[Federal Register: August 3, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 148)]
[Notices]
[Page 44586-44588]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03au05-81]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (DSEIS) for the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System, Louisiana
Project, Including Flat Lake Management Unit, Beau Bayou Management
Unit and Cocodrie Swamp Management Unit, and Possible Modifications or
Additions to the Buffalo Cove Management Unit, Located in St. Martin,
St. Mary, Iberville, and Iberia Parishes, LA
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District
(CEMVN), intends to evaluate water management features for the
Atchafalaya Basin Floodway, System, Louisiana Project, excluding the
Henderson Lake Management Unit, 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. The 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) that would
become scarce over time 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. This is a modification of the notice of intent posted in the
Federal Register on July 16, 2004 (69 FR 42696).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the DSEIS should
be addressed to Mr. Larry Hartzog at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, PM-
RP, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, LA 70160-0267, phone (504) 862-2524,
mvn02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps of Engineers is initiating this
DSEIS under the authority of the Flood Control Act of May 15, 1928
(Pub. L. 391, 70th Congress), as amended and supplemented. Construction
of two pilot management units (Buffalo Cove and Henderson Lake) was
authorized by the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1985 (Pub. L. 99-
88) and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-
662), with construction of three conditionally authorized management
units--Flat Lake Management Unit, Beau Bayou Management Unit, and
Cocodrie Swamp Management Unit to take place upon approval of the Chief
of Engineers after evaluation of the operational success of the pilot
management units. (Hereafter, the three conditionally authorized
management units will be collectively referred to as ``conditionally
authorized management units''.) Section 601(a) of WRDA 1986 authorized
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the recommended plan for
management units as described in the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System,
Louisiana Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement of
January 1982, as approved by the Chief of Engineers Report dated
February 28, 1983.
The Engineering Documentation Report (EDR), Buffalo Cove Pilot
Management Unit (BCMU) and supporting Environmental Assessment (EA) No.
366 and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on July 15, 2004,
satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) for the referenced pilot water management unit impacts. The
expected results of these improvements, while beneficially effective
alone, will continue to contribute to the entire comprehensive BCMU
improvements in water quality and habitat that will be expanded as
additional possible elements are added in the future. Because the BCMU
constitutes a ``pilot'' management unit, both the EDR and EA No. 366
clearly identify the possibility that additional future work may be
recommended in the BCMU if the analysis of the operational monitoring
data supports a finding that the present EDR elements do not fully
accomplish the goals and objectives of the authorized management unit
project.
The preparation of the DSEIS addressed by this NOI will commence
and continue concurrently with the monitored construction and
operation, data collection and analysis of the BCMU water circulation
improvements and sediment management initiatives (as described in EA
No. 366), as well as analysis and solicitation of public and resource
agency input. Monitoring of the 10 elements and the elements
constructed for the Bayou Eugene Prototype Model Test Modification
(``Bayou Eugene''), comprising the water circulation and sediment
management initiatives (described in EA No. 366) will continue for a
period of 5 years following the construction of the last of the
elements described in EA No. 366. If data collected during and prior to
the end of the 5 year monitoring period indicates that modifications or
relocations of elements within the bounds of the original project
rights-of-way or areas of influence are needed to achieve the goals and
objectives for fish and wildlife enhancement, a report will be prepared
and submitted for approval. The DSEIS will be prepared following the
incorporation and analysis of the data from the completed construction
monitoring of the 10 elements as described in the approved EDR and EA
No. 366. Construction monitoring described in the approved EDR is
scheduled for completion 5 years after the construction of the last of
the 10 elements is completed. Based on this completion date,
construction monitoring and the concurrent DSEIS are currently
estimated to be completed in 2012. The DSEIS will utilize the
monitoring data to evaluate the
[[Page 44587]]
operational effectiveness of the Bayou Eugene elements and the 10
elements described in EA No. 366 on the areas of influence outlined in
EA No. 366. In addition, the DSEIS will evaluate the possible need for
and effect of additional elements, and modifications or relocations of
previously constructed elements to accomplish the fish and wildlife
enhancement goals for the entire BCMU. The contemplated DSEIS will
provide an overall evaluation of the influence of both previously
constructed prototype model study features along Bayou Eugene, the
currently proposed 10 elements (as described in EA No. 366), possible
modifications, additions or relocations associated with the monitoring
findings of EA No. 366, and the environmental impacts of the possible
additional elements. Based on the analysis and evaluation of the
operational effectiveness of the BCMU elements, including the Bayou
Eugene elements, in enhancing the aquatic ecosystem and attaining the
fish and wildlife enhancement goals of the management unit feature of
the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System, Louisiana project (ABFS), the
DSEIS will investigate the feasibility of, and formulate
recommendations for, the implementation and construction of the
conditionally authorized management units. Henderson Lake Management
Unit (Henderson Lake) is hydrologically separate and independent from
all of the other authorized management units. Additionally, the
management unit objectives, public interests and concerns that will be
addressed at Henderson Lake differ substantially from those present for
the other management units at Buffalo Cove, Flat Lake, Cocodrie Swamp
and Beau Bayou. As such, Henderson Lake will be the subject of a
separate DSEIS.
1. Proposed Action. The proposed action will consist of a series of
closures and sediment traps (to reduce sediment influx); construction
of new, or improvement of existing inputs for river water; and gap
construction in existing embankments. Closures will be placed in areas
that have the greatest potential for introduction of sediment. Closure
heights will be designed to optimize sediment reduction. Construction
of water inputs will be evaluated in areas where sediment-lean, fresh
water sources can be easily connected to existing canals or bayous to
conduit water into areas of poor water quality. Sediment traps will be
designed as necessary in conjunction with the freshwater input sites.
Gaps will be sized and placed in both elevated natural banks as well as
dredged material embankments that impede water flow or induce
stagnation. These gaps are primarily intended to improve drainage and
reestablish flow through the interior swamp basin. Excavated material
will be either placed in a non-continuous manner in order to not
disrupt sheet flow, or if practicable, the material will be used to
create closures.
2. Alternatives. The alternative formulation process will include
an evaluation of the ``no action alternative'', a monitored passive
management plan, and the original structural alternative plan as
proposed in the 1982 Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System, Louisiana Final
Environmental Impact Statement which included construction of ring
levees and active structures. The current alternatives analysis will
continue to evolve throughout the development of the DSEIS.
Alternatives to be evaluated include different methods of sediment
reduction, water input, and improving internal circulation within the
management unit. Sediment reduction alternatives will include the use
of various sediment trap sizes and placements, construction of sediment
traps with and without maintenance, and monitoring the effectiveness of
sediment reduction utilizing both partial and complete closures at
sites of suspected sediment inputs. Alternative methods will also be
evaluated for water introduction and include; diverse configurations of
water inputs (sinuous, straight, length and depth), improvements to
existing natural and manmade inlets, reopening natural and man-made
inputs, and siting of bank shavings to reduce barriers to water input.
In addition, various sizes, numbers and placement of gaps in existing
canal banks, ridges and other internal circulation impediments will be
considered in the alternatives.
3. Scoping Process. The Council on Environmental Quality
regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
process directs Federal agencies that have made a decision to prepare
an environmental impact statement to engage in a public scoping
process. The scoping process is designed to provide an early and open
means of determining the scope of issues (problems, needs, and
opportunities) to be identified and addressed in the draft
environmental impact assessment, which in this case is a DSEIS.
Scoping is the process used to: (a) Identify the affected public
and agency concerns; (b) facilitate an efficient DSEIS preparation
process; (c) define the issues and alternatives that will be examined
in detail in the DSEIS; (d) and save time in the overall process by
helping to ensure that the draft statements adequately address relevant
issues. Scoping is a part of the planning process, and will involve
meetings, telephone conversations, and/or written comments. Scoping
comments will be compiled, analyzed, and utilized in the plan
formulation. A scoping report, summarizing the comments, will be made
available to all scoping participants and included in the public
involvement appendix of the report and DSEIS.
a. Public Involvement. Scoping is a critical component of the
overall public involvement program. An intensive public involvement
program will continue throughout the study to solicit input from
affected Federal, state, and local agencies, Native American tribes,
and other interested parties. This public input will be obtained
through a series of scoping meetings open to the general public. In
addition to these meetings there will be additional continual public
involvement through the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Division's Atchafalaya Basin Advisory Committee meetings on Water
Management. CEMVN personnel will be available for additional
informational meetings if needed or requested by various interested
and/or affected public, private and conservation interests such as:
landowners, oil and gas interests, commercial and recreational hunters
and fishers, forestry interests, and the Sierra Club, Nature
Conservancy, Audubon Society or other conservation organizations.
b. Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues
to be evaluated in the DSEIS includes forested wetlands (includes
cypress/tupelo swamp as well as infrequently inundated areas of ash,
oak, elm, hackberry and cypress), water quality, aquatic resources,
commercial and recreational fisheries, wildlife resources, essential
fish habitat, water quality, air quality, threatened and endangered
species, recreation resources, and cultural resources. Socioeconomic
items to be evaluated in the DSEIS include employment, land use,
property values, community and regional growth, transportation,
housing, and community cohesion.
c. Interagency Coordination. The Department of Interior, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS), will provide a Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act Report. Coordination will be maintained with the
Natural Resources Conservation Service regarding prime and unique
farmlands. Coordination will be maintained with the Advisory Counsel on
Historic Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Officer.
[[Page 44588]]
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources will be consulted
regarding consistency with the Coastal Zone Management Act. The
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be contacted
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.
d. 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.
Consultation will be accomplished with the USFWS and the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) concerning threatened and endangered
species and their critical habitat. The NMFS will be consulted on the
effects of this proposed action on Essential Fish Habitat. The DSEIS or
a notice of its availability will be distributed to all interested
agencies, organizations, and individuals.
4. Public scoping meetings are to be scheduled throughout the DSEIS
preparation period. Based on available funding the tentative meeting
locations will be Baton Rouge, Lafayette and St. Martinsville, LA.
Exact dates and meeting facility will be announced by public notice at
a later date. The purpose of the scoping meeting is to provide the
agencies and the interested public with the initial conceptual designs,
known preliminary designs and other designs under consideration for the
proposed management unit project for the Buffalo Cove Management Unit
and issues concerning its construction and operation. If determined to
be feasible and appropriate for implementation (based upon the
determinations of the operational effectiveness of the BCMU) scoping
meetings will also provide the agencies and the interested public with
the initial conceptual designs, preliminary designs known and designs
under consideration for the proposed for the conditionally authorized
management units and issues concerning their construction and
operation. These scoping meetings will be sequenced such that the data
stream from the ongoing monitoring (associated with the 10 elements in
the BCMU) can be utilized to assist in the formulation and design of
elements planned for the three conditionally authorized management
units. The scoping process, more importantly, will provide the
opportunity to solicit public views on the proposed action and provide
input to development of project alternatives. The initial scoping
meetings will focus on the Buffalo Cove Management Unit (including the
operational success of the ten elements described in EA No. 366,
modification of those ten elements and construction of new elements for
the Buffalo Cove Management Unit) and preliminary discussions of
problems and possible alternatives for the three conditionally
authorized management units. As additional information is available on
the operational effectiveness of the monitored EA No. 366 elements and
as the existing conditions and potential management alternatives for
the conditionally authorized management units are better defined, the
agenda of the scoping meetings will be expanded to address the
feasibility of implementing the conditionally authorized management
units.
5. Estimated Date of Availability. Funding levels will dictate the
date when the DSEIS is available. The earliest that the DSEIS is
expected to be available is in the fall of 2012.
Dated: July 18, 2005.
Richard P. Wagenaar,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05-15298 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
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