangered species; surface water
and groundwater; water quality; socioeconomic effects, and aesthetics.
The Corps will initiate formal
consultation with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and the National
Marine Fisheries Service under Section
7 of the Endangered Species Act for two
federally threatened and endangered
species that may be affected by this
project. In addition, the Corps will be
consulting with the State Historic
Preservation Officer under Section 106
of the National Historic Preservation Act
regarding potential impacts to sites
E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 51 (Friday, March 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12598-12599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1278]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Port Canaveral Navigation Improvements Section 203 Feasibility Study
Located in Brevard County, FL
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville
District intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) for the Port Canaveral Improvements Section 203 Feasibility
Study. The study is being conducted by the Canaveral Port Authority
under authority granted by section 203 of Water Resources Development
Act (WRDA) 1986.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division,
Environmental Branch, P.O. 4970, Jacksonville, FL, 32232-0019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Stodola, by e-mail
Paul.E.Stodola@saj02.usace.army.mil or by telephone at (904) 232-3271.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
a. Proposed Action. Canaveral Port Authority has elected to conduct
a feasibility study of potential improvements under the authority
granted by section 203 of WRDA 1986. Section 203 states (in part) that
``A non-Federal interest may on its own undertake a feasibility study
of a proposed harbor or inland harbor project and submit it to the
Secretary of the Army.'' Corps of Engineers guidance for implementation
of Section 203 is contained in Engineering Regulation (ER) 1165-2-122,
August 26, 1991.
b. Objectives. The objectives of the Port Canaveral Navigation
Improvements feasibility study are to prepare a Section 203 Study
Report that fully complies with all Federal laws and regulations
applicable to navigation project General Investigation feasibility
studies, and to enable the Assistant Secretary of the Army to make
appropriate recommendations to Congress regarding authorization of the
Federal navigation improvements project for Port Canaveral.
c. Study Purpose and Need for Action. The purpose of the study is
to evaluate modification to the Federal project for improvements to the
navigational channels, the west turning basin, and wideners at the
port, all of which would result in an increase in the efficiency of
cargo vessels and cruise ships using the port. The study will identify
and evaluate alternatives that will (2) reduce future congestion at
Port Canaveral; (2) accommodate anticipated future growth in vessel
traffic; (3) improve the efficiency of operations for cruise ships and
cargo vessels within the Port complex; (4) allow for use of the Port by
larger, more efficient, cruise ships and cargo vessels; and (5) allow
for development of additional terminals/berths without encroaching on
the West Turning Basin.
The total Federal project includes, a 41-foot-deep entrance channel
and maintenance of the 44-foot-deep Navy Channel in the 41-foot channel
reach; a 40-foot deep and 400-foot-wide inner channel; depths of 35 and
39 feet in the middle turning basin; a channel 39 feet deep and 400
feet wide from the middle turning basin west, 1,800 feet, hence a
channel 31 feet deep and 400 feet wide to the west turning basin also
31 feet deep; a channel 39 feet deep and 350 feet wide from the middle
turning basin and channel north to the end of Berth 4; relocation of
the perimeter dike about 4,000 feet westward and extension of the
harbor westward; a south entrance jetty 1,100 feet long and an entrance
jetty 1,150 long; a barge dock 90 feet wide and 600 feet long west of
the harbor dike; and a barge canal 12 feet by 125 feet from the middle
turning basin tot he Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The without project condition is for continuation of the same
channel depths and dimensions, with maintenance dredging as needed to
maintain current authorized depths. Without proposed project
improvements the port will continue to experience the following three
major problems which greatly impact port operations, safety, and
economic viability.
1. The size of cruise ships calling at Port Canaveral is
constrained by channel and turning basin dimensions. The potential for
future cruise ship terminal expansion cannot be fully exploited under
existing channel and turning basin dimensions and configurations. In
addition, the increasingly larger cruise ships calling at Port
Canaveral are beginning to encroach on the existing west turning basin.
Also, passage of large cruise ships through the narrow ship channel
causes surges at cargo piers, which result in cargo vessels having to
stop loading and unloading activities while the cruise ships pass.
2. The size of cargo vessels calling at Port Canaveral is
constrained by existing channel dimensions and configuration. Larger,
more efficient vessels could be used for bulk items such as aggregates
and cement if channels were improved.
3. Congestion at cargo berths reduces the effectiveness and
efficiency of cargo vessels and landside facilities. Given the rapid
growth in commodity movements at Port Canaveral, in the very near
future a significant proportion of cargo vessels calling at Port
Canaveral will have to wait offshore for a berth to become available.
Some of these vessels will likely divert to an alternative port, and
incur increased transportation costs, if channels are not improved. In
addition, landside facilities will stand idle as vessels wait offshore
for an available berth.
d. Alternatives. The proposed alternative navigation improvements
at
[[Page 12599]]
Port Canaveral include making no further improvements to the project
(no action alternative), deepening ocean access and interior channels
to accommodate larger vessels; deepening the turning circles in the
west and middle turning basins to accommodate larger vessels;
increasing the diameter of the west turning basin to accommodate new
larger cruise ships; deepening the widener to accommodate larger cruise
ships; and widening interior channels to accommodate larger cruise
ships.
e. Issues. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will consider
impacts on marine resources, protected species, water quality, fish and
wildlife resources, cultural resources, essential fish habitat, socio-
economics resources, coastal processes, aesthetics and recreation, and
other impacts identified through scoping, public involvement, and
agency coordination.
f. Scoping Process. Based on early coordination, the local sponsor
determined that an EIS was needed. Scoping meetings were held by the
local sponsor with Federal agencies. Additional agency meetings will be
held in the coming months. All parties are invited to participate in
the scoping process by identifying any additional concerns on issues,
studies needed, alternatives, procedures, and other matters related to
the scoping process. At this time, there are no plans for a public
scoping meeting.
g. Public Involvement. We invite the participation of affected
Federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other
interested private organizations and parties.
h. Coordination. The proposed action is being coordinated with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act, with the FWS under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act,
and with the State Historic Preservation Officer.
i. Other Environmental Review and Consultation. The proposed action
would involve evaluation for compliance with guidelines pursuant to
Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act; application (to the State of
Florida) for Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the
Clean Water Act; certification of state lands, easements, and rights of
way; Essential Fish Habitat with National Marine Fisheries Service; and
determination of Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.
j. Agency Role. The non-Federal sponsor (Canaveral Port Authority)
will provide extensive information and assistance on the resources to
be impacted, mitigation measures, and alternatives. The corps will
provide coordination of the EIS process.
k. DEIS Preparation. It is estimated that the DEIS will be
available to the public on or about January 2008.
Dated: March 7, 2007.
Stuart J. Appelbaum,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 07-1278 Filed 3-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AJ-M
