Department of Defense November 22, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), DoD announces the proposed extension of a public information collection requirement and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. DoD invites comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this information collection requirement for use through January 31, 2014. DoD proposes that OMB extend its approval for three additional years.

The Department of the Army announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Modernization and Repair of Piers 2 and 3 at Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO). The DEIS evaluates the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects that could result from the partial demolition of existing Pier 2 and reconstruction of structural elements; replacement of pier-side infrastructure and supporting facilities at Pier 2; upgrades to shore- side roads and electrical infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of Piers 2 and 3; removal and replacement/repair of piles and selected structural elements at Pier 3; and maintenance dredging to -32 feet mean lower low water plus 2 feet overdepth dredging at select areas around Pier 2 (up to 3,800 cubic yards). Environmental consequences were evaluated for noise; air quality; geology, topography, and soils; water resources; biological resources; land use and coastal zone management; transportation; infrastructure; visual resources; recreational resources; socioeconomics; environmental justice and protection of children; cultural resources; and hazardous materials, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and contaminated sites. Based on the analysis described in the DEIS, all impacts are anticipated to be less than significant. The DEIS evaluates the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects of three action alternatives and the No Action Alternative. Alternative 1 fully implements repairs to Piers 2 and 3 with Pier 2 re- oriented to align the west end with the existing shipping channel to create a more modernized configuration. Alternative 2 would use the same structural system as Alternative 1 and fully implement repairs to Piers 2 and 3; however, the Pier 2 footprint would remain in its present location. Alternative 3 would fully implement repairs to Piers 2 and 3, reorienting Pier 2 to create a more modernized configuration but with a larger deck surface and heavier load-carrying capacity than that proposed under Alternative 1. Under the No Action Alternative, the modernization and repair of Pier 2 and the repair of Pier 3 at MOTCO would not occur, and Pier 3 would continue to be used with loading restrictions for the remainder of its service life (estimated to be 2019).