[Federal Register: June 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 106)] [Notices] [Page 29865-29866] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03jn99-69] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [ER-FRL-6243-2] Designation of Dredged Material Disposal Sites in Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York. Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement AGENCIES: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--Region I, New England and Region II, New York in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), New England and New York Districts. ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider the potential designation of one or more dredged material disposal sites in the waters of Long Island Sound under section 102(c) of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) and 40 CFR 230.80 of EPA's regulations under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The EIS will provide an evaluation of the existing historically used sites known as the Western Long Island Sound Disposal Site, the Central Long Island Disposal Site, the Cornfield Shoals Disposal Site and the New London Disposal Site, as well as additional alternatives including other open water disposal sites, other types of dredged material disposal and management, and the no action alternative. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Purpose In accordance with EPA's Statement of Policy for Voluntary Preparation of National Environmental Policy Act documents for all ocean disposal site designations (Federal Register 62(229): 63334- 63336, October 29, 1998), EPA issues this Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the Designation of Dredged Material Disposal Sites in Long Island Sound, offshore of Connecticut, and New York. Summary Dredged material has been disposed of at the existing sites known as the Western Long Island Sound, the Central Long Island Sound, the Cornfield Shoals and the New London Disposal Sites pursuant to programmatic and site designation EISs released by the Corps in 1982 and 1991. This activity has been regulated in different ways at different times depending on the status of applicable law and policy. EPA and the Corps have identified a likely need to continue the marine disposal of dredged material in the Long Island Sound area. Therefore, the two agencies have decided to consider the continued use of the above-listed existing sites and their designation as dredged material disposal sites under section 102(c) of the MPRSA. Other alternatives will also be evaluated, including other open water disposal sites, other disposal and management options, and the no action alternative. Designation of a site does not by itself authorize or result in disposal of any particular material, it only serves to make the designated site a disposal option available for consideration in the alternatives analysis for each individual dredging project in the area. The EPA and the Corps, have entered an agreement to undertake designation of dredged material disposal sites in Long Island Sound under section 102(c) of the MPRSA. The EPA has the responsibility of designating sites under section 102(c) of the Act and 40 CFR 228.4 of its regulations. EPA and the Corps will also consider making an advanced identification under 40 CFR 230.80 of EPA's Clean Water Act section 404 regulations for any site that may be designated. The Clean Water Act and the MPRSA come into play because the waters of Long Island Sound are inland waters, but section 106(f) of the MPRSA extends certain aspects of the MPRSA into Long Island Sound for certain projects. An EIS will evaluate the four current sites used in the Sound as well as other sites for, and means of, disposal and management, including the no action alternative. The EIS will support the EPA's final decision on whether one or more dredged material disposal sites will be designated under the MPRSA identified in advance under 40 CFR 230.80. The EIS will include analysis applying the five general and 11 specific site selection criteria for designating ocean disposal sites presented in 40 CFR 228.5 and 228.6, respectively. The Corps, New England District, has prepared a study reviewing existing data for the existing sites relative to these criteria and this study will serve as a starting point for further evaluation of the existing sites in the EIS. Need for EIS On May 7, 1974, and as amended in October 29, 1998, the EPA published a Statement of Policy on Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). Section (1) (d) (2) of that policy specifies that EISs will be prepared in connection with ocean disposal site designations under section 102 (c) of the MPRSA. Evaluation of site designation, and advanced identification under 40 CFR 230.80, will serve to clarify the availability of particular sites for consideration as dredged material disposal options over the long term. Alternatives In evaluating the alternatives, the EIS will identify and evaluate locations within the Long Island Sound study area that are best suited to receive dredged material suitable for open water marine disposal. At a minimum, the EIS will consider various alternatives including: No-action (i.e., no designation of any sites); Designation of one or more of the existing open water sites; Designation of alternative open water sites identified within the study area that may offer environmental advantages to the existing sites; and Identification of other disposal and/or management options, either in or out of the water. Scoping The Environmental Protection Agency--New England Region and the Corps of Engineers, New England District, will hold public scoping meetings on June 15, 1999 at the State University of New York, Stony Brook Union Auditorum,100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook , June 16, 1999 and Groton Inn & Suites, Main Room Left, 99 Goldstar Highway, Route 184, Groton Connecticut; and June 23, 1999 at Westin Stamford Hotel, Commodore Vanderbilt, One First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT. For all meetings, registration will be from 6-7 p.m.; the meetings will be between the hours of 7 and 10 p.m. Details of the history of the project and the alternatives to be considered will be presented. The [[Page 29866]] public is invited to attend and identify issues that should be addressed in the EIS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO BE PLACED ON THE PROJECT MAILING LIST CONTACT: Ann Rodney, U.S. EPA--New England Region, One Congress Street, Suite 1100, CWQ, Boston, MA 02114-2023. (617) 918-1538. RODNEY.ANN@EPA.GOV Please contact Ann Rodney should you have special needs (sign language interpreters, access needs) at the above address or our TDY (617) 918-1189. ESTIMATED DATE OF THE DRAFT EIS RELEASE: Fall 2001. Responsible Officials: John P. DeVillars, Regional Administrator, EPA--New England. Date: May 28, 1999. Richard E. Sanderson, Director, Office of Federal Activities. [FR Doc. 99-14093 Filed 6-2-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P