Designation of an Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) in the Gulf of Mexico Off the Mouth of the Atchafalaya River, St. Mary Parish, LA, 43685-43686 [2011-18417]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 140 / Thursday, July 21, 2011 / Notices contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to view the copies of the Final Order, the Petition, and other supporting information. You may view the hard copies Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding Federal holidays. If you wish to examine these documents, you should make an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Additionally, the Final Order for Public Service Company of Colorado—Pawnee Power Station is available electronically at: https://www.epa.gov/region7/air/title5/ petitiondb/petitions/ xcel_pawnee_response2010.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Razzazian, Air Program (8P–AR), EPA Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202–1129. Phone: (303) 312–6648. E-mail: razzazian.christopher@epa.gov. The Act affords EPA a 45-day period to review and object to, as appropriate, a title V operating permit proposed by State permitting authorities. Section 505(b)(2) of the Act authorizes any person to petition the EPA Administrator, within 60 days after the expiration of this review period, to object to a title V operating permit if EPA has not done so. Petitions must be based only on objections to the permit that were raised with reasonable specificity during the public comment period provided by the State, unless the petitioner demonstrates that it was impracticable to raise these issues during the comment period or the grounds for the issues arose after this period. EPA received a petition from WildEarth Guardians dated February 26, 2010, requesting that EPA object to the issuance of the title V operating permit to Public Service Company of Colorado for the operation of the Pawnee Power Station. The Petition alleges that the Permit does not comply with 40 CFR Part 70 in that it fails to assure compliance with: (I) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) requirements; (II) particulate matter (PM) limits applicable to the coal-fired boiler; (III) other applicable PM emission limits (and fails to require the facility to sufficiently monitor fugitive PM emissions); (IV) the 20-percent opacity limit under the New Source Performance Standards, Subpart Y, which applies to coal unloaded to storage activities; (V) PM emission limits applicable to specified point sources (and fails to require the facility to sufficiently monitor PM from those point sources); (VI) CAA § 112(j) for air toxics; and (VII) PSD requirements in regard to carbon dioxide emissions. wreier-aviles on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Jul 20, 2011 Jkt 223001 On June 30, 2011, the Administrator issued an Administrative Order partially granting and partially denying the Petition. The Order explains the reasons behind EPA’s conclusions. Dated: July 13, 2011. Stephen S. Tuber, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 8. [FR Doc. 2011–18415 Filed 7–20–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9442–4] Designation of an Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) in the Gulf of Mexico Off the Mouth of the Atchafalaya River, St. Mary Parish, LA Region 6, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the designation of an ODMDS in the Gulf of Mexico off the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, St. Mary Parish, LA. AGENCY: The U.S. EPA, Region 6, in accordance with EPA’s October 29, 1998 Notice of Policy and Procedures for Voluntary Preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Documents (63 FR 58045), and in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District (the Corps), will prepare an EIS for the designation of an ODMDS in the Gulf of Mexico off the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. An EIS is needed to provide the information necessary to designate an ODMDS. This Notice of Intent is issued Pursuant to Section 102(c) of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA), and 40 CFR Part 228 (Criteria for the Management of Disposal Sites for Ocean Dumping). DATES: Comments or names for the project mailing list must be submitted in writing on or before August 22, 2011. ADDRESSES: Comments and/or names to be placed on the project mailing list should be sent to Jessica Franks, PhD, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733, telephone (214) 665–8335 or e-mail: franks.jessica@epa.gov or Mr. John F. Fiorentino, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, Coastal Environmental Compliance Section, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, Louisiana 70160–0267, telephone (504) 862–1318 or e-mail: John.Fiorentino@usace.army.mil. Additional information is available on SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 43685 the EPA Web site at: https:// www.epa.gov/region6/water/ecopro/ current_action.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Franks, PhD at (214) 665–8335 or Mr. John Fiorentino at (504) 862–1318. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atchafalaya River and the Atchafalaya River Bar Channel (ARBC), located within the Federally-authorized and maintained Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, Louisiana project, provide vessel access to Morgan City, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black from the Gulf of Mexico. The ARBC is located in an area of heavy sedimentation. The bed load fraction of the sediment carried by the Atchafalaya River is deposited mainly in Atchafalaya Bay, resulting in delta accretion and progradation. The ARBC must receive periodic maintenance dredging to ensure safe navigation. Shoal material that could not be used beneficially has been placed (prior to 2002) at an existing MPRSA Section 102(c) ODMDS on the east side of the channel (the ODMDS-East). Concern has been expressed, and Corps studies have shown, that maintenance-dredged material—especially fluid mud, or ‘‘fluff’’—placed on the east side of the ARBC (particularly at the ODMDS-East) is rapidly transported back into the navigation channel by prevailing littoral currents. Since 2002, shoal material from the ARBC not suitable for beneficial use has been placed at a temporary (i.e., 5-year) ODMDS on the west side of the channel (the ODMDS-West) under the authority of MPRSA Section 103(b). In 2007, the Corps requested, and received from EPA Region 6, a 5-year extension for the continued use of the MPRSA Section 103(b) ODMDS-West. The approval for ODMDS-West use is scheduled to expire in August 2012, at which time it can no longer receive shoal material dredged from the ARBC unless it is re-designated as a MPRSA Section 102(c) site by EPA. Following the MPRSA Section 103(b) designation of the ODMDS-West in 2002, the Corps Engineering Research and Development Center, performed monitoring studies to determine if placing maintenance-dredged material on the west side of the ARBC was more effective at reducing shoaling in the channel, thus, reducing the dredging frequency and costs. These studies found that while placing material on the west side of the ARBC did not eliminate shoaling, it did reduce the rate of shoal material runback into the channel, when compared to placing material on the east E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 43686 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 140 / Thursday, July 21, 2011 / Notices side of the channel. These findings were corroborated by the results of more recent studies on sediment transport in the project area performed on behalf of the Corps in 2006. Need for Action: The Corps has requested the permanent, Section 102(c) designation of the ODMDS-West for the disposal of maintenance-dredged material from the ARBC when ocean disposal is the preferred disposal alternative. Placement of dredged material at the ODMDS-West would reduce the amount and rate of shoal material runback into the ARBC (i.e., reduce the shoaling rate), and thus, decrease the overall annual maintenance dredging effort needed for the ARBC while providing vessels with a longer period of safe navigation access between maintenance dredging events. An EIS is required to provide the necessary information to evaluate alternatives and designate the preferred ODMDS. Alternatives: ‘‘No action’’ alternative. The no action alternative is defined as not designating an ocean disposal site. Additional alternatives under consideration include: Non-ocean (beneficial use) placement alternatives; Nearshore Area Disposal Site; Mid-shelf Area Disposal Site; and a Deepwater Area Disposal Site. Scoping: Scoping will be accomplished by correspondence with affected Federal, State, and local agencies, and with anticipated interested parties. Appropriate Federal, State, and local entities will be invited to participate as a cooperating agency. Scoping will be initiated with the distribution of a scoping input request letter. If, based on the results of the comments received from the public scoping letter, there are identified significant interests and concerns expressed by the public, a public meeting may be needed. Estimated Date of Release: The Draft EIS will be made available in December 2011. Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within ten days of the date this notice appears in the Federal Register. Copies of the agreements are available through the Commission’s Web site (https:// www.fmc.gov) or by contacting the Office of Agreements at (202) 523–5793 or tradeanalysis@fmc.gov. Agreement No.: 011689–013. Title: Zim/CSCL Slot Charter Agreement. Parties: Zim Integrated Shipping Services, Ltd.; China Shipping Container Line Co., Ltd.; and China Shipping Container Lines (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. Filing Party: Wayne R. Rohde, Esq.; Cozen O’Conner; 1627 I Street, NW., Suite 1100; Washington, DC 20006– 4007. Synopsis: The amendment revises the parties’ allocation under the Agreement. Agreement No.: 012133. Title: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines/Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Space Charter Agreement. Parties: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Filing Party: John P. Meade, Esq.; General Counsel; K-Line America, Inc.; 6009 Bethlehem Road; Preston, MD 21655. Synopsis: The agreement authorizes the parties to charter space in the trade between ports on the U.S. East coast and Japan. By order of the Federal Maritime Commission. Dated: July 15, 2011. Karen V. Gregory, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–18316 Filed 7–20–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6730–01–P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Reserve System. AGENCY: SUMMARY: [FR Doc. 2011–18417 Filed 7–20–11; 8:45 am] Background BILLING CODE 6560–50–P wreier-aviles on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with NOTICES Dated: July 8, 2011. Al Armendariz, Regional Administrator, Region 6. On June 15, 1984, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delegated to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) its approval authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), as per 5 CFR 1320.16, to approve of and assign OMB control numbers to collection of information requests and requirements conducted or sponsored by the Board under conditions set forth in 5 CFR FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION Notice of Agreements Filed The Commission hereby gives notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreements to the Secretary, VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Jul 20, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1320 Appendix A.1. Board-approved collections of information are incorporated into the official OMB inventory of currently approved collections of information. Copies of the Paperwork Reduction Act Submission, supporting statements and approved collection of information instruments are placed into OMB’s public docket files. The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Request for Comment on Information Collection Proposal The following information collection, which is being handled under this delegated authority, has received initial Board approval and is hereby published for comment. At the end of the comment period, the proposed information collection, along with an analysis of comments and recommendations received, will be submitted to the Board for final approval under OMB delegated authority. Comments are invited on the following: a. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the Federal Reserve’s functions; including whether the information has practical utility; b. The accuracy of the Federal Reserve’s estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and d. Ways to minimize the burden of information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 19, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Reg BB by any of the following methods: • Agency Web Site: https:// www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments at https://www.federalreserve.gov/ generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: regs.comments@federalreserve.gov. Include docket number in the subject line of the message. • FAX: 202–452–3819 or 202–452– 3102. E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1

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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 140 (Thursday, July 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43685-43686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18417]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9442-4]


Designation of an Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) in 
the Gulf of Mexico Off the Mouth of the Atchafalaya River, St. Mary 
Parish, LA

AGENCY: Region 6, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the designation of an ODMDS in the Gulf of Mexico off the 
mouth of the Atchafalaya River, St. Mary Parish, LA.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. EPA, Region 6, in accordance with EPA's October 29, 
1998 Notice of Policy and Procedures for Voluntary Preparation of 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Documents (63 FR 58045), and 
in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans 
District (the Corps), will prepare an EIS for the designation of an 
ODMDS in the Gulf of Mexico off the mouth of the Atchafalaya River, St. 
Mary Parish, Louisiana. An EIS is needed to provide the information 
necessary to designate an ODMDS. This Notice of Intent is issued 
Pursuant to Section 102(c) of the Marine Protection, Research and 
Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA), and 40 CFR Part 228 (Criteria for the 
Management of Disposal Sites for Ocean Dumping).

DATES: Comments or names for the project mailing list must be submitted 
in writing on or before August 22, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments and/or names to be placed on the project mailing 
list should be sent to Jessica Franks, PhD, U. S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-
2733, telephone (214) 665-8335 or e-mail: franks.jessica@epa.gov or Mr. 
John F. Fiorentino, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, 
Coastal Environmental Compliance Section, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70160-0267, telephone (504) 862-1318 or e-mail: 
John.Fiorentino@usace.army.mil. Additional information is available on 
the EPA Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/region6/water/ecopro/current_action.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Franks, PhD at (214) 665-8335 
or Mr. John Fiorentino at (504) 862-1318.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atchafalaya River and the Atchafalaya 
River Bar Channel (ARBC), located within the Federally-authorized and 
maintained Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, 
Louisiana project, provide vessel access to Morgan City, the Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black from 
the Gulf of Mexico.
    The ARBC is located in an area of heavy sedimentation. The bed load 
fraction of the sediment carried by the Atchafalaya River is deposited 
mainly in Atchafalaya Bay, resulting in delta accretion and 
progradation. The ARBC must receive periodic maintenance dredging to 
ensure safe navigation. Shoal material that could not be used 
beneficially has been placed (prior to 2002) at an existing MPRSA 
Section 102(c) ODMDS on the east side of the channel (the ODMDS-East). 
Concern has been expressed, and Corps studies have shown, that 
maintenance-dredged material--especially fluid mud, or ``fluff''--
placed on the east side of the ARBC (particularly at the ODMDS-East) is 
rapidly transported back into the navigation channel by prevailing 
littoral currents.
    Since 2002, shoal material from the ARBC not suitable for 
beneficial use has been placed at a temporary (i.e., 5-year) ODMDS on 
the west side of the channel (the ODMDS-West) under the authority of 
MPRSA Section 103(b). In 2007, the Corps requested, and received from 
EPA Region 6, a 5-year extension for the continued use of the MPRSA 
Section 103(b) ODMDS-West. The approval for ODMDS-West use is scheduled 
to expire in August 2012, at which time it can no longer receive shoal 
material dredged from the ARBC unless it is re-designated as a MPRSA 
Section 102(c) site by EPA.
    Following the MPRSA Section 103(b) designation of the ODMDS-West in 
2002, the Corps Engineering Research and Development Center, performed 
monitoring studies to determine if placing maintenance-dredged material 
on the west side of the ARBC was more effective at reducing shoaling in 
the channel, thus, reducing the dredging frequency and costs. These 
studies found that while placing material on the west side of the ARBC 
did not eliminate shoaling, it did reduce the rate of shoal material 
runback into the channel, when compared to placing material on the east

[[Page 43686]]

side of the channel. These findings were corroborated by the results of 
more recent studies on sediment transport in the project area performed 
on behalf of the Corps in 2006.
    Need for Action: The Corps has requested the permanent, Section 
102(c) designation of the ODMDS-West for the disposal of maintenance-
dredged material from the ARBC when ocean disposal is the preferred 
disposal alternative. Placement of dredged material at the ODMDS-West 
would reduce the amount and rate of shoal material runback into the 
ARBC (i.e., reduce the shoaling rate), and thus, decrease the overall 
annual maintenance dredging effort needed for the ARBC while providing 
vessels with a longer period of safe navigation access between 
maintenance dredging events. An EIS is required to provide the 
necessary information to evaluate alternatives and designate the 
preferred ODMDS.
    Alternatives: ``No action'' alternative. The no action alternative 
is defined as not designating an ocean disposal site. Additional 
alternatives under consideration include: Non-ocean (beneficial use) 
placement alternatives; Nearshore Area Disposal Site; Mid-shelf Area 
Disposal Site; and a Deepwater Area Disposal Site.
    Scoping: Scoping will be accomplished by correspondence with 
affected Federal, State, and local agencies, and with anticipated 
interested parties. Appropriate Federal, State, and local entities will 
be invited to participate as a cooperating agency. Scoping will be 
initiated with the distribution of a scoping input request letter. If, 
based on the results of the comments received from the public scoping 
letter, there are identified significant interests and concerns 
expressed by the public, a public meeting may be needed.
    Estimated Date of Release: The Draft EIS will be made available in 
December 2011.

    Dated: July 8, 2011.
Al Armendariz,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2011-18417 Filed 7-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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