Engineers Corps June 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Currituck Sound Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study. The feasibility study is a cost-shared effort, being conducted in partnership with the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR), to recommend Federal actions for ecosystem restoration in Currituck Sound. The study is taking a watershed perspective to develop and evaluate alternatives to restore and enhance ecosystem resources in a holistic, collaborative manner, and to ensure full participation of all stakeholders. Significant environmental resources to be addressed during project studies and in the DEIS include, but are not limited to: (1) Endangered and threatened species; (2) Marine and estuarine resources; (3) Fish and wildlife and their habitats, including essential fish habitat; (4) Water quality; (5) Socioeconomic resources; and (6) Cultural resources. Efforts will be made to enhance resource conditions and minimize adverse impacts. The lead Federal agency for this study is the USACE, Wilmington District. As stated above, the NCDWR is the lead State agency and a full cost-sharing partner in the conduct of this study. The DEIS is being prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and will address the relationship of the proposed action to all other applicable Federal and State Laws and Executive Orders. The DEIS is currently scheduled for distribution to the public February 2012.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to amend its regulations for two existing danger zones that are located adjacent to the rifle range and pistol range at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina. These danger zones were established in the 1960s. The proposed amendments include reformatting the existing regulations for clarity, modifying the boundaries of the danger zones, and modifying the hours of range operations from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. These amendments will enhance the ability of the U.S. Marine Corps to provide for the safe operation of the existing rifle and pistol ranges.

In September 2009, the Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Los Angeles Harbor Department published a joint final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR), including the Corps' draft general conformity determination (Section 3.2 and Appendix D.7), for the Federal action associated with the San Pedro Waterfront Project (Project) in the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. Comments were received on the final EIS/EIR and included draft general conformity determination until October 29, 2009. A general conformity determination was necessary because Project construction would require Federal action (i.e., issuance of a Corps permit for work and structures in and over navigable waters, discharges of fill into waters of the U.S., and transport and disposal of dredged material in ocean waters) and not all the Federal action's direct and indirect emissions would be below specified de minimis thresholds (40 CFR 93.153(b)). On May 9, 2011 and May 11, 2011, the Corps made a final general conformity determination and completed its environmental review and executed the Record of Decision (ROD), respectively, for the Federal action associated with the Project. The Corps considered and responded to all comments received in making the final general conformity determination and executing the ROD. The public can request copies of the final general conformity determination document or the ROD from the Corps at the address listed below, or can view or download the final general conformity determination document from the Corps' Web site (https:// www.spl.usace.army.mil/regulatory/POLA.htm, scroll down to the link under San Pedro Waterfront [formerly Bridge to Breakwater]) or the Port of Los Angeles' Web site (https://www.portoflosangeles.org/environment/ public_notices.asp, scroll down to link under San Pedro Waterfront Project). In addition, copies of the final general conformity document are available for review during the next 30 days at the following libraries: L.A. Public Library, Central Branch, 630 West 5th Street, Los Angeles California; L.A. Public Library, San Pedro Branch, 931 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro, California; and L.A. Public Library, Wilmington Branch, 1300 North Avalon, Wilmington, California.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been completed and is available for review and comment.