[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 226 (Friday, November 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 58055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28591]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for the Mississippi River Sediment Nutrient and Freshwater
Redistribution Feasibility Study; Louisiana
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a DEIS.
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SUMMARY: This study will investigate the Federal involvement in the
redistribution of Mississippi River flows at various locations between
the Old River Control Structure and Head of Passes. River water will
provide sediments, nutrients, and freshwater to offset wetlands loss
resulting from subsidence and saltwater intrusion.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions concerning the proposed study can be answered by Mr. Tim
Axtman, (504) 862-1921, and questions concerning the DEIS can be
answered by Mr. Michael Saucier, (504) 862-2525, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Planning Division (CELMN-PD), P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70160-0267.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority
This study is being funded as specified in the Coastal Wetlands
Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA, PL 101-646). At the
direction of the CWPPRA Task Force, the study is being led and managed
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Members of the Task Force are the
Secretary of the Army who serves as chairman, the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Agriculture, the
Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Interior, and the Governor of
Louisiana. The other members of the Task Force will provide input to
the proposed study.
2. Proposed Action
The objective of this study is the maximization of the available
resources of the Mississippi River for use in creation, restoration,
protection, and enhancement of coastal wetlands in Louisiana.
3. Alternatives
Alternatives for addressing wetland loss will include, but are not
limited to, freshwater diversion through siphons over the river levee,
freshwater diversion through structures built in the river levee,
sediment diversion through structures built in the river levee, and
freshwater and sediment diversion through crevasse construction in the
natural river bank. These alternatives will be compared to the No-
Action alternative.
4. Public Involvement and Scoping
a. Three scoping meetings will be held within the study area to
identify the desires of the public. Members of the CWPPRA Task Force
Environmental Work Group will participate as facilitators in the
scoping meetings, organized by the Corps of Engineers. Participants in
the scoping meetings will be requested to make comments on
alternatives, significant issues, or impacts of alternatives for
inclusion in the DEIS. Comments received as a result of this process
will be compiled and analyzed, and a Scoping Document summarizing the
results will be made available to all participants.
b. Significant issues to be addressed in the DEIS currently
include: extent of wetland loss under current conditions and if no
remedial action is taken, environmental benefits of proposed
alternatives, relocations required, and effects on fish and wildlife,
endangered species, cultural resources, recreation, and socio-economic
concerns.
c. The U.S. Department of the Interior will provide a Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act Report to accompany the DEIS. Coordination
will be maintained with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
National Marine Fisheries Service concerning endangered and threatened
species. We will prepare a Section 404(b)(1) evaluation for review by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other interested parties.
Coordination will be maintained with the Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Officer. The Louisiana
Department of Natural Resources will be consulted regarding consistency
with the State's Coastal Resources Program. Application for a State
Water Quality Certificate will be made with the Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality.
d. A 45-day public review period will be allowed so that all
interested agencies, groups, and individuals will have an opportunity
to review and comment on the DEIS.
5. Meeting Schedule
The public will be informed of the dates and locations of the
scoping meetings when scheduled. A public meeting will be held during
the review period to receive comments on the DEIS.
6. Availability
The DEIS is scheduled to be available to the public in November
1997.
Dated: October 30, 1995.
Kenneth H. Clow,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 95-28591 Filed 11-22-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-M
