[Federal Register: March 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 45)]
[Notices]               
[Page 11453-11454]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09mr99-60]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

 
Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for a Proposed Storm Damage Reduction Project from Great Egg Harbor 
Inlet to Townsends Inlet, Cape May County, New Jersey

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The action being taken is an evaluation of the alternatives 
for storm damage reduction and the control of further erosion for the 
communities of Ocean City, Strathmere and Sea Isle City, Cape May 
County, New Jersey. The

[[Page 11454]]

purpose of any consequent work would be to provide shore property 
protection and to stabilize the shoreline at a predetermined width.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the DEIS should be 
addressed to Mr. Steve Allen, (215) 656-6559, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, CENAP-PL-E, Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, 
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3390.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Proposed Action

    a. The proposed document evaluates a study area located on the 
southern Atlantic coast of New Jersey in Cape May County, extending 
approximately 24.1 Kilometers from Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends 
Inlet. The study area includes the beaches, nearshore areas and 
offshore areas along the coastline. This area is subject to severe 
damages due to major storm events.
    b. The authority for the proposed project is the resolution adopted 
by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and 
Transportation and the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public 
Works dated December 1987.

2. Alternatives

    In addition to the no action alternative, the alternatives 
considered for storm damage reduction will fall into structural and 
non-structural categories. The structural measures being evaluated for 
storm damage reduction include, but will not be limited to beach (berm 
and dune) restoration/nourishment, bulkheads, seawalls, revetments, 
offshore breakwaters, groins, beach sills, or combinations thereof. 
Non-structural measures being considered are development regulations, 
and land acquisition.

3. Scoping

    a. This study is the sixth of six interim feasibility studies 
addressing long-term storm damage reduction along the New Jersey 
Coastline. The Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet study area was 
identified in the New Jersey Shore Protection Study, Report of Limited 
Reconnaissance Study (1990), as one of the primary areas to be 
recommended for further study in the feasibility phase.
    b. The scoping process is on-going and has involved preliminary 
coordination with Federal, State, and local agencies. Participation of 
the general public and other interested parties and organizations were 
invited by means of a public notice. Based on the input of these 
agencies and the interested public, a decision to have a formal scoping 
meeting will be made.
    c. The significant issues and concerns that have been identified 
include the impacts of the project on aquatic biota, fisheries, water 
quality, intertidal habitat, shallow water habitat, cultural resources, 
and socio-economics.

4. Availability

    It is estimated the DEIS will be made available to the public in FY 
2000 but is contingent on fund allocation by Congress.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-5775 Filed 3-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-GR-M