[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63033-63034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30084]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army
Intend To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (DSEIS) for Proposed Improvements to the Cheasapeake &
Delaware Canal and Connecting Channels, Delaware and Maryland
AGENCY: U.S. Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The action being taken is an evaluation of the outstanding
issues of concern raised by State and Federal agencies and local
interest groups during the Feasibility Study for the Cheaspeake and
Delaware Canal-Baltimore Harbor Connecting Channels (Deepening),
Delaware and Maryland.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions regarding the DSEIS should be addressed to Ms. Barbara
Conlin, (215) 656-6557, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CENAP-PL-E,
Wanamaker
[[Page 63034]]
Building, 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3390.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action
a. The proposed document will address outstanding economic issues
including the appropriate channel depth. Potential environmental
impacts will be further evaluated, including possible impacts to
groundwater quality from the disposal of dredged material, loss of
groundwater into the canal/river, bank erosion, impacts to aquatic
resources and water quality impacts in the Chesapeake Bay.
b. The authority for the proposed project is the resolution adopted
by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and
Transportation September 8, 1988.
c. The resolution authorized the review of existing reports of the
Chief of Engineers for the Inland Waterway-Delaware River to Chesapeake
Bay, Delaware and Maryland, and the report on the Baltimore Harbor and
Channels, Maryland, with a view to determine the feasibility of
measures to promote and encourage the efficient, economic, and logical
development of the channel system serving the Port of Baltimore.
2. Alternatives
In response to the study resolution a reconnaissance report was
completed in February 1990 at 100% Federal expense. The results
indicated there was Federal interest in further feasibility phase
studies of improvements to the canal and the connecting channels. The
feasibility phase of study was cost-shared 50%-50% between the Maryland
Port Administration (MPA) and the Federal government and was completed
in December 1996 with the issuance of the Chief of Engineers' report.
The Chief of Engineers' report concluded that the plan developed by the
reporting officers was engineeringly sound. The review also found that
the Reedy Point entrance flare, bend widening at Sandy Point, and the
establishment of an emergency anchorage at Howell Point were
economically justified. However, questions remain regarding the
appropriate channel depth which are to be addressed during this phase
of study (Planning, Engineering and Design).
3. Scoping
a. The Planning, Engineering and Design (PED) phase was initiated 8
April 1997 with the execution of a cost sharing agreement between the
Federal government and the MPA. As part of the PED phase a working
group has been established to help disseminate information to the
interested public, review the information, make suggestions on the
study process, and assure that all the issues are addressed. Also, as
part of the PED phase, several repositories have been established at
local libraries, Corps offices, and the MPA offices. The repositories
contain pertinent reports from the feasibility study as well as
information developed during the on-going PED phase.
b. The scoping process is on-going and has involved coordination
with Federal, State, and local agencies and interest groups. The public
and all agencies are invited to comment on this proposal. Any pertinent
information that Federal, State or local agencies or the private sector
can provide will be used to the greatest extent possible. We welcome
any assistance and suggestions pertaining to the conduct of this study.
All comments should be directed to the above address, Attn: CENAP-PL-E.
4. Availability
It is estimated that the DSEIS will be made available to the public
in Spring 2000.
Leonard J. Lipski,
Assistant Chief of Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 98-30084 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
