Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Port of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Project, Los Angeles County, CA, 228 [2015-33166]

Download as PDF 228 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Notices of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: December 30, 2015. Sarah Brabson, NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–33152 Filed 1–4–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–JE–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Port of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Project, Los Angeles County, CA Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice of Intent. AGENCY: The Los Angeles District intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to support a cost-shared feasibility study with the Port of Long Beach, California, for navigation improvements to existing navigation channels within the Port. The purpose of the feasibility study is to provide safe, reliable, and efficient waterborne transportation improvements to the Port of Long Beach. The EIS will analyze potential impacts of the recommended plan and a range of alternatives for navigation improvements. Alternatives will include both structural and non-structural measures. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: You may submit your concerns in writing to the Los Angeles District at the address below. Comments, suggestions, and requests to be placed on the mailing list for announcements should be sent to Larry Smith, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, 915 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 930, Los Angeles, CA ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 Jan 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 90017–3401, or email to lawrence.j.smith@usace.army.mil. For further information contact Mr. Larry Smith, Project Environmental Coordinator, (213) 452–3846. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authorization: Resolution of the Senate Committee on Public Works adopted 11 May 1967 and the Resolution of the House Committee on Public Works adopted 10 July 1968. The Army Corps of Engineers intends to prepare an EIS to assess the environmental effects associated with proposed navigation improvements measures in the study area. Study Area: The Port of Long Beach is on the coast of southern California in San Pedro Bay, approximately 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, California. The communities of San Pedro and Wilmington are to the west and northwest of San Pedro Bay, respectively, and to the northeast the city of Long Beach. The study area includes the waters in the immediate vicinity (and shoreward) of the breakwaters through the entire Port of Long Beach and the downstream reaches of the Los Angeles River that have direct impact on the Bay, including Outer Harbor, Inner Harbor, Cerritos Channel, West Basin, and the Back Channel. Problems and Needs: The primary problem is the inefficient operation of deep draft vessels in secondary channels, which increases the Nation’s transportation costs. This study will address inefficiencies to container movements only. The following problem statements summarize these inefficiencies. (1) Due to depth limitations along channels accessing the Port’s container terminals, existing container vessels cannot load to their maximum draft, which is causing light-loading of vessels at the point of origin and delays to an increasing number of containerships. (2) The dimensions of the world-wide fleet of container vessels have increased significantly, and it is anticipated that this trend will continue into the future. Delays and light-loading due to container vessel draft limits will increase as new, larger vessels are added to the fleet. (3) There are diminished recreation opportunities and environmental degradation in coastal areas outside of the study area. Proposed Action and Alternatives: The Los Angeles District will investigate and evaluate all reasonable alternatives to address the problems and needs identified above. In addition to the NO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ACTION alternative, both structural (deepen the secondary access channel to Pier J, deepen the secondary access channel to Pier T West Basin, construct a turning basin in the secondary access channel to Pier J, construct a turning basin in the secondary access channel to Pier T West Basin, deepen the approach channel, or deepen the anchorage along the main channel, beneficial use of dredged material for recreation or ecosystem restoration) and nonstructural (high tide riding, light loading, and vessel re-routing) measures will be investigated. Previous Actions: Port of Long Beach Main Channel Deepening Project, Pier T Marine Terminal, Middle Harbor Redevelopment. Scoping: The scoping process is ongoing and has involved preliminary coordination with Federal, State, and local agencies. A public scoping meeting is scheduled on 19 January 2016, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Port of Long Beach Harbor Department Interim Administrative Offices; 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, California. The public will have an opportunity to express opinions and raise any issues relating to the scope of the Feasibility Study and the EIS. The public as well as Federal, State, and local agencies are encouraged to participate by submitting data, information, and comments identifying relevant environmental and socioeconomic issues to be addressed in the study. Useful information includes other environmental studies, published and unpublished data, alternatives that could be addressed in the analysis, and potential mitigation measures associated with the proposed action. All comments enter into the public record. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS is scheduled to be published and circulated in late 2016, and a public hearing to receive comments on the Draft EIS will be held after it is published. Dated: December 29, 2015. Dennis P. Sugrue, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Acting Commander and Acting District Engineer. [FR Doc. 2015–33166 Filed 1–4–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Orders Granting Authority To Import and Export Natural Gas, To Import and Export Liquefied Natural Gas, To Vacate Prior Authorization and Errata During November 2015 E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1

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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33166]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Port 
of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Project, Los Angeles County, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District intends to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to support a cost-shared feasibility study with 
the Port of Long Beach, California, for navigation improvements to 
existing navigation channels within the Port. The purpose of the 
feasibility study is to provide safe, reliable, and efficient 
waterborne transportation improvements to the Port of Long Beach. The 
EIS will analyze potential impacts of the recommended plan and a range 
of alternatives for navigation improvements. Alternatives will include 
both structural and non-structural measures.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your concerns in writing to the Los Angeles 
District at the address below. Comments, suggestions, and requests to 
be placed on the mailing list for announcements should be sent to Larry 
Smith, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, 915 Wilshire 
Boulevard, Suite 930, Los Angeles, CA 90017-3401, or email to 
lawrence.j.smith@usace.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Mr. 
Larry Smith, Project Environmental Coordinator, (213) 452-3846.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authorization: Resolution of the Senate 
Committee on Public Works adopted 11 May 1967 and the Resolution of the 
House Committee on Public Works adopted 10 July 1968. The Army Corps of 
Engineers intends to prepare an EIS to assess the environmental effects 
associated with proposed navigation improvements measures in the study 
area.
    Study Area: The Port of Long Beach is on the coast of southern 
California in San Pedro Bay, approximately 20 miles south of downtown 
Los Angeles, California. The communities of San Pedro and Wilmington 
are to the west and northwest of San Pedro Bay, respectively, and to 
the northeast the city of Long Beach. The study area includes the 
waters in the immediate vicinity (and shoreward) of the breakwaters 
through the entire Port of Long Beach and the downstream reaches of the 
Los Angeles River that have direct impact on the Bay, including Outer 
Harbor, Inner Harbor, Cerritos Channel, West Basin, and the Back 
Channel.
    Problems and Needs: The primary problem is the inefficient 
operation of deep draft vessels in secondary channels, which increases 
the Nation's transportation costs. This study will address 
inefficiencies to container movements only. The following problem 
statements summarize these inefficiencies.
    (1) Due to depth limitations along channels accessing the Port's 
container terminals, existing container vessels cannot load to their 
maximum draft, which is causing light-loading of vessels at the point 
of origin and delays to an increasing number of containerships.
    (2) The dimensions of the world-wide fleet of container vessels 
have increased significantly, and it is anticipated that this trend 
will continue into the future. Delays and light-loading due to 
container vessel draft limits will increase as new, larger vessels are 
added to the fleet.
    (3) There are diminished recreation opportunities and environmental 
degradation in coastal areas outside of the study area.
    Proposed Action and Alternatives: The Los Angeles District will 
investigate and evaluate all reasonable alternatives to address the 
problems and needs identified above. In addition to the NO ACTION 
alternative, both structural (deepen the secondary access channel to 
Pier J, deepen the secondary access channel to Pier T West Basin, 
construct a turning basin in the secondary access channel to Pier J, 
construct a turning basin in the secondary access channel to Pier T 
West Basin, deepen the approach channel, or deepen the anchorage along 
the main channel, beneficial use of dredged material for recreation or 
ecosystem restoration) and non-structural (high tide riding, light 
loading, and vessel re-routing) measures will be investigated.
    Previous Actions: Port of Long Beach Main Channel Deepening 
Project, Pier T Marine Terminal, Middle Harbor Redevelopment.
    Scoping: The scoping process is ongoing and has involved 
preliminary coordination with Federal, State, and local agencies. A 
public scoping meeting is scheduled on 19 January 2016, from 2:00 to 
4:00 p.m. at the Port of Long Beach Harbor Department Interim 
Administrative Offices; 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, 
California. The public will have an opportunity to express opinions and 
raise any issues relating to the scope of the Feasibility Study and the 
EIS. The public as well as Federal, State, and local agencies are 
encouraged to participate by submitting data, information, and comments 
identifying relevant environmental and socioeconomic issues to be 
addressed in the study. Useful information includes other environmental 
studies, published and unpublished data, alternatives that could be 
addressed in the analysis, and potential mitigation measures associated 
with the proposed action. All comments enter into the public record.
    Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS is scheduled to be 
published and circulated in late 2016, and a public hearing to receive 
comments on the Draft EIS will be held after it is published.

    Dated: December 29, 2015.
Dennis P. Sugrue,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Acting Commander and Acting District 
Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2015-33166 Filed 1-4-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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