Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay, TX, Coastal Storm Risk Management and Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study, 69841-69842 [2014-27723]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 226 / Monday, November 24, 2014 / Notices
to the location listed (see ADDRESSES). In
order to be considered, each application
must include:
1. The name of the applicant and the
primary stakeholder interest category
that person is qualified to represent;
2. A written statement describing the
applicant’s area of expertise and why
the applicant believes he or she should
be appointed to represent that area of
expertise on the MRRIC;
3. A written statement describing how
the applicant’s participation as a
Stakeholder Representative will fulfill
the roles and responsibilities of MRRIC;
4. A written description of the
applicant’s past experience(s) working
collaboratively with a group of
individuals representing varied interests
towards achieving a mutual goal, and
the outcome of the effort(s);
5. A written description of the
communication network that the
applicant plans to use to inform his or
her constituents and to gather their
feedback, and
6. A written endorsement letter from
an organization, local government body,
or formal constituency, which
demonstrates that the applicant
represents an interest group(s) in the
Missouri River basin.
To be considered, the application
must be complete and received by the
close of business on December 29, 2014,
at the location indicated (see
ADDRESSES). Applications must include
an endorsement letter to be considered
complete. Full consideration will be
given to all complete applications
received by the specified due date.
Application Review Process.
Committee stakeholder applications will
be forwarded to the current members of
the MRRIC. The MRRIC will provide
membership recommendations to the
Corps as described in Attachment A of
the Process for Filling MRRIC
Stakeholder Vacancies document
(www.MRRIC.org). The Corps is
responsible for appointing stakeholder
members. The Corps will consider
applications using the following criteria:
• Ability to commit the time required.
• Commitment to make a good faith
(as defined in the Charter) effort to seek
balanced solutions that address multiple
interests and concerns.
• Agreement to support and adhere to
the approved MRRIC Charter and
Operating Procedures.
• Demonstration of a formal
designation or endorsement by an
organization, local government, or
constituency as its preferred
representative.
• Demonstration of an established
communication network to keep
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20:32 Nov 21, 2014
Jkt 235001
constituents informed and efficiently
seek their input when needed.
• Agreement to participate in
collaboration training as a condition of
membership.
All applicants will be notified in
writing as to the final decision about
their application.
Certification. I hereby certify that the
establishment of the MRRIC is necessary
and in the public interest in connection
with the performance of duties imposed
on the Corps by the Endangered Species
Act and other statutes.
Dated: November 13, 2014.
Brad Thompson,
Chief of Planning, Omaha District.
[FR Doc. 2014–27718 Filed 11–21–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay, TX,
Coastal Storm Risk Management and
Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility
Study
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
AGENCY:
The Sabine Pass to Galveston
Bay, Texas, study area encompasses six
coastal counties on the upper Texas
Gulf coast—Orange, Jefferson,
Chambers, Harris, Galveston and
Brazoria. The Draft Integrated
Feasibility Report and Environmental
Impact Statement (DIFR–EIS) will
evaluate structural and non-structural
alternatives which address coastal storm
risk management (CSRM) and ecosystem
restoration (ER) impacts in the study
area. The environmental impact study
will focus on environmental and social
conditions currently present and those
likely to be affected by potential future
impacts of storm surge and ecosystem
restoration opportunities. Several major
historical surge events have occurred in
the study area in the past 120 years. The
most notable is perhaps the 1900 Storm,
which inundated most of the island city
of Galveston, TX, and adjacent areas on
the mainland. The storm was
responsible for over eight thousand
deaths and up to $30 million in
property damage. Hurricane Rita in
2005 resulted in storm surge of 9.2 feet
in Port Arthur, TX, and just over 8 feet
in Sabine Pass. Most recently, Hurricane
Ike in 2008 produced storm surges of 14
feet near Sabine Pass and 11 to 12 feet
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
69841
across Sabine Lake. The City of Port
Arthur was spared from the impacts of
storm surge thanks to its existing 14- to
17-foot hurricane flood protection
system. However, the remaining
southern half of Jefferson County was
inundated, with estimated high water
marks reaching 18 to19 feet to the south
and east of High Island. The City of
Galveston was protected from Hurricane
Ike’s high energy surge impacts by the
Galveston Seawall, but much of the City
of Galveston was later flooded by about
6 to 10 feet of surge coming from the
bay. The City of Texas City was
protected from Ike’s surge impacts by its
existing hurricane flood protection
system. At risk within the study area are
approximately 2.26 million people
living within the storm-surge
inundation zone, three of the nine
largest oil refineries in the world, 40
percent of the nation’s petrochemical
industry, 25 percent of the nation’s
petroleum-refining capacity, and three
of the ten largest U.S. seaports.
DATES: Comments on proposed DIFR–
EIS will be accepted through December
24, 2014.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Galveston District, P.O. Box
1229, Galveston, TX 77553–1229.
Emails may be sent to Janelle.S.Stokes@
usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Sheridan Willey, (409) 766–3917,
Planning Lead, Plan Formulation
Section, Regional Planning and
Environmental Center; or Ms. Janelle
Stokes, (409) 766–3039, Environmental
Lead, NEPA/Cultural Resources Section,
Regional Planning and Environmental
Center.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
(1) Background. In 2011, the Corps of
Engineers and non-Federal sponsor, the
Texas General Land Office, agreed to
rescope an earlier study to evaluate
plans to develop CSRM and ER features
over the entire six-county region
covering the upper Texas coast. The
study is authorized under Section 4091,
Water Resources Development Act of
2007 Public Law 110–114.
(2) Alternatives. Structural
alternatives that will be evaluated are:
(1) A new surge protection system in
Orange and Jefferson Counties,
including small, navigable surge gates
on Cow and Adams Bayous; (2) a large
navigable surge gate in the Neches River
near the Rainbow Bridge; and (3)
reevaluation of the existing Port Arthur
and Freeport Hurricane Flood
Protection Systems. Non-structural
measures such as targeted buy-outs, will
also be evaluated. Structural and nonstructural alternatives to address storm
E:\FR\FM\24NON1.SGM
24NON1
69842
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 226 / Monday, November 24, 2014 / Notices
surge impacts in the Galveston Bay
system, as well as ER measures
throughout the six-county study area
will be evaluated programmatically,
with recommendations being made for
future detailed analyses of feasible
alternatives.
(3) Scoping. In February and March of
2012, four scoping meetings were held
in the cities of Beaumont, Seabrook,
Galveston and Freeport, TX. The
scoping process involved Federal, State
and local agencies, Federally-recognized
Indian tribes, and other interested
persons and organizations. Comments
were received for 30 days following
each scoping meeting. A total of 285
ideas were collected and these were
collated and screened into a detailed list
of structural and non-structural CSRM
and ER measures that are being
considered during this study. At this
time, there are no plans for an
additional scoping meeting. However,
input from affected Federal, state and
local agencies, affected Indian tribes,
and other interested private
organizations and parties is being
solicited with this notice.
(4) Coordination. Further
coordination with environmental
agencies will be conducted under the
National Environmental Policy Act, the
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the
Endangered Species Act, the Clean
Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the
National Historic Preservation Act, the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, and
the Coastal Zone Management Act
under the Texas Coastal Management
Program.
(5) DIFR–EIS Preparation. It is
estimated that the DIFR–EIS will be
available to the public for review and
comment in August, 2015.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014–27723 Filed 11–21–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Commission To Review the
Effectiveness of the National Energy
Laboratories
Department of Energy.
Notice of open meeting.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
ACTION:
This notice announces an
open meeting of the Commission to
Review the Effectiveness of the National
Energy Laboratories (Commission). The
Commission was created pursuant
section 319 of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2014, Public Law
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:32 Nov 21, 2014
Jkt 235001
113–76, and in accordance with the
provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5
U.S.C. App. 2. This notice is provided
in accordance with the Act.
DATES: Monday, December 15, 2014,
10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Institute for Defense
Analyses, 4850 Mark Center Drive,
Room 1301, Alexandria, VA 22311.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen Gibson, Designated Federal
Officer, U.S. Department of Energy,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585; telephone (202)
586–3787; email crenel@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: The Commission was
established to provide advice to the
Secretary on the Department’s national
laboratories. The Commission will
review the DOE national laboratories for
alignment with the Department’s
strategic priorities, clear and balanced
missions, unique capabilities to meet
current energy and national security
challenges, appropriate size to meet the
Department’s energy and national
security missions, and support of other
Federal agencies. The Commission will
also look for opportunities to more
effectively and efficiently use the
capabilities of the national laboratories
and review the use of laboratory
directed research and development
(LDRD) to meet the Department’s
science, energy, and national security
goals.
Purpose of the Meeting: This meeting
is the fourth meeting of the
Commission.
Tentative Agenda: The meeting will
start at 10:00 a.m. on December 15. The
tentative meeting agenda includes
discussion on how the DOE Labs impact
the national science and technology
enterprise and further discussions on
their relationship with industry. Key
presenters will address and discuss
these topics with comments from the
public. The meeting will conclude at
3:30 p.m. The agenda will be posted
when finalized and in advance of the
meeting on the Lab Commission Web
site: (https://energy.gov/labcommission/
commission-review-effectivenessnational-energy-laboratories).
Public Participation: The meeting is
open to the public. Individuals who
would like to attend must RSVP to
Karen Gibson no later than 5:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at email
crenel@hq.doe.gov. Please provide your
name, organization, citizenship, and
contact information. Anyone attending
the meeting will be required to present
government issued identification.
Individuals and representatives of
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
organizations who would like to offer
comments and suggestions may do so at
the end of the meeting. Approximately
30 minutes will be reserved for public
comments. Time allotted per speaker
will depend on the number who wish to
speak but will not exceed 5 minutes.
The Designated Federal Officer is
empowered to conduct the meeting in a
fashion that will facilitate the orderly
conduct of business. Those wishing to
speak should register to do so beginning
at 10:00 a.m. on December 15.
Those not able to attend the meeting
or who have insufficient time to address
the committee are invited to send a
written statement to Karen Gibson, U.S.
Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue SW., Washington
DC 20585, or to email: crenel@
hq.doe.gov.
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting
will be available on the Commission
Web site at: https://energy.gov/
labcommission.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November
18, 2014.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014–27742 Filed 11–21–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL–9919–53–OAR]
California State Nonroad Engine
Pollution Control Standards; Diesel
Engines on Commercial Harbor Craft;
Request for Within-the-Scope and Full
Authorization; Opportunity for Public
Hearing and Comment
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The California Air Resources
Board (CARB) has notified the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
that it has adopted amendments to its
Commercial Harbor Craft regulation
(CHC amendments). By letter dated May
28, 2014, CARB asked that EPA
authorize these amendments pursuant
to section 209(e) of the Clean Air Act
(CAA or Act). CARB seeks confirmation
that certain of the amendments are
within the scope of a prior authorization
issued by EPA, and that certain of the
amendments require and merit a full
authorization. This notice announces
that EPA has tentatively scheduled a
public hearing to consider California’s
request for authorization of the CHC
amendments, and that EPA is now
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\24NON1.SGM
24NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 226 (Monday, November 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69841-69842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27723]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay, TX, Coastal Storm Risk Management and
Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay, Texas, study area
encompasses six coastal counties on the upper Texas Gulf coast--Orange,
Jefferson, Chambers, Harris, Galveston and Brazoria. The Draft
Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (DIFR-
EIS) will evaluate structural and non-structural alternatives which
address coastal storm risk management (CSRM) and ecosystem restoration
(ER) impacts in the study area. The environmental impact study will
focus on environmental and social conditions currently present and
those likely to be affected by potential future impacts of storm surge
and ecosystem restoration opportunities. Several major historical surge
events have occurred in the study area in the past 120 years. The most
notable is perhaps the 1900 Storm, which inundated most of the island
city of Galveston, TX, and adjacent areas on the mainland. The storm
was responsible for over eight thousand deaths and up to $30 million in
property damage. Hurricane Rita in 2005 resulted in storm surge of 9.2
feet in Port Arthur, TX, and just over 8 feet in Sabine Pass. Most
recently, Hurricane Ike in 2008 produced storm surges of 14 feet near
Sabine Pass and 11 to 12 feet across Sabine Lake. The City of Port
Arthur was spared from the impacts of storm surge thanks to its
existing 14- to 17-foot hurricane flood protection system. However, the
remaining southern half of Jefferson County was inundated, with
estimated high water marks reaching 18 to19 feet to the south and east
of High Island. The City of Galveston was protected from Hurricane
Ike's high energy surge impacts by the Galveston Seawall, but much of
the City of Galveston was later flooded by about 6 to 10 feet of surge
coming from the bay. The City of Texas City was protected from Ike's
surge impacts by its existing hurricane flood protection system. At
risk within the study area are approximately 2.26 million people living
within the storm-surge inundation zone, three of the nine largest oil
refineries in the world, 40 percent of the nation's petrochemical
industry, 25 percent of the nation's petroleum-refining capacity, and
three of the ten largest U.S. seaports.
DATES: Comments on proposed DIFR-EIS will be accepted through December
24, 2014.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, P.O. Box
1229, Galveston, TX 77553-1229. Emails may be sent to
Janelle.S.Stokes@usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sheridan Willey, (409) 766-3917,
Planning Lead, Plan Formulation Section, Regional Planning and
Environmental Center; or Ms. Janelle Stokes, (409) 766-3039,
Environmental Lead, NEPA/Cultural Resources Section, Regional Planning
and Environmental Center.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
(1) Background. In 2011, the Corps of Engineers and non-Federal
sponsor, the Texas General Land Office, agreed to rescope an earlier
study to evaluate plans to develop CSRM and ER features over the entire
six-county region covering the upper Texas coast. The study is
authorized under Section 4091, Water Resources Development Act of 2007
Public Law 110-114.
(2) Alternatives. Structural alternatives that will be evaluated
are: (1) A new surge protection system in Orange and Jefferson
Counties, including small, navigable surge gates on Cow and Adams
Bayous; (2) a large navigable surge gate in the Neches River near the
Rainbow Bridge; and (3) reevaluation of the existing Port Arthur and
Freeport Hurricane Flood Protection Systems. Non-structural measures
such as targeted buy-outs, will also be evaluated. Structural and non-
structural alternatives to address storm
[[Page 69842]]
surge impacts in the Galveston Bay system, as well as ER measures
throughout the six-county study area will be evaluated
programmatically, with recommendations being made for future detailed
analyses of feasible alternatives.
(3) Scoping. In February and March of 2012, four scoping meetings
were held in the cities of Beaumont, Seabrook, Galveston and Freeport,
TX. The scoping process involved Federal, State and local agencies,
Federally-recognized Indian tribes, and other interested persons and
organizations. Comments were received for 30 days following each
scoping meeting. A total of 285 ideas were collected and these were
collated and screened into a detailed list of structural and non-
structural CSRM and ER measures that are being considered during this
study. At this time, there are no plans for an additional scoping
meeting. However, input from affected Federal, state and local
agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested private
organizations and parties is being solicited with this notice.
(4) Coordination. Further coordination with environmental agencies
will be conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Fish
and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean
Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the National Historic Preservation Act,
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and the
Coastal Zone Management Act under the Texas Coastal Management Program.
(5) DIFR-EIS Preparation. It is estimated that the DIFR-EIS will be
available to the public for review and comment in August, 2015.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-27723 Filed 11-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
