Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)-Louisiana, Medium Diversion at White's Ditch Feasibility Study, 78342-78343 [E8-30360]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
78342
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 246 / Monday, December 22, 2008 / Notices
November 18, 2005. The Water
Resources Development Act of 2007
(WRDA 2007) authorized the LCA
program. The authority includes
requirements for comprehensive
planning, program governance,
implementation, and other program
components. The LCA restoration
program will facilitate the
implementation of critical restoration
features and essential science and
technology demonstration projects,
increase the beneficial use of dredged
material and determine the need for
modification of selected existing
projects to support coastal restoration
objectives. The LCA near-term plan
includes fifteen elements authorized for
implementation contingent upon
meeting certain reporting requirements.
Specifically, Section 7006(e)(3) instructs
the Secretary of the Army to submit
feasibility reports to Congress on six
elements of the LCA near-term
restoration plan by December 31, 2008.
The six elements are: (1) Multipurpose
Operation of Houma Navigation Lock,
(2) Terrebonne Basin Barrier Shoreline
Restoration, (3) Small Diversion at
Convent/Blind River, (4) Amite River
Diversion Canal Modification, (5)
Medium Diversion at Whites Ditch, and
(6) Convey Atchafalaya River Water to
Northern Terrebonne Marshes. The
Congressional language further
authorizes construction of these six
elements contingent upon completion of
a favorable report of the Chief of
Engineers, no later than December 31,
2010, and subsequent subsission to the
Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the
Senate.
2. Proposed Action. The Convey
Atchafalaya River Water to Northern
Terrebonne Marshes restoration project
proposes enlarging the connecting
channels (Bayou L’Eau Bleu) to capture
as much of the surplus flow (max. 2000
to 4000 cfs) that would otherwise leave
the Terrebonne Basin. Gated control
structures would be installed to restrict
channel cross-sections to prevent
increased saltwater intrusion during the
late summer and fall when Atchafalaya
River influence is typically low. Some
auxiliary freshwater distribution
structures may be included. This project
also includes increasing freshwater
supply through repairing banks along
the GIWW, enlarging constrictions in
the GIWW, and diverting additional
Atchafalaya River freshwater through
the Avoca Island Levee and into Bayou
Chene/GIWW system.
3. Public Involvement. Public
involvement, an essential part of the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:07 Dec 19, 2008
Jkt 217001
SEIS process, is integral to assessing the
environmental consequences of the
proposed action and improving the
quality of the environmental decision
making. The public includes affected
and interested Federal, state, and local
agencies, Indian tribes, concerned
citizens, stakeholders, and other
interested parties. Public participation
in the SEIS process will be strongly
encouraged, both formally and
informally, to enhance the probability of
a more technically accurate,
economically feasible, and socially and
politically acceptable SEIS. Public
involvement will include but is not
limited to: Information dissemination;
identification of problems, needs and
opportunities; idea generation; public
education; problem solving; providing
feedback on proposals; evaluation of
alternatives; conflict resolution by
consensus; public and scoping notices
and meetings; public, stakeholder and
advisory groups consultation and
meetings; and making the SEIS and
supporting information readily available
in conveniently located places, such as
libraries and on the World Wide Web.
4. Scoping. Scoping, an early and
open process for identifying the scope of
significant issues related to the
proposed action to be addressed in the
SEIS, will be used to: (a) Identify the
affected public and agency concerns; (b)
facilitate an efficient SEIS preparation
process; (c) define the issues and
alternatives that will be examined in
detail in the SEIS; and (d) save time in
the overall process by helping to ensure
that the draft SEIS adequately addresses
relevant issues. A Scoping Meeting
Notice announcing the locations, dates
and times for scoping meetings will be
mailed to all interested parties in
January 2009.
5. Coordination. The USACE and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
have formally committed to work
together to conserve, protect, and restore
fish and wildlife resources while
ensuring environmental sustainability of
our Nation’s water resources under the
January 22, 2003, Partnership
Agreement for Water Resources and
Fish and Wildlife. The USFWS will
provide a Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act Report. Coordination
will be maintained with the USFWS and
the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) regarding threatened and
endangered species under their
respective jurisdictional
responsibilities. Coordination will be
maintained with the NMFS regarding
essential fish habitat. Coordination will
be maintained with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service
regarding prime and unique farmlands.
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will
be consulted regarding the
‘‘Swampbuster’’ provisions of the Food
Security Act. Coordination will be
maintained with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency concerning
compliance with Executive Order
12898, ‘‘Federal Action to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income
Populations.’’ Coordination will be
maintained with the Advisory Counsel
on Historic Preservation and the State
Historic Preservation Officer. The
Louisiana Department of Natural
Resources will be consulted regarding
consistency with the Coastal Zone
Management Act. The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
will be consulted concerning potential
impacts to Natural and Scenic Streams.
5. Availability of Draft SEIS. The
earliest that the draft SEIS will be
available for public review would be in
spring of 2010. The draft SEIS or a
notice of availability will be distributed
to affected Federal, state, and local
agencies, Indian tribes, and other
interested parties.
December 11, 2008.
Mark D. Jernigan,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Deputy District
Commander.
[FR Doc. E8–30358 Filed 12–19–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)—
Louisiana, Medium Diversion at
White’s Ditch Feasibility Study
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) intends to prepare a
supplemental environmental impact
statement (SEIS) for the Louisiana
Coastal Area (LCA)—Louisiana,
Medium Diversion at White’s Ditch
restoration project. This restoration
project will provide additional
freshwater, nutrients, and fine sediment
to the area between the Mississippi
River and River aux Chenes ridges. This
area is currently isolated from the
beneficial effects of the Caernarvon
freshwater diversion. The introduction
of additional freshwater would facilitate
organic sediment deposition, improve
biological productivity, and prevent
E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM
22DEN1
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 246 / Monday, December 22, 2008 / Notices
further deterioration of the marshes.
This SEIS will be tiered off of the
programmatic EIS for the Louisiana
Coastal Area (LCA)—Louisiana,
Ecosystem Restoration Study, November
2004. The record of decision for the
programmatic EIS was signed on
November 18, 2005.
DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section for scoping meeting dates.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions concerning the draft SEIS
should be addressed to Nathan S.
Dayan, CEMVN–PM–RS, P.O. Box
60267, New Orleans, LA 70160–0267;
telephone: (504) 862–2530; fax: (504)
862–1583; or by e-mail:
Nathan.S.Dayan@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority. This SEIS will be tiered
off of the programmatic EIS for the
Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)—
Louisiana, Ecosystem Restoration Study,
November 2004. The record of decision
for the programmatic EIS was signed on
November 18, 2005. The Water
Resources Development Act of 2007
(WRDA 2007) authorized the LCA
program. The authority includes
requirements for comprehensive
planning, program governance,
implementation, and other program
components. The LCA restoration
program will facilitate the
implementation of critical restoration
features and essential science and
technology demonstration projects,
increase the beneficial use of dredged
material and determine the need for
modification of selected existing
projects to support coastal restoration
objectives. The LCA near-term plan
includes fifteen elements authorized for
implementation contingent upon
meeting certain reporting requirements.
Specifically, section 7006(e)(3) instructs
the Secretary of the Army to submit
feasibility reports to Congress on six
elements of the LCA near-term
restoration plan by December 31, 2008.
The six elements are: (1) Multipurpose
Operation of Houma Navigation Lock,
(2) Terrebonne Basin Barrier Shoreline
Restoration, (3) Small Diversion at
Convent/Blind River, (4) Amite River
Diversion Canal Modification, (5)
Medium Diversion at Whites Ditch, and
(6) Convey Atchafalaya River Water to
Northern Terrebonne Marshes. The
Congressional language further
authorizes construction of these six
elements contingent upon completion of
a favorable report of the Chief of
Engineers, no later than December 31,
2010, and subsequent submission to the
Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:07 Dec 19, 2008
Jkt 217001
Environment and Public Works of the
Senate.
2. Proposed Action. The Medium
Diversion at White’s Ditch restoration
project proposes the construction of a
diversion structure which would
provide for a medium diversion (5,000–
15,000 cfs) from the Mississippi River
into the central River aux Chenes area
using a controlled structure. The
objective of the project is to provide
additional freshwater, nutrients, and
fine sediment to the area between the
Mississippi River and River aux Chenes
ridges. This area is currently isolated
from the beneficial effects of the
Caernarvon freshwater diversion. The
introduction of additional freshwater
would facilitate organic sediment
deposition, improve biological
productivity, and prevent further
deterioration of the marshes.
3. Public Involvement. Public
involvement, an essential part of the
SEIS process, is integral to assessing the
environmental consequences of the
proposed action and improving the
quality of the environmental decision
making. The public includes affected
and interested Federal, state, and local
agencies, Indian tribes, concerned
citizens, stakeholders, and other
interested parties. Public participation
in the SEIS process will be strongly
encouraged, both formally and
informally, to enhance the probability of
a more technically accurate,
economically feasible, and socially and
politically acceptable SEIS. Public
involvement will include but is not
limited to: Information dissemination;
identification of problems, needs and
opportunities; idea generation; public
education; problem solving; providing
feedback on proposals; evaluation of
alternatives; conflict resolution by
consensus; public and scoping notices
and meetings; public, stakeholder and
advisory groups consultation and
meetings; and making the SEIS and
supporting information readily available
in conveniently located places, such as
libraries and on the World Wide Web.
4. Scoping. Scoping, an early and
open process for identifying the scope of
significant issues related to the
proposed action to be addressed in the
SEIS, will be used to: (a) Identify the
affected public and agency concerns; (b)
facilitate an efficient SEIS preparation
process; (c) define the issues and
alternatives that will be examined in
detail in the SEIS; and (d) save time in
the overall process by helping to ensure
that the draft SEIS adequately addresses
relevant issues. A Scoping Meeting
Notice announcing the locations, dates
and times for scoping meetings will be
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
78343
mailed to all interested parties in
January 2009.
5. Coordination. The USACE and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
have formally committed to work
together to conserve, protect, and restore
fish and wildlife resources while
ensuring environmental sustainability of
our Nation’s water resources under the
January 22, 2003, Partnership
Agreement for Water Resources and
Fish and Wildlife. The USFWS will
provide a Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act Report. Coordination
will be maintained with the USFWS and
the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) regarding threatened and
endangered species under their
respective jurisdictional
responsibilities. Coordination will be
maintained with the NMFS regarding
essential fish habitat. Coordination will
be maintained with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service
regarding prime and unique farmlands.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will
be consulted regarding the
‘‘Swampbuster’’ provisions of the Food
Security Act. Coordination will be
maintained with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency concerning
compliance with Executive Order
12898, ‘‘Federal Action to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income
Populations.’’ Coordination will be
maintained with the Advisory Counsel
on Historic Preservation and the State
Historic Preservation Officer. The
Louisiana Department of Natural
Resources will be consulted regarding
consistency with the Coastal Zone
Management Act. The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
will be consulted concerning potential
impacts to Natural and Scenic Streams.
5. Availability of Draft SEIS. The
earliest that the draft SEIS will be
available for public review would be in
spring of 2010. The draft SEIS or a
notice of availability will be distributed
to affected Federal, state, and local
agencies, Indian tribes, and other
interested parties.
Dated: December 11, 2008.
Mark D. Jernigan,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Deputy
District Commander.
[FR Doc. E8–30360 Filed 12–19–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM
22DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 246 (Monday, December 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78342-78343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30360]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)--Louisiana, Medium
Diversion at White's Ditch Feasibility Study
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intends to prepare a
supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the Louisiana
Coastal Area (LCA)--Louisiana, Medium Diversion at White's Ditch
restoration project. This restoration project will provide additional
freshwater, nutrients, and fine sediment to the area between the
Mississippi River and River aux Chenes ridges. This area is currently
isolated from the beneficial effects of the Caernarvon freshwater
diversion. The introduction of additional freshwater would facilitate
organic sediment deposition, improve biological productivity, and
prevent
[[Page 78343]]
further deterioration of the marshes. This SEIS will be tiered off of
the programmatic EIS for the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)--Louisiana,
Ecosystem Restoration Study, November 2004. The record of decision for
the programmatic EIS was signed on November 18, 2005.
DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for scoping meeting dates.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the draft SEIS
should be addressed to Nathan S. Dayan, CEMVN-PM-RS, P.O. Box 60267,
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267; telephone: (504) 862-2530; fax: (504) 862-
1583; or by e-mail: Nathan.S.Dayan@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority. This SEIS will be tiered off of the programmatic EIS
for the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)--Louisiana, Ecosystem Restoration
Study, November 2004. The record of decision for the programmatic EIS
was signed on November 18, 2005. The Water Resources Development Act of
2007 (WRDA 2007) authorized the LCA program. The authority includes
requirements for comprehensive planning, program governance,
implementation, and other program components. The LCA restoration
program will facilitate the implementation of critical restoration
features and essential science and technology demonstration projects,
increase the beneficial use of dredged material and determine the need
for modification of selected existing projects to support coastal
restoration objectives. The LCA near-term plan includes fifteen
elements authorized for implementation contingent upon meeting certain
reporting requirements. Specifically, section 7006(e)(3) instructs the
Secretary of the Army to submit feasibility reports to Congress on six
elements of the LCA near-term restoration plan by December 31, 2008.
The six elements are: (1) Multipurpose Operation of Houma Navigation
Lock, (2) Terrebonne Basin Barrier Shoreline Restoration, (3) Small
Diversion at Convent/Blind River, (4) Amite River Diversion Canal
Modification, (5) Medium Diversion at Whites Ditch, and (6) Convey
Atchafalaya River Water to Northern Terrebonne Marshes. The
Congressional language further authorizes construction of these six
elements contingent upon completion of a favorable report of the Chief
of Engineers, no later than December 31, 2010, and subsequent
submission to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate.
2. Proposed Action. The Medium Diversion at White's Ditch
restoration project proposes the construction of a diversion structure
which would provide for a medium diversion (5,000-15,000 cfs) from the
Mississippi River into the central River aux Chenes area using a
controlled structure. The objective of the project is to provide
additional freshwater, nutrients, and fine sediment to the area between
the Mississippi River and River aux Chenes ridges. This area is
currently isolated from the beneficial effects of the Caernarvon
freshwater diversion. The introduction of additional freshwater would
facilitate organic sediment deposition, improve biological
productivity, and prevent further deterioration of the marshes.
3. Public Involvement. Public involvement, an essential part of the
SEIS process, is integral to assessing the environmental consequences
of the proposed action and improving the quality of the environmental
decision making. The public includes affected and interested Federal,
state, and local agencies, Indian tribes, concerned citizens,
stakeholders, and other interested parties. Public participation in the
SEIS process will be strongly encouraged, both formally and informally,
to enhance the probability of a more technically accurate, economically
feasible, and socially and politically acceptable SEIS. Public
involvement will include but is not limited to: Information
dissemination; identification of problems, needs and opportunities;
idea generation; public education; problem solving; providing feedback
on proposals; evaluation of alternatives; conflict resolution by
consensus; public and scoping notices and meetings; public, stakeholder
and advisory groups consultation and meetings; and making the SEIS and
supporting information readily available in conveniently located
places, such as libraries and on the World Wide Web.
4. Scoping. Scoping, an early and open process for identifying the
scope of significant issues related to the proposed action to be
addressed in the SEIS, will be used to: (a) Identify the affected
public and agency concerns; (b) facilitate an efficient SEIS
preparation process; (c) define the issues and alternatives that will
be examined in detail in the SEIS; and (d) save time in the overall
process by helping to ensure that the draft SEIS adequately addresses
relevant issues. A Scoping Meeting Notice announcing the locations,
dates and times for scoping meetings will be mailed to all interested
parties in January 2009.
5. Coordination. The USACE and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) have formally committed to work together to conserve, protect,
and restore fish and wildlife resources while ensuring environmental
sustainability of our Nation's water resources under the January 22,
2003, Partnership Agreement for Water Resources and Fish and Wildlife.
The USFWS will provide a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report.
Coordination will be maintained with the USFWS and the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding threatened and endangered species
under their respective jurisdictional responsibilities. Coordination
will be maintained with the NMFS regarding essential fish habitat.
Coordination will be maintained with the Natural Resources Conservation
Service regarding prime and unique farmlands. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture will be consulted regarding the ``Swampbuster'' provisions
of the Food Security Act. Coordination will be maintained with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency concerning compliance with Executive
Order 12898, ``Federal Action to Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.'' Coordination will be
maintained with the Advisory Counsel on Historic Preservation and the
State Historic Preservation Officer. The Louisiana Department of
Natural Resources will be consulted regarding consistency with the
Coastal Zone Management Act. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries will be consulted concerning potential impacts to Natural and
Scenic Streams.
5. Availability of Draft SEIS. The earliest that the draft SEIS
will be available for public review would be in spring of 2010. The
draft SEIS or a notice of availability will be distributed to affected
Federal, state, and local agencies, Indian tribes, and other interested
parties.
Dated: December 11, 2008.
Mark D. Jernigan,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Deputy District Commander.
[FR Doc. E8-30360 Filed 12-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
