Engineers Corps – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On September 22, 2008, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division (Corps) in coordination with the Los Angeles Harbor Department (LAHD) completed and published the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the San Pedro Waterfront Project (Project) in the Port of Los Angeles. The Corps and LAHD considered all comments received in preparing the Final EIS/EIR, which is available for a 30-day review. The Final EIS/ EIR includes a draft general conformity determination (see Section 3.2 and Appendix D.7), pursuant to Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act. A general conformity determination is necessary because Project construction would require Federal action (i.e., issuance of a Corps permit for activities proposed in and over navigable waters and waters of the U.S.) and not all the Federal action's direct and indirect emissions would be below specified de minimis thresholds (40 CFR 93.153(b)). Pursuant to the general conformity regulations (40 CFR part 93, subpart B), general conformity determinations do not have to be included in the EIS and can be separately noticed, but the draft general conformity determination for the Federal action associated with the Project is being included in the Final EIS/EIR in this case.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Inc. (EKPC) has applied for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to authorize unavoidable impacts to jurisdictional waters of the U.S. pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (Section 404) and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (Section 10). EKPC is proposing to construct and operate a 278 megawatt circulating fluidized bed electric generating unit (CFB) and associated infrastructure at the existing J.K. Smith Power Station (the Smith Site) in southern Clark County, Kentucky (Proposed Action). In addition to the CFB unit, other components of the Proposed Action on the Smith Site include: An approximately one-mile, 345 kV electric transmission line; two (2) beneficial reuse structural fills using coal combustion by-products (CCB); two (2) landfills for the on-site disposal of CCB; an emergency drought water storage reservoir; several soil borrow areas for landfill cover and other site development uses; and a new water intake/outfall structure in the Kentucky River.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore (NAB) and Norfolk (NAO) Districts published a Notice of Intent (NOI) (71 FR 14857) for the Chesapeake Bay Native Oyster Recovery study on March 24, 2006. That NOI announced that the USACE Baltimore and Norfolk Districts would prepare a single, integrated Native Oyster Restoration Master Plan (NORMP) and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for native oyster recovery in the entire Chesapeake Bay (including both Maryland and Virginia). The USACE is undertaking native oyster recovery in the Chesapeake Bay to support efforts to reverse the ongoing decline in oyster resources throughout the Bay.

In accordance with section 105(h) of the Estuary Restoration Act of 2000, as amended (Title I, Pub. L. 106-457), announcement is made of the forthcoming meeting of the Estuary Habitat Restoration Council. The meeting is open to the public.

In the July 15, 2009, issue of the Federal Register (74 FR 34311) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a proposal to take two actions concerning Nationwide Permit 21, which authorizes discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States for surface coal mining activities. The two proposed actions are to suspend NWP 21 to prohibit its use to authorize surface coal mining activities in the Appalachian region of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, and then to modify NWP 21 to make that prohibition permanent until NWP 21 expires on March 18, 2012. In the July 15, 2009, notice we also offered commenters opportunity to request a public hearing. In the August 13, 2009, issue of the Federal Register (74 FR 40815), we extended the comment period to September 14, 2009. We have received several requests to hold public hearings, and have determined that hearings would afford us the opportunity to gain additional information to assist us in reaching decisions on these two proposed actions. Therefore, we will be holding public hearings in each of the six affected states. Written comments to supplement the hearing records may be submitted until October 26, 2009.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intends to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)Louisiana, Modification of Davis Pond Diversion Project. This modification project will be designed to increase wetland restoration outputs. This supplemental EIS will be tiered off of the programmatic final EIS for the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA)Louisiana, Ecosystem Restoration Study, November 2004, and the final EIS for the LCALouisiana, Freshwater Diversion to Barataria and Breton Sound Basins Study, September 1984. The record of decision (ROD) for the programmatic final EIS was signed on November 18, 2005 and the ROD for the freshwater diversion final EIS was signed on July 16, 1987.

Herbert Hoover Dike is the levee and water control system that provides flood protection to communities surrounding Lake Okeechobee. The purpose of this project is to evaluate rehabilitation solutions for Reaches 2 and 3 of the dike so that the authorized level of flood protection can be provided to reduce the risk of a catastrophic failure or breach of the embankment. Reaches 2 and 3 of the HHD extend for approximately 27 miles between an area west of Belle Glade, Palm Beach County to east of Moore Haven, Glades County, FL. On July 8 2005, the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the Major Rehabilitation actions proposed for Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD), Reach 1. On September 23, 2005, a Record of Decision was signed adopting the preferred alternative as the Selected Plan for Reach 1.

The purpose of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is to

The public scoping comment period for the Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Regional Watershed Supply Project by Million Conservation Resource Group, published in the Federal Register on Friday, March 20, 2009 (74 FR 11920), required comments be submitted May 19, 2009 following publication in the Federal Register. The comment period was later extended to July 27, 2009, to accommodate requests from entities that desired more time and from areas that desired additional public meetings. The comment period has now been extended to September 28, 2009. Due to number of cooperating agency requests received, the Corps is extending the comment period to allow for additional time to respond to these requests. During this time period, the Corps will communicate with certain entities regarding the possibility of consolidating participation through designation of a single point of contact to represent multiple entities.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a document in the Federal Register of July 2, 2009, listing water resources projects deauthorized on March 29, 2009. The document incorrectly included the Baltimore Harbor and Channels, MD & VA (50-ft Deepening) project.

The purpose of the project is to reconstruct and rehabilitate Reaches 1B, 1C and 1D of the Herbert Hoover Dike to prevent catastrophic failure of the system to retain the waters of Lake Okeechobee. On July 8 2005, the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the Major Rehabilitation actions proposed for Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD), Reach One. Herbert Hoover Dike is the levee that completely surrounds Lake Okeechobee. On September 23, 2005, a Record of Decision was signed adopting the preferred alternative as the Selected Plan for Reach One.

The Corps will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate project alternatives and the public interest review factors for the proposed supercritical pulverized coal/biomass steam power electric generation facility.

The action being taken is the preparation of an environmental impact statement/environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the West Sacramento Project, California, General Reevaluation Report (GRR). The GRR will re-evaluate the currently authorized plan as well as develop and evaluate opportunities to reduce flood risk, increase recreation, and restore the ecosystem along the Sacramento River in and around the City of West Sacramento.

The Vicksburg District, Corps of Engineers, is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for the proposed Potable Water Supply Project for Washington Parish, Louisiana, is terminated. The original Notice of Intent for this EIS process was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2008 (73 FR 16653).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (Corps) in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department (LAHD) is examining the feasibility of waterside terminal and transportation improvements at Berths 302-306 in the Port of Los Angeles. The Corps is considering the LAHD's application for a Department of the Army permit under section 10 of the River and Harbor Act and potentially section 404 of the Clean Water Act to construct wharf/docking facilities, perform dredging, construct container loading apparatus (i.e., cranes), and other ancillary improvements within 100 feet land side of the waters' edge associated with the Berths 302-306 [American President Lines (APL)] Container Terminal Project (proposed project). Dredging up to 75,000 cubic yards (cy) may be required for the proposed project, and any proposed offshore disposal at the LA-2 disposal site would also trigger review under section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA).

The Corps of Engineers is publishing the list of water resources projects deauthorized under the provisions of section 1001(b)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, Public Law 99-662, as amended, (33 U.S.C 579a(b)(2)), and lists of projects removed from the deauthorization list due to obligations of funds, or deauthorized earlier.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District (USACE) has received an application for a Department of the Army permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) from The Sabine Mining Company (SMC) to construct, operate, and reclaim the South Hallsville No. 1 Lignite MineRusk Permit Area. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the USACE has determined that issuance of such a permit may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment and, therefore, requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District (Corps), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Elverta Specific Plan project, a proposed master planned community in Sacramento County, CA. The Elverta Owners Group has applied for Department of Army permits to fill approximately 39 acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands, to construct this project.

Analyses of foreseeable environmental impacts from potential actions in the vicinity of Trilby Wash and the McMicken Dam project area located near the Cities of Surprise, Sun City, El Mirage Litchfield Park and Goodyear, Maricopa County, Arizona will commence. No explicit plans have been advanced as yet, so contents of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) remain to be determined during the public scoping process. The Trilby Wash Study area encompasses the Trilby Wash watershed upstream and downstream from the McMicken Dam Project which includes: McMicken Dam, McMicken Dam Outlet Channel and McMicken Dam Outlet Wash, approximately 9 miles, 6 miles, and 4 miles respectively in length. The McMiken Dam Outlet Wash discharges to the Agua Fria River in Maricopa County, Central Arizona.

The public scoping comment period for the Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Regional Watershed Supply Project by Million Conservation Resource Group, published in the Federal Register on Friday, March 20, 2009 (74 FR 11920), required comments be submitted by May 19, 2009 following publication in the Federal Register. The comment period has been extended to July 27, 2009. In addition, the COE will be conducting two additional public scoping meetings to describe the Project, preliminary alternatives, the NEPA compliance process, and to solicit input on the issues and alternatives to be evaluated and other related matters.

The Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers today withdraws its Notice of Intent (67 FR 65342, October 24, 2002) to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the St. Charles International Airport Project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (Regulatory Division), in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Game, has completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Newhall Ranch Resource Management and Development Plan and Spineflower Conservation Plan. The project proponent and landowner, The Newhall Land and Farming Company, requires a long-term Section 404 permit from the Corps of Engineers for permanent impacts to approximately 82.3 acres of waters of the United States, including 8.69 acres of wetlands, for the construction of various facilities in waters of the United States associated with the development of a new community composed of a broad range of residential, mixed-use and nonresidential land uses in the 12,000-acre project area located in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, California.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (Corps) and the Los Angeles Harbor Department (LAHD) have prepared a joint Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIS/SEIR) for the Port of Los Angeles Channel Deepening Project, Los Angeles County, California. The Corps and the LAHD have reviewed the written and oral comments received during the August 6, 2008 public hearing and during the public comment period for the Draft SEIS/SEIR. The Corps is publishing a Notice of Availability for the Final SEIS/EIR and Draft CD in the Federal Register for public review. The document will also be placed at public libraries in the vicinity of the project area and distributed to the concerned resource agencies and the public who has provided comment on the Draft SEIS/SEIR.

In November 2007, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division (Corps) in coordination with the Los Angeles Harbor Department (LAHD) completed and published a joint Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/ EIR) for the Berths 136-147 [TraPac] Container Terminal Project (Project) in the Port of Los Angeles. On November 14, 2008, the Corps published an Addendum to the Final EIS, including a Draft General Conformity Determination, for the Federal action associated with the Project. Comments were received on the Addendum to the Final EIS and Draft General Conformity Determination until December 15, 2008. A General Conformity Determination was required 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 air emissions would be below specified de minimis thresholds (40 CFR 93.153(b)). On March 12, 2009, the Corps completed its environmental review and made a Final General Conformity Determination, executed the Record of Decision (ROD), and issued a Standard Individual Permit for the Federal action associated with the Project, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the River and Harbor Act, and Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. The Corps considered and responded to all comments received in making the Final General Conformity Determination, executing the ROD, and issuing the Corps permit. The pubic can request copies of the Final General Conformity Determination document or the

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), Wilmington District, Regulatory Division, has received a request for Department of the Army authorization, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, from the Town of Nags Head to dredge up to 4.6 million cubic yards of beach-quality sediment from an offshore borrow source, and deposit the material along approximately 10 miles of ocean shoreline in the Town of Nags Head.