[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 111 (Friday, June 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29081-29082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14379]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal-Baltimore Harbor Connecting
Channels (Deepening) Feasibility Study
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District will
hold a public meeting on Tuesday July 9, 1996 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
at the Bohemia Manor High School on Route 213 in Chesapeake City,
Maryland. The meeting is being held to discuss the recently completed
draft feasibility report titled: Chesapeake and Delaware Canal-
Baltimore Harbor Connecting Channels (Deepening) Delaware and Maryland,
Draft Feasibility Report and Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The
report evaluates the present authorized dimensions and operations of
the canal and bay channels, and considers the need to better
accommodate current and future shipping traffic. The report was
submitted on May 10, 1996 for a formal public review that will last
until June 24, 1996.The feasibility study is being cost-shared by the
Federal government and the Maryland Department of Transportation-
Maryland Port Administration, the non-Federal project sponsor.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Frank Master, Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East,
Philadelphia, PA. 19107-3390, (215) 656-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The goal of the study is to determine an
appropriate plan for the efficient use and development of the
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Bay System. The study considered
structural and non-structural measures that could be implemented to
increase the efficiency of the navigation channel, and dredged material
disposal capacity requirements for a 50 year study period. Alternatives
were evaluated with regard to potential impacts to the natural and
social environments.
Based on economic and environmental analyses, the selected plan
consists of a navigation project for the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
and the Baltimore Harbor Connecting Channels. The plan provides for a
full width channel (450 and 600 feet) with a 40-foot mean low water
(MLW) depth and an allowable overdepth of 1 foot,
[[Page 29082]]
the enlargement of the Reedy Point flare, bend widening at Sandy Point,
and construction of an emergency anchorage at Howell Point. The plan
also includes aids to navigation and lands, easements, rights-of-way,
and disposal areas as required for the initial construction and
maintenance of the project. Dredged material quantities for the project
are approximately 18.0 million cubic yards.
The selected dredged material disposal plan includes the use of
several existing upland disposal sites and one open water site for
initial construction. Dredged material (4,244,200 cubic yards) from
Reach 1 would be placed in the existing upland dredged material
disposal areas located on the C&D Canal: Biddles Point, Goose Point,
St. Georges, and Summit East. Dredged material from Reach 2 (1,679,700
cubic yards) will be placed in the existing Bethel upland disposal
area. In Reach 3, 2,283,100 cubic yards of dredged material will be
placed in the existing upland disposal sites Pearce Creek and
Courthouse Point. In Reach 4, 2,158,600 cubic yards of dredged material
will be placed in a proposed overboard location immediately east of the
existing G-West site near Pooles Island in the upper bay, referred to
as G-East. Dredged material from Reach 5 (4,264,100 cubic yards) and
Reach 6 (3,329,100 cubic yards) will be placed in the existing Hart-
Miller Island containment area located near Baltimore Harbor.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been prepared for this
project and has been circulated to the appropriate state and federal
agencies; local, state, and federal officials; and private
organizations. The public and all agencies are invited to comment on
this proposal. Copies of the Draft Feasibility Report and Draft
Environmental Impact Statement are available for public review at the
Philadelphia District Office.
Impacts to water quality have been evaluated in accordance with the
Section 404(b)(1) guidelines of the Clean Water Act, and are not
adverse. In accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, Water
Quality Certification has been requested from the Maryland Department
of the Environment and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control.
In accordance with Section 307(c) of the Coastal Zone Management
Act of 1972, an activity affecting land or water uses in a state's
coastal zone must comply with the state's Coastal Zone Management
Program. A certification of compliance has been requested from both the
Maryland Department of the Environment and the Delaware Department of
Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
It has been determined that the proposed work would not have a
significant adverse impact on listed species or their critical habitat,
pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended.
Updated consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
National Marine Fisheries Service would occur prior to project
implementation to insure compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act.
Review of the National Register of Historic Places indicates that
no registered properties, or properties listed as eligible for
inclusion, would be impacted.
All practicable means to avoid or minimize adverse environmental
effects have been incorporated into the recommended plan.
Robert L. Callegari,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 96-14379 Filed 6-6-96; 8:45 am]
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