[Federal Register: February 25, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 37)]
[Notices]
[Page 8744-8745]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25fe03-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Palm Beach Harbor Lake Worth Access Channel Expansion, Section 107
Small Navigation Project
AGENCY: Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville
District intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) for the Palm Beach Harbor Lake Worth Access Channel Expansion,
Section 107 Small Navigation Project. The study is a cooperative effort
between the Corps and the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND),
with the support of Palm Beach County (PBC) and the Port of Palm Beach
Harbor (PBH).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James McAdams, 904-232-2117,
Environmental Branch, Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville,
FL 32232-0019.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS for the PBH Lake Worth Access
Channel Expansion, Section 107 Small Navigation Project was authorized
by the Flood Control Act of 1968.
The purpose of the study is to consider modifying the Federal
navigation project of PBH to provide navigation access for larger and
deeper-draft vessels to interior berthing, testing, and repair
facilities located adjacent to PBH in Lake Worth. Existing depths in
the proposed Lake Worth main access channel area are presently limited
to the 10-foot deep Federal IWW channel that runs north and south from
the Port. The need for this deepening project comes from the recent
growth in larger/deeper-draft vessels requiring deeper water depths to
safely navigate the interior area.
The study involves an analysis of available information from
sources within the project area and records at the Jacksonville
District. The without project deepening condition is for continuing
maintenance of the existing 10-foot depth (Intracoastal Waterway) IWW
channel, with maintenance to maintain the channels for both projects. A
deepened access channel was analyzed from the existing ten-foot depth,
in one-foot increments to a 16-foot depth. Each alternative depth
considered includes a one-foot required and one-foot allowable over-
depth. All alternative depth main access channels have a bottom width
of 125 feet for about 0.7 miles \2\ north and 4.5 miles south of the
PBH project limit. Adding an appropriate depth access channel would
enable larger vessels access to commercial repair and berthing
facilities in the vicinity of PBH and improve operational efficiencies
at other commercial and educational training facilities along Lake
Worth.
The existing 1.6-mile Federal PBH navigation channel provides a 35
foot deep project through the ocean inlet, 33 feet through the inner
channel and within the main turning basin, and 25 feet in a second
turning basin, to berthing slips and wharves at PPBH, in West Palm
Beach, Florida. PBH serves a variety of dry bulk, liquid bulk, and
general cargo vessels calling at the Harbor in addition to smaller
commercial and recreational boating interests. The present Section 107
study addresses and is focused on an extension of the harbor footprint
to the north and south via the addition of main and interior access
channels and berthing areas. The Jacksonville to Miami IWW, part of
which is co-located with the Harbor and continues north and south from
the Port, traverses the study area. This report's primary study area is
a 5.2 mile reach of Lake Worth in Palm Beach County in the vicinity of
PBH.
Several Federal navigation, beach erosion control, environmental
restoration, and food control projects exist in the study area. The
first navigation project is the PBH project. The second navigation
project is the IWW from Jacksonville to Miami. Two beach erosion
control projects exist along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline adjacent to
PBH. Also, a section 1135 study was initiated during 1996 to examine
environmental restoration of a portion of Peanut Island, the upland
dredged material disposal site used in the PBH and IWW projects. The
final project is the West Palm Beach Canal (C-51) that currently serves
as a flood control structure, although initially constructed for
navigation purposes.
Alternatives: Two basic sets of alternatives were considered for
providing an access channel for navigation in the Lake Worth study
area. One is to do no further improvements to the project (no action
plan). The second set of alternatives involve structural changes to
(extension of) the existing PBH project. The alternative evaluations
involved an assessment of the optimum channel depth to provide the
greatest return on the investment (net benefits), the dredging
equipment for performing the construction and maintenance work, and
dredged material disposal options. The identification of these
alternatives and options are discussed in the subsequent sections.
Issues: The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will consider
impacts on seagrasses, protected species, health and safety, water
quality, aesthetics and recreation, fish and wildlife resources,
cultural resources, energy conservation, socio-economic resources, and
other impacts identified through scoping, public involvement, and
interagency coordination.
Scoping: A scoping letter was sent to interested parties on
September 13, 2000 for the original Environmental Assessment of the
project. Due to comments received, an EIS was judged needed and a new
scoping letter will be sent out the first week of February 2003. In
addition, all parties are invited to participate in the scoping process
by identifying any additional concerns on issues, studies needed,
alternatives, procedures, and other matters related to the scoping
process. At this time, there are no plans for a public scoping meeting.
Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected
Federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other
interested private organizations and parties.
Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries
Service under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, with the FWS
under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the State
Historic Preservation Officer.
Other Environmental Review and Consultation: The proposed action
would involve evaluation for compliance with guidelines pursuant to
Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act; application (to the State of
Florida) for Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the
Clean Water Act; certification of state lands, easements, and rights of
way; Essential Fish Habitat with National Marine Fisheries Service; and
determination of Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.
Agency Role: As cooperating agency, non-Federal sponsor, and
leading local expert; Palm Beach County Department
[[Page 8745]]
of Environmental Resources will provide extensive information and
assistance on the resources to be impacted, mitigation measures, and
alternatives.
DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be available
to the public on or about August 15, 2003.
Dated: February 4, 2003.
George M. Strain,
Acting Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 03-4406 Filed 2-24-03; 8:45 am]