[Federal Register: April 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 71)]
[Notices]
[Page 18641]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13ap07-45]
[[Page 18641]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Jacksonville Harbor Navigation Study, General Re-
Evaluation Report, Located in Duval County, FL
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville
District, intends to prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (DSEIS), for the Jacksonville Harbor Navigation Study,
General Re-Evaluation Report. This action is a cooperative effort
between the Corps and the Jacksonville Harbor Port Authority.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division,
Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Stodola, by e-mail
Paul.E.Stodola@saj02.usace.army.mil or by telephone at (904) 232-3271.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
a. The Jacksonville Part Authority has requested that the Corps
study the feasibility of further deepening the Port of Jacksonville.
The proposed DSEIS for additional deepening would supplement the
Jacksonville Harbor Navigation Improvements EIS completed in July 1996.
Authorization for the study is contained in House Report 107-681 and
the Senate explanatory statement as delineated in the Congressional
Record of January 15, 2003, pages S492 and S546.
b. Objectives. The objectives of the study are to determine if
light loading of ships, tidal delay, or other commercial navigation
benefits exist to justify additional deepening below the existing 40-
foot project depth from the entrance channel to river mile 20 and for
Cuts F and G of the West Blount Island Channel; evaluate measures
including wideners along the Trout River Cut Range, and Quarantine
(Bartram) Island Upper Range which would reduce navigation concerns and
improve ship traffic safety; examine the impact of channel deepening on
the capacity of existing upland confined disposal facilities and the
offshore dredge material disposal site; evaluate new upland confined
disposal facilities, if required; determine if beneficial uses of
dredged material such as manufactured soils, recycling of dredged
material for construction fill, development of artificial reefs, or use
of beach quality material for placement along adjacent beaches would
provide appropriate alternatives for disposal of dredged material;
evaluate the impact of deepening and widening measures on shoaling
rates for existing and advanced harbor maintenance needs; examine the
hydrodynamic and environmental effects of the deepening and widening
measures on Chicopit Bay, White Shells Bay, Mill Cove and adjacent
harbor shorelines; identify environmental and cultural resources in the
study area and potential impacts from deepening or widening to those
resources; identify the NED plan for Jacksonville Harbor which most
efficiently and safely accommodates existing and larger commercial ship
and barge traffic while avoiding or minimizing impacts to environmental
resources.
c. Alternatives. The proposed alternatives include making no
further improvements to the project (no action alternatives); deepening
the project channel in 1 foot increments from the existing depth of 40
feet from the entrance channel (mouth of St. Johns River) extending
upstream to river mile 20; constructing channel wideners; and dredged
material placement in upland disposal areas, artificial reefs, approved
beach areas, and the designated Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site.
d. Issues. The DEIS will consider the possible effects of blasting
on aquatic resources, loss of wetlands from expansion of upland
disposal areas at Bartram Island, as well as other project related
impacts on protected species, water quality, fish and wildlife
resources, cultural resources, essential fish habitat, socio-economic
resources coastal processes, aesthetics and recreation, and other
impacts identified through scoping, public involvement, and agency
coordination.
e. Scoping Process. The scoping process as outlined by the Council
on Environmental Quality would be utilized to involve Federal, State,
and local agencies, and other interested persons and organizations. A
scoping letter would be sent to the appropriate parties requesting
comments and concerns regarding issues to consider during the study.
Public scoping meetings would be held. Exact dates, times, and
locations would be published in local papers.
f. Coordination. The proposed action is being coordinated with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries
Service under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, with the FWS
under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the State
Historic Preservation Officer.
g. Other Environmental Review and Consultation. The proposed action
would involve evaluation for compliance with guidelines pursuant to
Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act; application (to the State of
Florida) for Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the
Clean Water Act; certification of state lands, easements, and rights of
way; Essential Fish Habitat with National Marine Fisheries Service; and
determination of Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.
h. Agency Role. The non-Federal sponsor (Jacksonville Port
Authority) will provide extensive information and assistance on the
resources to be impacted, mitigation measures, and alternatives.
i. DSEIS Preparation. It is estimated that the DSEIS will be
available to the public on or about three years after completion of the
Feasibility Scoping Meeting currently scheduled for September 2007.
Dated: April 2, 2007.
Stuart J. Appelbaum,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 07-1835 Filed 4-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AJ-M