[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 54 (Monday, March 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6512]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 21, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[CGD09-94-001]
Notice of National Environmental Policy Act Activity
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice; Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement
(EIS).
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is preparing an EIS for the Ninth Coast Guard
District icebreaking activity on the Great Lakes. In addition, the
Coast Guard will consider the U.S. Army Detroit District Corps of
Engineers final EIS, EIS supplements, and EIS studies on Operations,
Maintenance, and Minor Improvements of the Federal Facilities at Sault
Ste. Marie, Michigan. Additionally, the Coast Guard has signed
Memorandums of Agreements (MOAs) on winter navigation operations
(August 1993) and participation in EIS studies (October 1993) with the
Detroit District Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. To assist us in
determining relevant issues for the EIS we will hold a public scoping
meeting.
DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held on March 31, 1994, at 10
a.m. in room 2045 of the Ninth Coast Guard District 1240 East Ninth
Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Scoping comments must be received by April 15,
1994.
ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, or requests should be sent to Gary
Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit, room 2179, 1240 East
Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio, 44199-2060.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gary Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard, (216) 522-3934 Ext. 635. Anyone wishing
to make a presentation at the scoping meeting is requested to call this
number and give the following information: name; organization, (if
any); address; and the estimated amount of time needed to comment, (10
minute time-limit goal).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Action
The preparation of an EIS and a scoping meeting for Ninth Coast
Guard District icebreaking activity on the Great Lakes.
Alternatives
Project alternatives are identified in the Corps EIS supplements.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, as
amended, and Coast Guard policy encouraging all interested or affected
parties to participate in the early consultation process, the Coast
Guard requests scoping comments. Scoping involves determining the scope
of issues to be addressed and identifying significant issues for in-
depth analysis in the environmental document. The scoping process
includes public participation to integrate information regarding public
needs and concerns into the environmental document.
Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written comments.
These comments should specifically describe environmental issues or
topics which the commentator believes the document should address.
Comments should be mailed to the Coast Guard address listed above no
later than April 15, 1994.
Background and Discussion
In a letter received on February 26, 1993, the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources advised the Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard
District of concerns over the environmental impact of ship transits
through the St. Marys River during the period of March 21 to April 1.
April 1 is the nominal date for the opening of the locks at Sault Ste.
Marie, which allows large commercial shipping access to the St. Marys
River from Lake Superior. Recent environmental impact statement
supplements and studies by the United States Army Corps of Engineers
indicate that March 21 is the optimal opening date. [See U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Opening
Operations of the Lock Facilities on 21 March (February 1993),
Supplement III to the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Operations,
Maintenance, and Minor Improvements of the Federal Facilities at Sault
Ste. Marie, Michigan (July 1977)].
The environmental analysis of Great Lakes icebreaking activities
will address concerns raised by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the public. The EIS will
examine hazardous material spill response on the Great Lakes,
icebreaking lane frequency (number, locations, size, dates, times),
number of Coast Guard vessels involved in icebreaking (size,
turbulence), water quality, channel depth, endangered and threatened
species, and other relevant key issues discovered in ongoing
environmental studies.
In accordance with an agreement reached June 29, 1993 with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Commander of the Ninth
Coast Guard District has established a temporary change to the speed
regulations, as a precautionary measure, in order to minimize any
possible damage to the environment. The speed limit is reduced by 2
statute miles per hour in the area between Munuscong Lake Lighted Buoy
8 and Lake Nicolet Light 80, upbound, and between Lake Nicolet Lighted
Buoy 80 and Munuscong Lake Light 9, downbound. The Light 9 checkpoint
has been added to extend the reduced speed limit area past Winter
Point, thereby protecting the sensitive environment between Winter
Point and Light 9. Speed limits apply to the average speed between
established reporting points. The temporary final rule addressing
vessel speed changes in the St. Marys River was published in the
Federal Register, and is effective through April 15, 1994.
Drafting Information
The drafter of this notice is Gary Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard, Civil
Engineering Unit, Cleveland, Ohio.
Dated: March 8, 1994.
Rudy K. Peschel,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 94-6512 Filed 3-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
