[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3666-3667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1717]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers
Notice of Availability for the Draft Baltimore Harbor and
Anchorages, Maryland and Virginia Feasibility Study and Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS)--Project Location is Baltimore City, Baltimore
County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, has
prepared a Draft Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement
for maritime improvements for Baltimore Harbor and Anchorages, Maryland
and Virginia. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the District is
conducting public coordination and distributing the documents for
public review and comment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed actions, Feasibility Study, and EIS can be
addressed to Study Manager, Baltimore Harbor Anchorages and Channels,
Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENAB-PL-P,
P.O. 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, telephone (410) 962-6139. E-
mail:
daniel.m.bierly@ccmail.nab.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Port of Baltimore is located on a 32
square mile area of the Patapsco River and its tributaries,
approximately 12 miles northwest of the Chesapeake Bay. From its
central location on the Chesapeake Bay nearly 150 miles inland from the
Atlantic Ocean, Baltimore can easily provide service to America's
Midwestern markets as well as other ports along the Atlantic coast.
Since 1980, over one-half billion dollars have been spent on maritime
improvements in the Port of Baltimore in efforts to meet the needs of
the diverse commercial shipping market.
1. Continuing with the Port of Baltimore's commitment to ongoing
maritime improvement this study recommends: widening the West Dundalk
and Seagirt-Connecting Channels to 500 feet; widening the East Dundalk
Channel to 400 feet; establishing a channel 36 feet deep and 400 feet
wide in the area of the old Produce Wharf Channel at South Locust
Point; deepening a portion of Anchorage #3 to 42 feet deep and 2,200
feet wide by 2,200 feet long; deepening of Anchorage #4 to 42 feet deep
and 1,800 feet wide by 1,800 feet long; constructing a turning basin at
the head of the Fort McHenry Channel, 1,200 feet wide by 1,200 feet
long, and 50 feet deep; Federal assumption of maintenance of the
existing Seagirt Marine Terminal, Dundalk Marine Terminal and South
Locust Point Marine Terminal channels, exclusive of berthing areas, and
Federal maintenance of a 42-foot depth in the area between the
Connecting Channel and the proposed Seagirt Marine Terminal Berth 4
upon completion of dredging to that depth by the State of Maryland; and
deauthorization of Anchorage #1. The proposed improvements are expected
to require the placement of approximately 4.4 million cubic yards of
dredged material at the Hart-Miller Island placement site.
2. The decision to implement this action is being based on an
evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activities on the
public interest. The decision will reflect the national concern for
both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits
which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposed project
are being balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All
factors which may be relevant to the proposal, including the cumulative
effects thereof, are being considered; among these factors are
economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands,
cultural values, flood hazards, fish and wildlife values, flood plain
values, land use, recreation, water supply and conservation, water
quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, and the
general needs and welfare of the people.
3. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describes the
impacts of the proposed projects on environmental and cultural
resources in the study area. The EIS also applies guidelines issued by
the Environmental Protection Agency, under authority of the Clean Water
Act of 1977 (Pub. L. 95-217). An evaluation of the proposed actions on
the waters of the United States was performed pursuant to the
guidelines of the Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
under authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The proposed
dredging, construction, and placement of dredged material is in
compliance with Section 404(b)(1) guidelines.
4. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the
Clean Water Act, the Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the
public, Federal, state and local agencies and officials, and other
interested parties. Any comments received will be considered by the
Corps of Engineers in the decision to implement the project. To make
this decision, comments are considered to assess impacts on endangered
species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental
effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments
regarding the proposed project will be incorporated into the Final
Environmental Impact Statement as required by NEPA. Public comments
will also be used to determine the overall public interest. Notice of a
public meeting will be published at a later date. Informal meetings
have been held in order to present information to citizen interest
groups, officials, and regional planners. The public review and comment
period for the draft feasibility study and draft EIS will begin on 24
January 1997 and close on 9 March 1997. Comments received will be
incorporated into the final EIS.
5. This Notice of Availability is being sent to organizations and
individuals known to have an interest in the proposed maritime
improvements. Please bring this notice to the attention of any other
individuals with an interest in this matter. Copies of the Draft EIS
are available for review at the following locations:
Baltimore County Public Library, North Point Branch, 1716
Merritt Boulevard, Baltimore MD.
Anne Arundel County Public Library, North County Branch,
1010 Eastway Dr. Glen Burnie MD.
Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore,
MD.
6. Requests for copies of the EIS may be mailed to the following
address: District Engineer, Attn: CENAB-PL, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Baltimore
[[Page 3667]]
District, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-1717 Filed 1-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-41-M
