Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement With an Integrated Feasibility Report for the Chesapeake Bay Shoreline Erosion Study, MD, 23806 [07-2114]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
• Engineers Corps
• Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 23806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2114]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement With an 
Integrated Feasibility Report for the Chesapeake Bay Shoreline Erosion 
Study, MD

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

ACTION:  Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), the Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), 
will conduct a review of the 1990 Chesapeake Bay Shoreline Erosion 
Study to investigate shoreline erosion and related sediment management 
measures which could be undertaken to protect the water and land 
resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and achieve the water quality 
conditions necessary to protect the Bay's living resources. USACE will 
prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and integrated 
feasibility report documenting study findings and plan formulation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed DEIS with 
integrated feasibility report can be addressed to Mr. Kevin Luebke, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENAB-PL-P, 10 South Howard Street, 
P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715, telephone 410-962-6141; e-mail 
address: Kevin.Luebke@usace.army.mil; or Mr. Christopher Spaur, same 
address, telephone 410-962-6134; e-mail address: 
Christopher.C.Spaur@usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: USACE is conducting this review in 
partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
The 1990 study evaluated erosive conditions along the Chesapeake Bay 
shoreline where publicly owned property and/or infrastructure were 
threatened. The 1990 study also investigated sources of sediment from 
shoreline that contribute to shoaling of public navigation channels.
    Several efforts have been completed to date in the review. 
Conditions of the Maryland shoreline have been inventoried by the 
Virginia Institute of Marine Science and summary data and maps are now 
available on the worldwide Web at https://ccrm.vims.edu/gisdatabases.html. Wave energy has been modeled regionally for the 
study area shoreline by USACE. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
prepared a planning aid report identifying shoreline-dependent animal 
and plant species and important habitats. Efforts currently underway 
include: (1) Conducting a statistical analysis of historic shoreline 
change rates, modeled shoreline wave energy, and current shoreline to 
correlate relationships between these variables; (2) Forecasting 
shoreline areas likely to be vulnerable to future erosion; (3) 
Characterizing tidal tributary shoreline segments vulnerable to boat 
wake erosion; and (4) Formulating shoreline ecosystem restoration and 
public property and infrastructure storm/flood damage reduction 
projects for implementation by USACE, DNR, and other agencies or 
organizations. Engineering feasibility, economic costs and benefits, 
and environmental impacts will be considered in formulating projects. 
Additionally, the study partners, in conjunction with Md. Dept. of the 
Environment (MDE), initiated preparation of an updated shoreline 
erosion control handbook for waterfront property owners.
    Study products will comprise components of a shoreline management 
master plan DNR and MDE are developing for the state of Maryland. The 
master plan would address issuance of stabilization permits for 
shoreline property owners, shoreline habitat restoration and 
conservation, and coastal flood and erosion hazard reduction. The USACE 
EIS and integrated feasibility report will provide an overview of the 
master plan and include environmental compliance documentation for 
specific projects USACE may pursue. Projects to be pursued 
independently by others would require separate environmental compliance 
efforts to be undertaken by other agencies and organization.
    The study will be conducted in compliance with Sections 401 and 404 
of the Clean Water Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, the 
Clean Air Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Section 106 
of the National Historic Preservation Act, Prime and Unique Farmlands, 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and the 
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act. All appropriate 
documentation (i.e., coordination letters and public and agency 
comments) will be obtained and included as part of the EIS. As part of 
the EIS process, recommendations of projects will be based on an 
evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activity on the 
public interest. The decision will reflect the national concern for the 
protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit, which 
may reasonably be expected to accrue from the proposal, will be 
balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments.
    It is expected that public release of the DEIS and integrated 
feasibility report will occur in Summer 2009.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 07-2114 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-41-M