Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers May 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), on November 1, 2018, the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) initiated the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process to identify and analyze potential impacts associated with risk management measures as a part of the Federal feasibility study for the New York and New Jersey Harbor Anchorages. Currently, the Corps has identified a Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) that includes a modification of a single anchorage within Gravesend Bay, expanding it to 3,600 feet and 50 feet in depth, to improve the safety and efficiency of port operations. Preliminary analysis of the TSP indicates no significant impacts are expected, therefore the Corps is terminating the EIS process and is withdrawing the Notice of Intent published in the Thursday, November 1, 2018 issue of the Federal Register. Instead, an Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared. It is anticipated that a draft of the integrated General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Assessment (GRR/EA) will be available for a 30-day public comment period beginning later in 2019.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is preparing a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) to analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of a proposed transportation project, the Niobrara East and West Project. Construction of the proposed Project is expected to result in temporary and permanent impacts to jurisdictional waters of the United States, thereby requiring a Clean Water Act section 404 permit proposed by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT). NDOT proposes to rehabilitate two segments of N-12 east and west of Niobrara, between Verdel and Santee Spur 54-D (S-54D) in Knox County, Nebraska. A Draft EIS for this project was released on October 9, 2015. A public open house and hearing was held on November 9, 2015. After the public comment period ended, NDOT elected to withdraw its Section 404 permit application on November 20, 2015. Since that time, NDOT has developed a modified project purpose and need, and alternatives responsive to this purpose and need.