[Federal Register: August 3, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 149)]
[Notices]
[Page 43251]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03au07-50]
[[Page 43251]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
Improvements to the Freeport Harbor Navigation Project, Brazoria
County, TX
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, is
issuing this notice to announce its intent to prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), for the proposed deepening and
widening of the deep-draft Freeport Harbor Navigation Project,
connecting port facilities in Freeport to the Gulf of Mexico. The
District will conduct a study to evaluate deepening and widening
alternatives, and dredged material disposal options, which will include
both upland confined disposal and ocean disposal at designated sites in
the Gulf of Mexico.
The Freeport Harbor Navigation Project study area is located on the
mid to upper Texas coast in Brazoria County, TX, extending from
approximately 3 miles offshore at the 60-foot depth contour in the Gulf
of Mexico, through the jettied Freeport Harbor entrance channel
upstream to the Stauffer Channel Turing Basin. Depths and widths of up
to 60-feet and 600-feet respectively are being considered from seaward,
along with varying dimensions for upstream reaches and basins. The non-
federal sponsor is the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, P.O. Box
1229, Galveston, TX 77553-1229.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Bragg, Project Manager--
Project Management Branch, (409) 766-3979; or Mr. George Dabney,
Environmental Lead--Planning and Environmental Branch, (409) 766-6345.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The existing navigation project, completed
in 1996, is approximately 8.6 miles in length. The project's primary
reaches and basins include a 47-foot deep, 400-foot wide entrance
channel; a 45-foot deep, 400-foot wide main channel; 45-foot deep
turning basins (with 750, 1,000 and 1,200-foot diameters); and a 36-
foot deep, 750-foot diameter Brazos Harbor Turning Basin. The existing
project encompasses numerous industrial and shipping facilities,
located in or adjacent to the Port of Freeport, TX. The non-federal
sponsor, the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District, seeks to increase
navigation safety and efficiency, and to enhance its competitiveness by
improving the existing project to attract larger, deeper draft vessels
including LNG tankers, crude carriers and container ships.
To explore the feasibility of proposed project improvements, the
non-federal sponsor has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Galveston District, to conduct a feasibility study for
determining optimum depths and widths necessary to safely accommodate
current and projected navigation needs. Section 216 of the Flood
Control Act of 1970, Public Law 91-611, authorizes the proposed
deepening and widening improvements of the existing navigation project.
Project alternatives under evaluation include maintaining primary
channel reaches at their existing dimensions (No Action Alternative),
or, deepening and widening reaches to either 60 x 540 feet or 55 x 600
feet respectively. The remaining project reaches and basins will be
deepened, widened or expanded to compatible dimensions.
The scoping process for public input will involve Federal, State,
and local agencies, along with other interested parties and entities.
Coordination with natural resources and environmental agencies will be
conducted under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Endangered
Species Act, Clear Water Act, Clean Air Act, National Historic
Preservation Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act, and the Coastal Zone Management Act. Public scoping meetings will
also be held to discuss environmental issues associated with proposed
channel improvements.
Issues to be considered during the public review and input process
include: water and sediment quality, air and noise quality, hazardous,
toxic and radiological waste, dredged material disposal, economics,
threatened and endangered species, wetlands, historic properties,
aesthetics, recreation, cumulative impacts, impact mitigation for
natural resources, and other issues affecting public health and
welfare. Any person or organization wishing to provide information on
issues or concerns should contact the Galveston District Corps of
Engineers at (see ADDRESSES).
It is estimated the DEIS will be available for public review and
comment in April 2008.
Richard Medina,
Chief, Planning and Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 07-3817 Filed 8-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-52-M