[Federal Register: March 23, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 56)]
[Notices]
[Page 13526-13527]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr04-59]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-6649-8]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) on the Federal Funding, Construction, Operation and Monitoring of
the Restoration Project Titled: Mississippi River Reintroduction Into
Bayou Lafourche
AGENCY: Region 6 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Issuance of Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS).
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SUMMARY: EPA Region 6 is preparing an EIS on the proposed Mississippi
River Reintroduction Into Bayou Lafourche project. The proposed project
is intended to enhance freshwater flows in Bayou Lafourche to nourish
and protect marshes of the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins and meet
human water supply needs. EPA has determined that the proposed multiple
use and multiple benefit wetlands restoration effort is a Major Federal
Action significantly affecting the human environment. The purpose of
the EIS is to provide information and analysis for decisions on the
project in accordance with the policies and purposes of the National
Environmental Policy Act.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coastal Wetland Planning, Protection,
and Restoration Act (CWPPRA), Pub. L. 101-646, provides funding for
projects intended to restore and protect sensitive Louisiana coastal
areas and establishes a multi-agency task force to consider, develop,
and implement such projects. The Mississippi River Reintroduction Into
Bayou Lafourche is one such proposed project. The EPA is designated the
Federal member of the CWPPRA Task Force to carry out the project. As
proposed, the project would significantly increase the flow of water
from the Mississippi River into Bayou Lafourche, historically a natural
distributary channel of the River. By human action, the Bayou was cut
off from the River with construction of the existing flood protection
levee. Over time, it was recognized that precipitation alone into the
bayou system was not adequate to meet the human or natural ecosystem
needs. The project proposes to significantly increase Mississippi River
water flow through a structure constructed through or over the flood
protection levee of the River at Donaldsonville, Louisiana. The water
would then flow down the bayou and connected waterways toward the Gulf
of Mexico and into adjacent wetlands, increasing input of freshwater,
nutrients and some sediments. Portions of the Ascension, Assumption,
Lafourche, and Terrebonne Parishes are included in the proposed project
area. The proposed project also includes installation of emergency
water level management measures in the bayou such as inflatable weirs.
Drainage systems associated with the bayou will be analyzed for
impacts. Evaluation studies carried out for use in project development
included alternative water sources; existing bayou conditions and basic
reintroduction scenarios; surveys of elevations and cross-sections;
hydrologic modeling of flows and of salinity; baseline ecological field
studies; surveys of flora and fauna of bayou; transportation and
utilities infrastructure; potential dredging options; value-engineering
study; and cost evaluations. Impacts on the natural and the human
environment, including economics and culture, will be evaluated in the
EIS.
Alternative Actions: The proposed action includes significantly
increasing Mississippi River flows into Bayou Lafourche through a head
works structure at the head of Bayou Lafourche. Alternatives to be
considered include an array of pumping station and siphon
configurations, numerous conveyance channel improvements, and, an
alternative channel alignment upstream of Donaldsonville. The EPA is
seeking public input on the proposed alternatives and any possible new
alternatives.
Public Scoping Meetings: The EPA will hold public meetings at
several locations along the Bayou to receive public input on the scope
of issues to be addressed in the Draft EIS and to identify significant
issues associated with the proposed project. Interested individuals,
groups, agencies and public officials will be encouraged to
participate. Meeting locations and dates include: South Central Plan
Commission Building, Gray LA, 6:30 p.m., April 22; Central Catholic
High School Gymnasium, Donaldsonville LA, 6:30 p.m., April 26; Larose
Civic Center, Larose LA, 6:30 p.m., April 27; Napoleonville Civic
Center, Napoleonville LA, 12:30 p.m., April 28; Municipal Auditorium,
Thibodaux LA, 6:30 p.m., April 28. Notices will be placed in regional,
local and periodic newspapers thirty days in advance. Information will
be provided for potential newspaper, public radio and television
announcements.
[[Page 13527]]
DATES: The estimated date for release of the Draft EIS is Fall, 2005.
EPA will publish a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register
stating where the Draft EIS will be available for review, the date of
Public Hearing on the Draft EIS and a deadline for submission of
written comments.
For Further Information, To Submit Scoping Comments, orTo Be Placed on
the EIS Mailing List, Contact: Ms. Jeanene Peckham,U.S. EPA, Water
Quality Protection Division Field Office, 707 Florida Blvd, Suite B-21,
Baton Rouge, LA, 70801. Telephone: 225-389-0736; or e-mail:
peckham.jeanene@epa.gov.
Responsible Official: Richard E. Greene, Regional Administrator.
Dated: March 17, 2004.
Anne Norton Miller,
Director, OFA.
[FR Doc. 04-6471 Filed 3-22-04; 8:45 am]
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