Final Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement To Evaluate Construction of Authorized Improvements to the Gulfport Harbor Federal Navigation Project in Harrison County, MS, 8915-8917 [E9-4203]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 38 / Friday, February 27, 2009 / Notices
or provide significant public benefits.
NTIA, Rural Development, and the
Federal Communications Commission
will host a public meeting to discuss the
broadband initiatives funded by the Act,
including the new Broadband
Technology Opportunities Program, the
new Rural Development Broadband
Program, and the development of a
National Broadband Plan. The public
meeting agenda and information about
the new program will be available at
NTIA’s website at https://
www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants,
Rural Development’s website at https://
www.usda.gov/rurdev, and the FCC’s
website at https://www.fcc.gov. This will
be the first of several Public Meetings.
Public attendance at the meeting is
limited to space available. The meeting
will be physically accessible to people
with disabilities. Individuals requesting
accommodations, such as sign language
interpretation or other ancillary aids, are
asked to indicate this to Barbara Brown
at least two (2) days prior to the
meeting. Members of the public will
have an opportunity to ask questions at
the meeting. The meeting will be
streamed on the Web with captions and
the archive will be made available on
NTIA’s website at https://
www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants and
Rural Development’s website at https://
www.usda/rurdev.
Dated: February 23, 2009.
Bernadette McGuire-Rivera,
Associate Administrator, Office of
Telecommunications and Information
Applications.
Dated: February 23, 2009.
David P. Grahn,
Associate General Counsel, Rural
Development.
Dated: February 23, 2009.
P. Michele Ellison,
Acting General Counsel, Federal
Communications Commission.
[FR Doc. E9–4194 Filed 2–26–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–60–S
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES2
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Notice of Availability of the Record of
Decision for the Final Environmental
Impact Statement for the Brazos River
Harbor Navigation District’s (Port
Freeport) Proposed Widening of the
Freeport Harbor Ship Channel
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:39 Feb 26, 2009
Jkt 217001
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Galveston District announces
the availability of the Record of
Decision (ROD), for the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
for the Port Freeport’s proposal to widen
the Freeport Harbor Ship Channel. The
FEIS was made available for public
review and comment on January 11,
2008. Comments received during the
FEIS comment period are addressed in
the ROD. The ROD discloses the
decision to issue a Department of the
Army permit for the proposed project.
DATES: The waiting period for the FEIS
ended February 11, 2008. The ROD was
signed on February 3, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Questions about this action
may be addressed to the USACE,
Galveston District, Attn: Sam J. Watson,
P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, TX 77553–
1229; or by calling 409–766–3946.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: This Federal Action is in
consideration of a Department of the
Army Permit application for work under
Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act
of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403), Section 404 of
the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344)
and Section 103 of the Marine
Protection and Sanctuaries Act
(MPRSA) (33 U.S.C. 1413).
Background: In April 2005, Port of
Freeport submitted a Department of
Army Permit Application to widen
portions of the Freeport Harbor Jetty
Channel and all of the Freeport Harbor
Entrance Channel from 400 feet (ft) to
600 ft. It was determined that an
Environmental Impact Statement would
be required for the proposed project.
Since the November 29, 2005 Scoping
Meeting, the consulting firm of PBS&J,
under the direction of the Galveston
District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE), prepared an Environmental
Impact Statement for the proposed
project. The ROD is now available to the
public.
Availability of the ROD: The ROD for
the proposed Freeport Channel
Widening project is being made
available to Federal, State, and local
agencies and all interested parties. The
ROD can be viewed or downloaded at:
https://www.swg.usace.army.mil/reg/.
Location: The project is located in the
Freeport Harbor Channel, Brazoria
County, TX. Specifically, the project site
is located along the northern edge of the
Freeport Harbor Jetty and Entrance
Channels, between the towns of
Surfside and Quintana, TX. The project
can be located on the U.S. Geological
Survey quadrangle map entitled
Freeport, TX. Approximate UTM
Coordinates: NAD 83, UTM 14N,
861095.730029, 3206475.762543.
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
8915
Project Description: The project
includes widening the Freeport Harbor
Jetty Channel beginning at Channel
Station 63+35 with a gradual widening,
at the authorized depth, up to an
additional 150 feet (ft) for about 1,835
ft to Channel Station 45+00. From that
point to Channel Station 40+00 the
widening would be less gradual from
the additional 150 ft to an additional
200 ft. Through the rest of the Jetty
Channel and to the end of the Freeport
Harbor Entrance Channel (Channel
Station ¥260+00), the channel would
be widened an additional 200 ft. The
length of channel proposed for
widening is about 6.1 miles, of which
5.7 miles would be widened by 200 ft.
The project depth will remain at the
authorized depth of 45 ft in the Jetty
Channel and 47 ft in the Entrance
Channel. The widening would generate
approximately 3.2 million cubic yards
(mcy) of new work dredged material.
Approximately 2.9 mcy of the new work
material would consist of clay material
and about 300,000 cubic yards (cy)
would consist of silty/sand material.
The ocean dredged material disposal
sites (ODMDS) previously designated
for the existing Freeport Harbor Ship
Channel, would be used for placement
of the 2.9 mcy of clay/silt material and
maintenance material. The 300,000 cy of
silty/sand material would be used
beneficially and placed on Quintana
Beach in front of the Seaway upland
confined placement area.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E9–4197 Filed 2–26–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Final Supplement to the Environmental
Impact Statement To Evaluate
Construction of Authorized
Improvements to the Gulfport Harbor
Federal Navigation Project in Harrison
County, MS
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
SUMMARY: This notice of availability
announces the public release of the
Final Supplement to the Environmental
Impact Statement (SEIS) to evaluate
construction of authorized
improvements to the Gulfport Harbor
Federal navigation project in Harrison
County, MS. The Mobile District, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES2
8916
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 38 / Friday, February 27, 2009 / Notices
published in the Federal Register,
March 31, 2006, (71 FR 16294) a Notice
of Intent to Prepare a Draft SEIS to
address the potential impacts associated
with construction of authorized
improvements to the Federal Gulfport
Harbor navigation project in Harrison
County, MS. The Corps published in the
Federal Register, February 9, 2007, (72
FR 6224) a Notice of Availability of the
Draft SEIS. Comments were received
and incorporated into the Final SEIS.
The Final SEIS will be used as a basis
for ensuring compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). The Corps’ proposed action in
the Final SEIS includes widening the
Federally authorized Mississippi Sound
channel to 300 feet and the Bar channel
to 400 feet. In addition, disposal of the
associated dredged material would be
placed beneficially in water depths of
25 feet or greater east of the Chandeleur
Islands and material dredged from
within the Ship Island Pass (littoral
zone) would be placed in the existing
littoral zone disposal area in water
depths between 14 feet and 18 feet.
Future maintenance material dredged
from the navigation channel would be
placed in open-water sites within
Mississippi Sound utilizing thin-layer
disposal methods, the existing littoral
zone disposal area, and within the
existing Ocean Dredged Material
Disposal Sites.
ADDRESSES: To receive an electronic
copy of the Final SEIS or to submit
comments, contact U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Mobile District, Planning
Division, P.O. Box 2288, Mobile, AL
36628–0001. A copy of the full
document may also be viewed at the
Public Library in Gulfport, Mississippi.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action
and the Final SEIS should be addressed
to Ms. Jennifer L. Jacobson, Chief,
Coastal Environment Team, phone (251)
690–2724, Mobile District, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 2288,
Mobile, AL 36628 or e-mail address:
jennifer.l.jacobson@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Gulfport Harbor is located in
Harrison County, MS on Mississippi
Sound about equidistant (80 miles) from
New Orleans, LA, and Mobile, AL. The
existing project was adopted by the
River and Harbor Act approved July 3,
1930 (House Document number 692,
69th Congress, 2nd Session) and the
River and Harbor Act approved June 30,
1948 (House Document Number 112,
81st Congress, 1st Session).
Construction of the existing Federal
project commenced in 1932, and was
completed in 1950. The River and
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:39 Feb 26, 2009
Jkt 217001
Harbor Act approved July 3, 1958
(Senate Document Number 123, 84th
Congress, 2nd Session) adopted the
small boat harbor as part of the existing
Federal project. Deepening
improvements to the existing Federal
project at Gulfport Harbor was
authorized in the Supplemental
Appropriations Act of 1985 (Pub. L. 99–
88), which was approved on August 15,
1985. The project was also authorized in
the Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA) of 1986 (Pub. L. 99–662),
which was approved November 17,
1986, and provided for development to
deepen and widen the existing ship
channel 36 feet by 300 feet in
Mississippi Sound, and 38 feet by 400
feet across the bar, with changes in the
channel alignment and entrance to the
anchorage basin for safe and
unrestricted navigation.
The 1976 Feasibility Report
considered a number of improvement
plans, such as widening the Mississippi
Sound channel to 300 feet at the
existing 30-foot depth and deepening
the channel in 2-foot increments to a
maximum depth of 36 feet. In addition,
widening the channel across the bar into
the Gulf of Mexico to 400 feet at the
existing 32-foot depth and deepening
the channel in 2-foot increments to a
maximum depth of 38 feet were also
evaluated. The Corps analyzed
realignment of the Ship Island channel,
adjustment of the turning basin’s width,
and enlargement of the channel
entrance into the turning basin. A
number of disposal options were
considered including: open-water
alongside of the channels, island
creation within Mississippi Sound, and
use of specially designed equipment to
transport the dredged material to sites
within the Gulf of Mexico. The 1976
Feasibility Report recommended
enlarging the Bar channel to 38 feet by
400 feet from the 38-foot depth contour
in the Gulf of Mexico for a distance of
about 9.1 miles to a point in Mississippi
Sound near the western end of Ship
Island; and enlarging the Mississippi
Sound channel to 36 feet by 300 feet for
a distance of about 11.8 miles between
the inner end of the Gulf Entrance
channel and the turning basin at
Gulfport; realigning the Bar channel
through Ship Island Pass to a location
generally parallel to and about 1,000
feet west of that presently authorized,
with a deposition basin for littoral drift
38 feet deep, 300 feet wide and 2,000
feet long adjacent to the east side of the
channel at the west end of Ship Island;
and enlarging and adjusting the
dimensions of the turning basin and
channel entrance by extending the
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
southern limits of the basin seaward
about 1,180 feet along the west pier and
2,300 feet along the west side of the
Ship channel, decreasing the width of
the turning basin from 1,320 feet, as
presently authorized, to 1,120 feet, and
deepening the basin and adjusted
channel approach to 36 feet.
Improvements of the Gulfport Harbor
navigation project was initially
authorized by the Fiscal Year 1985
Supplemental Appropriations Act (Pub.
L. 99–88) in accordance with the 1976
Feasibility Report. As a result of this
authorization, studies were initiated
relative to the island construction
within the Sound and the impacts of
thin-layer disposal of new work
material. This initial authorization was
subsequently modified by the WRDA of
1986. A revised Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS), circulated in
1988, considered widening and
deepening the existing Gulfport Harbor
navigation channel to the authorized
dimensions. In addition, five alignments
for the channel segment through Ship
Island Pass were also considered.
Material from the construction and
maintenance of the project were to be
disposed of in the ocean sites. The
WRDA of 1988 further modified the
authorized project to include disposing
of construction material via thin-layer
disposal in Mississippi Sound under a
demonstration program. The
maintenance material would be
disposed of in Mississippi Sound under
a plan developed by the Secretary
approved by the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency. The
Corps published an EIS in June 1989
evaluating deepening and widening
Gulfport Harbor with subsequent
placement via thin-layer and ocean
disposal. The Final SEIS uses the 1989
EIS as a reference during its evaluation
of constructing Gulfport Harbor to the
authorized project dimension. The Final
SEIS evaluates any new conditions that
were not previously addressed in the
1989 EIS.
2. Alternative scenarios considered
include the ‘‘No action’’ alternative and
widening to the Federally authorized
dimension of 300 feet in the Mississippi
Sound channel and 400 feet in the Bar
channel. In addition, an array of
disposal options were evaluated for
placement of dredged material
associated with construction of the
project to its authorized dimension
including future maintenance material.
As a comment to the Draft SEIS, the
Corps received requests from Louisiana
Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
dated June 19, 2007, Mississippi
Department of Marine Resources, dated
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 38 / Friday, February 27, 2009 / Notices
June 29, 2007, and St. Bernard Parish,
dated April 2, 2007, to consider
beneficial use of dredged material
associated with Gulfport Harbor
construction within the vicinity of
Chandeleur and Cat Islands. Based on
these discussions, a new alternative has
been evaluated in the Final SEIS. This
alternative considers beneficial
placement of material dredged during
construction of Gulfport Harbor to its
authorized dimension in water depths
of 25 feet or greater east of the
Chandeleur Islands. Future maintenance
material dredged from the navigation
channel would be placed in open-water
sites within Mississippi Sound utilizing
thin-layer disposal methods, the
existing littoral zone disposal area, and
within the existing Ocean Dredged
Material Disposal Sites.
3. Public comments can be submitted
through a variety of methods. Written
comments may be submitted to the
Corps by mail, facsimile, or electronic
methods. The public comment period
for the Final SEIS will extend through
March 29, 2009.
Dated: February 18, 2009.
Curtis M. Flakes,
Chief, Planning and Environmental Division.
[FR Doc. E9–4203 Filed 2–26–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Hawthorne Mill Project,
Fairfield, Solano County, CA
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES2
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), San Francisco
District, has received applications for
Department of the Army authorizations
from Edenbridge, Incorporated (EI) to
construct two projects in the City of
Fairfield, Solano County, CA. One
project, Hawthorne Mill East, is a
mixed-residential development project
and the second, Hawthorne Mill West,
is a residential development project.
Development of Hawthorne Mill East
will require permanent placement of fill
in 37.8 acres of waters of the U.S.
Hawthorne Mill West would result in
permanent impacts to 0.5 acres of
waters of the U.S. In accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.),
the USACE has determined that the
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:39 Feb 26, 2009
Jkt 217001
proposed actions may have a significant
impact on the quality of the human
environment and therefore requires the
preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). Although the two
projects are separate projects with
independent utility, the USACE and the
City have elected to consider these two
related projects in a single document to
allow for concurrent processing of
requested entitlements. A combined
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/EIS
will be prepared with the USACE as the
Federal lead agency and the City of
Fairfield (City) as the local lead agency
(under the California Environmental
Quality Act, or CEQA).
The Hawthorne Mill East project is
intended to become an integral part of
the City’s proposed train station by
contributing to the creation of a
populated, mixed-use transit hub and
complementing the urban development
principles as contemplated by the City.
The proposed action is intended to: (1)
Maximize long-term land use
opportunities presented by the rail
station by including a mix of land uses
within walking distance of the station;
(2) maximize pedestrian and bicycle
access between residential and
commercial development and the train
station; (3) meet the City’s regional
housing needs requirements in a
manner that minimizes pressure on
regional highway facilities; (4)
contribute to the clear identity of the
train station as a comfortable, attractive,
and vibrant public realm; and (5)
provide appropriate protection of
sensitive natural resources. The purpose
of the Hawthorne Mill West project is to
provide residential housing to fulfill the
unmet needs of the City of Fairfield and
to contribute to regional growth
management by locating residential
development on an infill site that is
contiguous with existing development.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Bryan Matsumoto, 415–503–6786, or
electronic mail:
bryan.t.matsumoto@usace.army.mil; or
Mr. David Feinstein, 707–428–7448, or
electronic mail:
dfeinstein@ci.fairfield.ca.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Description of Proposed actions:
The Hawthorne Mill project sites are
located within the City of Fairfield, CA,
north of Airbase Parkway, south of
Cement Hill Road, and west of Peabody
Road. The project sites are comprised of
eleven Fairfield Assessor’s parcels,
which encompass 453.8 acres located at
the southwest corner of Cement Hill
Road and Peabody Road, on the north
side of the adjacent Union Pacific
Railroad right-of-way. The following
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
8917
specific project components are being
proposed:
a. Hawthorne Mill East: This portion
of the project site will have two
components: A transit oriented mixeduse development and a conservation
area. The development area includes
approximately 110 acres. The majority
of the development would occur on the
north side of McCoy Creek. As
proposed, 59.3 acres will be devoted to
development of approximately 501
residential units, while 6.5 acres will be
devoted to high density residential
units. Commercial uses, including two
restaurants, are planned on 1.6 acres at
the Peabody-Cement Hill Road
intersection. Mixed use retail is planned
for 2.4 acres along Cement Hill Road.
Other land uses include: Parks and open
space encompassing 5.3 acres; rights of
way encompassing 26.9 acres; storm
water and water quality features on 5.2
acres; and a community recreation
center with clubhouse and pool on 1.7
acres. Access to the project site will be
from three locations along Cement Hill
Road. A single, clear span bridge over
McCoy Creek will be provided between
the high density and retail uses in the
northwestern corner of the project site.
The internal road system will be
designed to promote pedestrian and
bicycle traffic and direct connections
provided to the planned train station.
The conservation area includes
approximately 273 acres which support
63.04 acres of wetlands, 2.155 acres of
McCoy Creek, as well as 4.657 acres of
aquatic areas associated with the McCoy
Basin. The conservation area also
supports a large population of the
federally listed Contra Costa goldfields
(Lasthenia conjugens). The conservation
area would be preserved in perpetuity
and would be managed for the benefit
of the natural resources located on the
site.
b. Hawthorne Mill West: This portion
of the project site encompasses
approximately 30 acres and will include
172 residential units occupying 18.3
acres. The development will also
include 9.3 acres of rights of way, 0.5
acres of park/open space, and 1.4 acres
for storm water and water quality
features. Site access will be provided by
an extended Portland Drive and will
connect directly to adjacent residential
developments to the west.
2. Reasonable Alternatives: In
accordance with the requirements of
Section 15124 of the State CEQA
Guidelines and 40 CFR 1502.14,
reasonable alternatives to the proposed
action will be evaluated in the Draft
EIR/EIS. The following alternatives have
been preliminarily identified for
consideration in the Draft EIR/EIS: (1)
E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM
27FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 38 (Friday, February 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8915-8917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4203]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Final Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement To
Evaluate Construction of Authorized Improvements to the Gulfport Harbor
Federal Navigation Project in Harrison County, MS
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice of availability announces the public release of
the Final Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to
evaluate construction of authorized improvements to the Gulfport Harbor
Federal navigation project in Harrison County, MS. The Mobile District,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
[[Page 8916]]
published in the Federal Register, March 31, 2006, (71 FR 16294) a
Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft SEIS to address the potential
impacts associated with construction of authorized improvements to the
Federal Gulfport Harbor navigation project in Harrison County, MS. The
Corps published in the Federal Register, February 9, 2007, (72 FR 6224)
a Notice of Availability of the Draft SEIS. Comments were received and
incorporated into the Final SEIS. The Final SEIS will be used as a
basis for ensuring compliance with the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA). The Corps' proposed action in the Final SEIS includes
widening the Federally authorized Mississippi Sound channel to 300 feet
and the Bar channel to 400 feet. In addition, disposal of the
associated dredged material would be placed beneficially in water
depths of 25 feet or greater east of the Chandeleur Islands and
material dredged from within the Ship Island Pass (littoral zone) would
be placed in the existing littoral zone disposal area in water depths
between 14 feet and 18 feet. Future maintenance material dredged from
the navigation channel would be placed in open-water sites within
Mississippi Sound utilizing thin-layer disposal methods, the existing
littoral zone disposal area, and within the existing Ocean Dredged
Material Disposal Sites.
ADDRESSES: To receive an electronic copy of the Final SEIS or to submit
comments, contact U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District,
Planning Division, P.O. Box 2288, Mobile, AL 36628-0001. A copy of the
full document may also be viewed at the Public Library in Gulfport,
Mississippi.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action
and the Final SEIS should be addressed to Ms. Jennifer L. Jacobson,
Chief, Coastal Environment Team, phone (251) 690-2724, Mobile District,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 2288, Mobile, AL 36628 or e-mail
address: jennifer.l.jacobson@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Gulfport Harbor is located in Harrison County, MS on Mississippi
Sound about equidistant (80 miles) from New Orleans, LA, and Mobile,
AL. The existing project was adopted by the River and Harbor Act
approved July 3, 1930 (House Document number 692, 69th Congress, 2nd
Session) and the River and Harbor Act approved June 30, 1948 (House
Document Number 112, 81st Congress, 1st Session). Construction of the
existing Federal project commenced in 1932, and was completed in 1950.
The River and Harbor Act approved July 3, 1958 (Senate Document Number
123, 84th Congress, 2nd Session) adopted the small boat harbor as part
of the existing Federal project. Deepening improvements to the existing
Federal project at Gulfport Harbor was authorized in the Supplemental
Appropriations Act of 1985 (Pub. L. 99-88), which was approved on
August 15, 1985. The project was also authorized in the Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA) of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-662), which was approved
November 17, 1986, and provided for development to deepen and widen the
existing ship channel 36 feet by 300 feet in Mississippi Sound, and 38
feet by 400 feet across the bar, with changes in the channel alignment
and entrance to the anchorage basin for safe and unrestricted
navigation.
The 1976 Feasibility Report considered a number of improvement
plans, such as widening the Mississippi Sound channel to 300 feet at
the existing 30-foot depth and deepening the channel in 2-foot
increments to a maximum depth of 36 feet. In addition, widening the
channel across the bar into the Gulf of Mexico to 400 feet at the
existing 32-foot depth and deepening the channel in 2-foot increments
to a maximum depth of 38 feet were also evaluated. The Corps analyzed
realignment of the Ship Island channel, adjustment of the turning
basin's width, and enlargement of the channel entrance into the turning
basin. A number of disposal options were considered including: open-
water alongside of the channels, island creation within Mississippi
Sound, and use of specially designed equipment to transport the dredged
material to sites within the Gulf of Mexico. The 1976 Feasibility
Report recommended enlarging the Bar channel to 38 feet by 400 feet
from the 38-foot depth contour in the Gulf of Mexico for a distance of
about 9.1 miles to a point in Mississippi Sound near the western end of
Ship Island; and enlarging the Mississippi Sound channel to 36 feet by
300 feet for a distance of about 11.8 miles between the inner end of
the Gulf Entrance channel and the turning basin at Gulfport; realigning
the Bar channel through Ship Island Pass to a location generally
parallel to and about 1,000 feet west of that presently authorized,
with a deposition basin for littoral drift 38 feet deep, 300 feet wide
and 2,000 feet long adjacent to the east side of the channel at the
west end of Ship Island; and enlarging and adjusting the dimensions of
the turning basin and channel entrance by extending the southern limits
of the basin seaward about 1,180 feet along the west pier and 2,300
feet along the west side of the Ship channel, decreasing the width of
the turning basin from 1,320 feet, as presently authorized, to 1,120
feet, and deepening the basin and adjusted channel approach to 36 feet.
Improvements of the Gulfport Harbor navigation project was initially
authorized by the Fiscal Year 1985 Supplemental Appropriations Act
(Pub. L. 99-88) in accordance with the 1976 Feasibility Report. As a
result of this authorization, studies were initiated relative to the
island construction within the Sound and the impacts of thin-layer
disposal of new work material. This initial authorization was
subsequently modified by the WRDA of 1986. A revised Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), circulated in 1988, considered
widening and deepening the existing Gulfport Harbor navigation channel
to the authorized dimensions. In addition, five alignments for the
channel segment through Ship Island Pass were also considered. Material
from the construction and maintenance of the project were to be
disposed of in the ocean sites. The WRDA of 1988 further modified the
authorized project to include disposing of construction material via
thin-layer disposal in Mississippi Sound under a demonstration program.
The maintenance material would be disposed of in Mississippi Sound
under a plan developed by the Secretary approved by the Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Corps published an EIS in
June 1989 evaluating deepening and widening Gulfport Harbor with
subsequent placement via thin-layer and ocean disposal. The Final SEIS
uses the 1989 EIS as a reference during its evaluation of constructing
Gulfport Harbor to the authorized project dimension. The Final SEIS
evaluates any new conditions that were not previously addressed in the
1989 EIS.
2. Alternative scenarios considered include the ``No action''
alternative and widening to the Federally authorized dimension of 300
feet in the Mississippi Sound channel and 400 feet in the Bar channel.
In addition, an array of disposal options were evaluated for placement
of dredged material associated with construction of the project to its
authorized dimension including future maintenance material. As a
comment to the Draft SEIS, the Corps received requests from Louisiana
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), dated June 19, 2007, Mississippi
Department of Marine Resources, dated
[[Page 8917]]
June 29, 2007, and St. Bernard Parish, dated April 2, 2007, to consider
beneficial use of dredged material associated with Gulfport Harbor
construction within the vicinity of Chandeleur and Cat Islands. Based
on these discussions, a new alternative has been evaluated in the Final
SEIS. This alternative considers beneficial placement of material
dredged during construction of Gulfport Harbor to its authorized
dimension in water depths of 25 feet or greater east of the Chandeleur
Islands. Future maintenance material dredged from the navigation
channel would be placed in open-water sites within Mississippi Sound
utilizing thin-layer disposal methods, the existing littoral zone
disposal area, and within the existing Ocean Dredged Material Disposal
Sites.
3. Public comments can be submitted through a variety of methods.
Written comments may be submitted to the Corps by mail, facsimile, or
electronic methods. The public comment period for the Final SEIS will
extend through March 29, 2009.
Dated: February 18, 2009.
Curtis M. Flakes,
Chief, Planning and Environmental Division.
[FR Doc. E9-4203 Filed 2-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
