[Federal Register: July 25, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 141)]
[Notices]
[Page 42537-42539]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25jy05-34]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
for Two Features of the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System, Louisiana
Project: Henderson Lake Management Unit, Which Is an Element of the
Management Unit Feature in St. Martin and St. Landry Parishes,
Including the Freshwater Distribution Structure for the Henderson Lake
Area; and the Recreational Development Feature in St. Martin, Iberia,
St. Mary, Iberville, St. Landry, and Pointe Coupee Parishes, LA
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District (CEMVN)
is initiating a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for
the Henderson Lake Management Unit feature, including the freshwater
distribution structure element, of the Henderson Lake Area Atchafalaya
Basin, Louisiana project, pursuant to the authority of the Flood
Control Act of May 15, 1928 (Pub. L. 391, 70th Congress); and for the
Recreational Development feature of the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway
System, Louisiana project (hereinafter ``ABFS'' project), pursuant to
the authority of the Flood Control Act of May 15, 1928 (Pub. L. 391,
70th Congress), as amended by the Supplemental Appropriations Act of
1985, Pub. L. 99-88 and as reauthorized and further amended by Section
601(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (WRDA 1986), Pub.
L. 99-662.
The CEMVN is initiating this study to implement construction and
operation of the Henderson Lake Management Unit, St. Martin and St.
Landry Parishes, which is one of two authorized pilot management units
for the Management Unit feature of the ABFS Project; the freshwater
distribution structure element, of the Henderson Lake Area Atchafalaya
Basin, Louisiana project in St. Martin and St. Landry Parishes,
Louisiana; and the Recreational Development feature of the Atchafalaya
Basin Floodway System, Louisiana project in St. Martin, Iberia, St.
Mary, Iberville, St. Landry, and Pointe Coupee Parishes, Louisiana. The
authorized goals of the Management Unit feature of the ABFS project are
to improve water quality and interior water circulation; remove
barriers to reestablish north to south water flow; provide input of
oxygenated low temperature water; and reduce or manage sediment input
into the interior swamp. Action is necessary due to the existing poor
water quality resulting from the lack of internal circulation and
oxygenated water inputs, and increased sedimentation. In addition if
action is not taken, both deep-water and shallow water habitat utilized
by fish and wildlife resources will continue to be lost, reduced, or
degraded. The intended result of the proposed work is to prolong the
life expectancy of the productive habitat (primarily aquatic and
cypress tupelo habitats) by restricting or redirecting sediments, while
simultaneously achieving a healthy water circulation pattern that would
maintain or restore water quality and reestablish north to south water
movement. The Henderson Lake Management Unit is hydrologically separate
and independent from the Buffalo Cove, Flat Lake, Cocodrie Swamp and
Beau Bayou Management Unit elements of the ABFS project.
The authorized goal of the freshwater distribution structure
element, of the Henderson Lake Area Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana
project is to provide water inflow to the Henderson Lake area and,
together with the Henderson Lake Management Unit, restore overflow
patterns to the extent practicable, and to encourage water movement
through the Henderson Lake Management Unit for the benefit of the
aquatic environment.
The goals and objectives of the Recreational Development feature of
the ABFS project are the development of facilities such as boat
launching ramps for the provision of interior and peripheral access to
the ABFS project area, including those lands acquired for the Public
Access feature of the ABFS
[[Page 42538]]
project, as well as the construction and operation of developed and
primitive campgrounds, an interpretive facility and other facilities
complementary to the enjoyment of outdoor recreational activities for
the observation and utilization by the public of the fish and wildlife
resources of the Lower Atchafalaya Basin Floodway. Public demand and
expectations for the ABFS have increased due to an increased awareness
and use of the vast ABFS natural resource, and the involvement of the
CEMVN through management and part-ownership of the resource. The CEMVN
will address public concerns for management of the Henderson Lake
Management Unit, and recreational development opportunities within the
ABFS, through an SEIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning this SEIS should
be addressed to Mr. Richard Boe at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, PM-RP,
P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, LA 70160-0267, phone (504) 862-1505, fax
number (504) 862-2572 or by e-mail at
Richard.E.Boe@mvn02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action. Under the proposed action the existing project
will be investigated to identify and evaluate possible alternatives for
the freshwater distribution structure element of the Henderson Lake
Area Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana project, the Henderson Lake
Management Unit, and the Recreational Development feature of the ABFS
project.
A. Henderson Lake Management Unit: The Henderson Lake Management
Unit represents one of two pilot management units authorized by WRDA
1986 for the Management Unit feature of the ABFS Project in accordance
with the Atchafalaya Basin Feasibility Study and the accompanying
Environmental Impact Statement dated January 1982, as approved by the
Report of the Chief of Engineers dated February 28, 1983. Because the
Henderson Lake Management Unit constitutes one of the ``pilot''
management units for the Management Unit feature of the ABFS project,
the SEIS will clearly identify the possibility that additional future
work may be recommended in the Henderson Lake Management Unit if the
analysis of the operational monitoring data supports a finding that the
Henderson Lake Management Unit elements initially proposed in the 1982
EIS for construction do not fully accomplish the goals and objectives
of the authorized Management Unit feature of the ABFS project. The
Henderson Lake Management Unit is hydrologically separate and
independent from the other pilot management unit (Buffalo Cove
Management Unit) and from the three conditionally authorized management
units, Cocodrie Swamp, Flat Lake and Beau Bayou. Additionally, the
management unit objectives, public interests and concerns that will be
addressed at the Henderson Lake Management Unit differ substantially
from those present for the other management units at Buffalo Cove, Flat
Lake, Cocodrie Swamp and Beau Bayou. As such, Buffalo Cove, Flat Lake,
Cocodrie Swamp and Beau Bayou will be the subject of a separate SEIS.
B. The development of the freshwater distribution structure
element, of the Henderson Lake Area will serve as a source of
freshwater for the Henderson Lake Management Unit which, with the
implementation of the Henderson Lake Management Unit, will restore
overflow patterns to the extent practicable and encourage water
movement within the Henderson Lake Management Unit area for the benefit
of the aquatic environment.
C. The development of the Recreational Development feature of the
ABFS project will include, but is not limited to; campgrounds for
recreational vehicles, tent, and primitive camping; paddling, hiking
and biking trails; interpretive trails; bird watching facilities; boat
launches; a project visitor center; and certain special and unique
areas. These facilities will accommodate and support public-use in the
ABFS, provide for additional entry into the ABFS to access its
resources, and protect and aide in interpreting specific
environmentally and culturally significant resources. The proposals for
the freshwater distribution structure element of the Henderson Lake
Area Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana project, the Recreational Development
feature of the ABFS project and the Henderson Lake Management Unit
element of the Management Unit feature of the ABFS project are being
investigated in the same document because the operation of the
Henderson Lake Management Unit will have an impact on the nature and
scope of recreational development that can take place in the area
affected by the Henderson Lake Management Unit.
2. Alternatives. The alternative formulation process for the
Henderson Lake Management Unit of the ABFS project and the freshwater
distribution structure element of the Henderson Lake Area Atchafalaya
Basin, Louisiana project will include, but shall not be limited to, an
evaluation of the ``no action alternative'', the original structural
alternative plan as proposed in the 1982 Atchafalaya Basin Floodway
System, Louisiana Final Environmental Impact Statement and Feasibility
Study, and other alternatives, such as dredging, lake draw downs, and
spraying of vegetation, including hydrilla and hyacinth, for the
regulation of water distribution, the improvement of water quality and
interior water circulation, and the restoration, to the extent
possible, of overflow patterns in the Henderson Lake Management Unit
area. Alternative recreational features for the ABFS would be various
combinations of the proposed action recreation feature. The
alternatives analysis for all of these elements will continue to evolve
throughout the development of the SEIS.
3. Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the scope of
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the SEIS. For
this analysis, a letter will be sent to all parties believed to have an
interest in the analysis, requesting their input on alternatives and
issues to be evaluated. The letter will also notify interested parties
of public scoping meetings that will be held in the local area. Notices
will also be sent to local news media. All interested parties are
invited to comment at this time, and anyone interested in this study
should request to be included in the study mailing list.
Public scoping meetings will be held in the vicinity of Lafayette,
St. Martinville, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Depending on public
interest, and if further public coordination is warranted, additional
meetings may be scheduled.
4. Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues
to be evaluated in the SEIS includes wetlands (marshes and swamps),
aquatic resources, commercial and recreational fisheries, wildlife
resources, water quality, air quality, threatened and endangered
species, recreation resources, and cultural resources. Socioeconomic
items to be evaluated in the SEIS include navigation, flood protection,
business and industrial activity, employment, land use, property
values, public/community facilities and services, tax revenues,
population, community and regional growth, transportation, housing,
community cohesion, and noise.
5. Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be assisting in the documentation of
existing conditions and assessment of effects of project alternatives
through Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act consultation procedures. The
USFWS will provide a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report. The
CEMVN will consult with the USFWS concerning threatened and
[[Page 42539]]
endangered species and their critical habitat. The CEMVN will notify
all interested agencies, organizations, and individuals as to
availability of a draft SEIS for review. The CEMVN will coordinate with
the Natural Resources Conservation Service for prime and unique
farmlands. The CEMVN will coordinate with the Advisory Counsel on
Historic Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Officer. The
CEMVN will coordinate with the Louisiana Department of Natural
Resources regarding consistency with the Coastal Zone Management Act.
The CEMVN will contact the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries concerning potential impacts to Natural and Scenic Rivers and
Streams. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality will review
the action for consistency with applicable laws regarding the discharge
of dredged material as it relates to impacting water quality and will
provide the State of Louisiana Water Quality Certification.
6. Estimated Date of Availability. Funding levels will dictate the
date when the draft SEIS will be available for review. The earliest
date that the draft SEIS is expected to be available is in December of
2007.
Dated: July 11, 2005.
Stephen E. Jeselink,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05-14581 Filed 7-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P