[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29630-29631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13883]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for Construction of a Containerized Cargo and Cruise Ship Terminal,
Along Port Road, East of Old Highway 146, in the Extra-territorial
Jurisdiction of the City of Pasadena and the City of Seabrook, Harris
County, TX
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District intends
to prepare a DEIS to access the social, economic and environmental
effects of the proposed multi-year phased construction of a container
terminal and cruise ship facility. The DEIS will access potential
impacts on a range of alternatives, including the preferred
alternative.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or
questions about the proposed action and DEIS, please contact Mr. Mark
King, Project Manager, by letter at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O.
Box 1229, Galveston, Texas 77550, by telephone at (409) 766-3991, or by
electronic mail at john.m.king@swg02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Galveston District intends to prepare a
DEIS on the proposed container cargo and cruise ship terminal which
would be located along Port Road, east of Old Highway 146, in the
Extra-territorial Jurisdiction of the City of Pasadena and the City of
Seabrook, Harris County, Texas. The Port of Houston Authority (PHA)
proposes this project.
1. Description of the Proposed Project
The PHA proposes to construct containerized cargo loading areas,
roadways, rail lines, an intermodal transit yard, and associated
warehouses, administration, and operations buildings. It is the PHA's
projection that initial construction would use approximately 1,600 feet
of waterfront and 54 acres of land for a container yard. Construction
beyond this initial phase would occur in increments (50-100 acre yard
expansions and associated waterfront construction). These additional
phases of construction would occur based upon cargo demand. It is
currently estimated that the ultimate build-out of the container
terminal to seven berths and over 608 acres of container yard and a 90
acre intermodal transit facility (rail yard) could take 15 to 20 years.
Cruise ship facilities beyond the initial single berth would be
construction based upon passenger demand.
2. Alternatives
The following alternatives will be examined to identify the
reasonable alternatives to be fully evaluated in the DEIS: No Action;
the modification of existing PHA facilities to meet the purpose and
need of and for the proposed project; alternative locations within the
jurisdictional authority of the PHA where the proposed facilities might
be developed; off-site alternatives such as Spillman Island, Shoal
Point (Texas City), and Galveston Harbor; modified on-site
alternatives. The applicant's preferred alternative is the PHA owned
property on the Bayport
[[Page 29631]]
Ship Channel (95 deg.00' longitude and 29 deg.36.7' latitude).
3. Scoping and Public Involvement Process
A workshop and scoping meeting to gather information on the
subjects to be studied in detail in the DEIS will be conducted on July
8, 1999, at the Texas Chiropractic College, Russell Building, 5912
Spencer Highway, Pasadena, Texas.
4. Significant Issues
Issues associated with the proposed facilities to be given
significant analysis in the DEIS are likely to include, but may not be
limited to, the potential impacts of the proposed dredging, the
beneficial uses of dredged material, placement of fill, construction
and operation of the proposed facility and surface transportation
facilities, and of induced developments on: Wetland resources; upland
and aquatic biotic communities; water quality; fish and wildlife values
including threatened and endangered species; noise and light levels in
areas adjoining the proposed facilities; air quality; land forms and
geologic resources; community cohesion; environmental justice; roadway
traffic, socioeconomic environment; archaeological and cultural
resources; recreation and recreational resources; public infrastructure
and services; energy supply and natural resources; hazardous waste and
materials; land use; aesthetics; public health and safety; navigation;
flood plain values; shoreline erosion and accretion; and the needs and
welfare of the people.
5. Cooperating Agencies
Those agencies having permitting, certifying, or other approved
authorities will be asked to be cooperating agencies and to assist in
the preparation of this DEIS. Cooperating agencies may include the
Federal Highway Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and
Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission.
6. Additional Review and Consultation
Additional review and consultation which will be incorporated into
the preparation of this DEIS will include: Compliance with the Texas
Coastal Management Program; protection of cultural resources under
section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act; protection of navigation
under the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899; protection of water quality
under section 401 of the Clean Water Act; and protection of endangered
and threatened species under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
7. Availability of the DEIS
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is projected to be
available in February 2000. A Public Hearing will be conducted
following the release of the DEIS.
Dated: May 24, 1999.
Nicholas J. Buechler,
COL, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 99-13883 Filed 6-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-52-M
