[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28218]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 16, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Columbia
River Channel Deepening Feasibility Study, Oregon-Washington
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The proposed action is to determine the feasibility of
improving navigation in the existing Columbia and Lower Willamette
Rivers Federal navigation project by potential modifications, including
the potential deepening of up to 3 feet.
This feasibility study has been authorized by Congress pursuant to
appeals by local port authorities for navigation assistance.
The existing navigation channel depth does not allow some of the
deeper draft vessels using the channel to fully load. Prospective
traffic and potential economies of scale are such that the lower
Columbia River ports could operate more safely, effectively and
economically with a deeper channel.
The EIS is being prepared to address the comparative impacts for
alternative actions related to navigation channel modifications.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District,
Environmental Resources Branch, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Oregon 97208-
2946.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed action and EIS can be answered by Steven
J. Stevens, (503) 326-6094.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed study, authorized under House
Document 452, Eighty-Seventh Congress, Second Session, is being
conducted to determine the feasibility for improvements to the existing
Columbia and Lower Willamette Rivers deep-draft navigation project. The
study was modified by the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 1994
which specified that no alternatives deeper than 43 feet would be
considered and that a concurrent Dredged Material Management Study of
the existing project be conducted.
Alternatives identified in the reconnaissance phase study, public
and agency comments and port authority input include:
(1) Channel deepening ranging from 1 to 3 feet;
(2) One-way channel;
(3) Deepening selected reaches by increments ranging from 1 to 3
feet;
(4) Tiered channel with an outbound land deeper than the inbound
lane;
(5) Development of a regional port closer to the mouth of the
Columbia River;
(6) No action.
Existing upland and inwater disposal sites would be used for
disposal of a large portion of material dredged for channel deepening.
New upland and inwater sites would be investigated for disposal of
deepening and future maintenance dredging material. The feasibility
study and EIS will also address the long term effects of additional
channel maintenance dredging. EIS scoping will formally commence in
November 1994 with the issuance of a scoping letter. Federal, state and
local agencies, Indian tribes and interested organizations and
individuals will be asked to comment on the significant issues related
to the potential effects of the alternatives. Potentially significant
issues to be addressed in the EIS which are currently identified
include: fisheries impacts (particularly anadromous species); wildlife
impacts at upland disposal sites; water quality impacts in the vicinity
of port docks; salinity intrusion; indirect effects from increased port
dredging and modified shipping activity. Additional environmental
review and consultation requirements to be addressed in conjunction
with the EIS include:
(1) Clean Water Act of 1977;
(2) Fish and Wildlife;
(3) Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended;
(4) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended;
(5) Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as
amended;
(6) Cultural Resources Acts;
(7) Executive Order 11988, Flood Plain Management, 24 May 1977;
(8) Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, 24 May 1977;
(9) Analysis of Impacts on Prime and Unique Farmlands.
Formal public meetings have been scheduled to obtain input from the
general public.
Comments received at these meetings will be considered during
preparation of the Feasibility Study/EIS. As previously stated, a
scoping letter will be issued in November 1994, providing additional
opportunity for comment. The Draft EIS is scheduled for public review
in October 1997.
Kenneth L. Denton,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-28218 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]
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