Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Houston Ship Channel 45-Foot Expansion Channel Improvement Project (HSC ECIP), Harris and Chambers Counties, Texas, 17450-17451 [2016-07061]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 60 / Tuesday, March 29, 2016 / Notices
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Dated: March 24, 2016.
Aaron Siegel,
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Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2016–07029 Filed 3–28–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Houston Ship Channel 45-Foot
Expansion Channel Improvement
Project (HSC ECIP), Harris and
Chambers Counties, Texas
AGENCY:
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) intends to prepare
an environmental impact statement
(EIS) for the Houston Ship Channel 45Foot Expansion Channel Improvement
Project (HSC ECIP), Harris and
Chambers Counties, Texas.
This study will identify and evaluate
a combination of modifications to the
HSC to improve the efficiency and
safety of the HSC system. A 905(b)
report recommending a cost shared
feasibility-level study was approved on
September 22, 2015.
DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section for scoping meeting dates.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:43 Mar 28, 2016
Jkt 238001
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions concerning the draft EIS
should be addressed to Ms. Tammy
Gilmore, CEMVN–PDN–CEP, P.O. Box
60267, New Orleans, LA 70160–0267;
telephone: (504) 862–1002; fax: (504)
862–1583; or by email:
tammy.h.gilmore@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority. Public Law 91–611; Title
II—Flood Control Act of 1970, Section
216 dated December 31, 1970. The study
is being performed in response to the
standing authority of Section 216 of the
Flood Control Act of 1970, as amended.
2. Proposed Action. In general, the
entire HSC will be evaluated for up to
date current and projected vessel size
and traffic. The study focus will include
deepening and widening opportunities
of the upper reach of the HSC referred
to as Boggy Bayou to the Main Turning
Basin; improvements to side channels,
Bayport Ship Channel and Barbour’s
Cut Channel; and Galveston Bay Reach
safety and efficiency enhancements.
Details of the study include the
following 5 separable elements:
HSC—Boggy Bayou to I–610 Bridge:
This analysis would evaluate deepening
and widening the 8-mile portion of the
HSC from Boggy Bayou to the Interstate
610 Bridge (mile 40 to mile 48) to a
depth beyond the existing 40 feet (Boggy
Bayou to Sims Bayou) and a width
greater than the existing 300 feet (in 50foot increments) and possibly
improvements to turning basin and
mooring areas.
HSC—I–610 Bridge to Main Turning
Basin: This analysis would evaluate the
deepening and widening of the 4-mile
portion of the HSC from the Interstate I–
610 Bridge to the Main Turning Basin
(mile 48 to mile 52) to a depth beyond
the existing 36 feet (in 2-foot
increments), a new turning basin near
Brays Bayou, and revisit dimensions of
existing turning basins and mooring
areas.
Bayport Ship Channel: The 4.1 mile
long Bayport Ship Channel is currently
authorized to a depth of 40 feet. The
Port of Houston Authority (PHA) has the
authority under 33 U.S.C. Section 408 to
deepen the channel to 45 feet and widen
the bay portions of the channel 100 feet
and widen the constricted portion of the
channel within the land cut 50 feet.
This analysis would evaluate whether to
include the PHA’s channel deepening
for Federal authorization. The analysis
would also evaluate widening to a
width greater than 350 feet (25-foot
increments). Other opportunities in this
area are to evaluate the need for open
water turning basin, and adding jetty/
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
structures for minimizing shoaling and
flare improvements.
Barbours Cut Channel: The 1.1 mile
long Barbour’s Cut Channel is currently
authorized to a depth of 40 feet. The
PHA has the authority, under 33 U.S.C.
Section 408, to deepen the channel to 45
feet. This analysis would evaluate
whether to include the PHA’s channel
deepening for Federal authorization.
The analysis would also evaluate
widening to a width greater than 300
feet (25-foot increments). Other
opportunities in this area are to evaluate
the need for open water turning basin
and flare improvements.
Bay-reach safety and efficiency
enhancements: This analysis would
evaluate whether to construct an
anchorage basin in or near Galveston
Bay, the need of selectively widening
the existing 530 feet wide HSC to
develop passing lanes or improved
vessel meeting opportunities; evaluate
improvements to channel turns and
bends; and evaluate the depth of the
existing barge lanes.
3. Public Involvement. Public
involvement, an essential part of the
NEPA 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 EIS process will be strongly
encouraged, both formally and
informally, to enhance the probability of
a more technically accurate,
economically feasible, and socially
acceptable EIS. 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; public
and scoping notices and meetings;
public, stakeholder and advisory groups
consultation and meetings; and making
the EIS 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
EIS, will be used to: (a) Identify the
affected public and agency concerns; (b)
facilitate an efficient EIS preparation
process; (c) define the issues and
alternatives that will be examined in
detail in the EIS; and (d) save time in
the overall process by helping to ensure
E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM
29MRN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 60 / Tuesday, March 29, 2016 / Notices
that the draft EIS adequately addresses
relevant issues. A Scoping Meeting
Notice announcing the locations, dates
and times for scoping meetings is
anticipated to be posted on the PHA and
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Web sites
and published in the local newspaper in
April 2016.
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, the
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) and the Texas Park and Wildlife
Department (TPWD) 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 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 Office.
Coordination will be maintained with
the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to assure
no interruption with navigation.
Coordination will be maintained with
the Texas Department of Transportation
(TXDOT) to assure limited interruption
to highway traffic. The Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ) will be coordinated with to
obtain Water Quality Certification. The
Texas General Land Office (GLO) will be
coordinated with on coastal
management.
5. Availability of Draft EIS. The
earliest that the draft EIS will be
available for public review would be in
2017. The draft EIS or a notice of
availability will be distributed to
affected Federal, state, and local
agencies, Indian tribes, and other
interested parties.
Dated: March 21, 2016.
Richard P. Pannell,
Colonel, U.S. Army, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2016–07061 Filed 3–28–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:43 Mar 28, 2016
Jkt 238001
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of
Engineers
Meeting of the Chief of Engineers
Environmental Advisory Board
AGENCY:
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of open Federal advisory
committee meeting.
SUMMARY:
The Department of the Army
is publishing this notice to announce
the following Federal advisory
committee meeting of the Chief of
Engineers, Environmental Advisory
Board (EAB). This meeting is open to
the public. For additional information
about the EAB, please visit the
committee’s Web site at https://www.
usace.army.mil/Missions/
Environmental/EnvironmentalAdvisory
Board.aspx.
DATES: The meeting will be held from 9
a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 27, 2016. Public
registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The EAB meeting will be
conducted at The Residence Inn
Washington, DC Downtown, located at
1199 Vermont Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20005, (202) 898–1100.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Mindy M. Simmons, the Designated
Federal Officer (DFO) for the committee,
in writing at U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, ATTN: CECW–P, 441 G St.
NW.; Washington, DC 20314; by
telephone at 202–761–4127; and by
email at Mindy.M.Simmons@
usace.army.mil. Alternatively, contact
Ms. Anne Cann, the Alternate
Designated Federal Officer (ADFO), in
writing at the Institute for Water
Resources, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, ATTN: CEIWR–GW, 7701
Telegraph Road, Casey Building,
Alexandria, VA 22315–3868; by
telephone at 703–428–7166; and by
email at Anne.R.Cann@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
committee meeting is being held under
the provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C.,
Appendix, as amended), the
Government in the Sunshine Act of
1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and
41 CFR 102–3.150.
Purpose of the Meeting: The EAB will
advise the Chief of Engineers on
environmental policy, identification and
resolution of environmental issues and
missions, and addressing challenges,
problems, and opportunities in an
environmentally responsible manner.
The EAB is interested in written and
verbal comments from the public
relevant to these purposes.
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Fmt 4703
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17451
Proposed Agenda: At this meeting the
agenda will include discussions and
presentations on ongoing work plan
efforts including: ecosystem restoration
project prioritization criteria, ecosystem
goods and services, and aging
infrastructure and aquatic ecosystem
integrity. The EAB will also discuss
modifications to their work plan. The
EAB will also hear presentations from
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on its
sustainability and resilience programs.
Availability of Materials for the
Meeting. A copy of the agenda or any
updates to the agenda for the April 27,
2016 meeting will be available at the
meeting. The final version will be
provided at the meeting. All materials
will be posted to the Web site after the
meeting.
Public Accessibility to the Meeting:
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended,
and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102–
3.165, and subject to the availability of
space, this meeting is open to the
public. Registration of members of the
public who wish to attend the meeting
will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the
meeting. Seating is limited and is on a
first-to-arrive basis. Attendees will be
asked to provide their name, title,
affiliation, and contact information to
include email address and daytime
telephone number at registration. Any
interested person may attend the
meeting, file written comments or
statements with the committee, or make
verbal comments from the floor during
the public meeting, at the times, and in
the manner, permitted by the
committee, as set forth below.
Special Accommodations: The
meeting venue is fully handicap
accessible, with wheelchair access.
Individuals requiring special
accommodations to access the public
meeting or seeking additional
information about public access
procedures, should contact Ms.
Simmons, the committee DFO, or Ms.
Cann, the ADFO, at the email addresses
or telephone numbers listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section,
at least five (5) business days prior to
the meeting so that appropriate
arrangements can be made.
Written Comments or Statements:
Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and
102–3.140 and section 10(a)(3) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, the
public or interested organizations may
submit written comments or statements
to the EAB about its mission and/or the
topics to be addressed in this public
meeting. Written comments or
statements should be submitted to Ms.
Simmons, the committee DFO, or Ms.
Cann, the committee ADFO, via
electronic mail, the preferred mode of
E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17450-17451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07061]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Houston Ship Channel 45-Foot Expansion Channel Improvement Project (HSC
ECIP), Harris and Chambers Counties, Texas
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 an
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Houston Ship Channel 45-
Foot Expansion Channel Improvement Project (HSC ECIP), Harris and
Chambers Counties, Texas.
This study will identify and evaluate a combination of
modifications to the HSC to improve the efficiency and safety of the
HSC system. A 905(b) report recommending a cost shared feasibility-
level study was approved on September 22, 2015.
DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for scoping meeting dates.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the draft EIS
should be addressed to Ms. Tammy Gilmore, CEMVN-PDN-CEP, P.O. Box
60267, New Orleans, LA 70160-0267; telephone: (504) 862-1002; fax:
(504) 862-1583; or by email: tammy.h.gilmore@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority. Public Law 91-611; Title II--Flood Control Act of
1970, Section 216 dated December 31, 1970. The study is being performed
in response to the standing authority of Section 216 of the Flood
Control Act of 1970, as amended.
2. Proposed Action. In general, the entire HSC will be evaluated
for up to date current and projected vessel size and traffic. The study
focus will include deepening and widening opportunities of the upper
reach of the HSC referred to as Boggy Bayou to the Main Turning Basin;
improvements to side channels, Bayport Ship Channel and Barbour's Cut
Channel; and Galveston Bay Reach safety and efficiency enhancements.
Details of the study include the following 5 separable elements:
HSC--Boggy Bayou to I-610 Bridge: This analysis would evaluate
deepening and widening the 8-mile portion of the HSC from Boggy Bayou
to the Interstate 610 Bridge (mile 40 to mile 48) to a depth beyond the
existing 40 feet (Boggy Bayou to Sims Bayou) and a width greater than
the existing 300 feet (in 50-foot increments) and possibly improvements
to turning basin and mooring areas.
HSC--I-610 Bridge to Main Turning Basin: This analysis would
evaluate the deepening and widening of the 4-mile portion of the HSC
from the Interstate I-610 Bridge to the Main Turning Basin (mile 48 to
mile 52) to a depth beyond the existing 36 feet (in 2-foot increments),
a new turning basin near Brays Bayou, and revisit dimensions of
existing turning basins and mooring areas.
Bayport Ship Channel: The 4.1 mile long Bayport Ship Channel is
currently authorized to a depth of 40 feet. The Port of Houston
Authority (PHA) has the authority under 33 U.S.C. Section 408 to deepen
the channel to 45 feet and widen the bay portions of the channel 100
feet and widen the constricted portion of the channel within the land
cut 50 feet. This analysis would evaluate whether to include the PHA's
channel deepening for Federal authorization. The analysis would also
evaluate widening to a width greater than 350 feet (25-foot
increments). Other opportunities in this area are to evaluate the need
for open water turning basin, and adding jetty/structures for
minimizing shoaling and flare improvements.
Barbours Cut Channel: The 1.1 mile long Barbour's Cut Channel is
currently authorized to a depth of 40 feet. The PHA has the authority,
under 33 U.S.C. Section 408, to deepen the channel to 45 feet. This
analysis would evaluate whether to include the PHA's channel deepening
for Federal authorization. The analysis would also evaluate widening to
a width greater than 300 feet (25-foot increments). Other opportunities
in this area are to evaluate the need for open water turning basin and
flare improvements.
Bay-reach safety and efficiency enhancements: This analysis would
evaluate whether to construct an anchorage basin in or near Galveston
Bay, the need of selectively widening the existing 530 feet wide HSC to
develop passing lanes or improved vessel meeting opportunities;
evaluate improvements to channel turns and bends; and evaluate the
depth of the existing barge lanes.
3. Public Involvement. Public involvement, an essential part of the
NEPA 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
EIS process will be strongly encouraged, both formally and informally,
to enhance the probability of a more technically accurate, economically
feasible, and socially acceptable EIS. 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; public and scoping notices and
meetings; public, stakeholder and advisory groups consultation and
meetings; and making the EIS 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 EIS, will be used to: (a) Identify the affected public
and agency concerns; (b) facilitate an efficient EIS preparation
process; (c) define the issues and alternatives that will be examined
in detail in the EIS; and (d) save time in the overall process by
helping to ensure
[[Page 17451]]
that the draft EIS adequately addresses relevant issues. A Scoping
Meeting Notice announcing the locations, dates and times for scoping
meetings is anticipated to be posted on the PHA and U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers Web sites and published in the local newspaper in April 2016.
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, the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Texas Park and Wildlife Department
(TPWD) 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 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
Office. Coordination will be maintained with the U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG) to assure no interruption with navigation. Coordination will be
maintained with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) to
assure limited interruption to highway traffic. The Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will be coordinated with to obtain Water
Quality Certification. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) will be
coordinated with on coastal management.
5. Availability of Draft EIS. The earliest that the draft EIS will
be available for public review would be in 2017. The draft EIS or a
notice of availability will be distributed to affected Federal, state,
and local agencies, Indian tribes, and other interested parties.
Dated: March 21, 2016.
Richard P. Pannell,
Colonel, U.S. Army, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2016-07061 Filed 3-28-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
