[Federal Register: August 16, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 158)]
[Notices]
[Page 47191-47192]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16au06-55]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement To Evaluate
the Impacts Associated With a Previously Authorized Pier Extension in
Strait of Georgia at Cherry Point, Near Ferndale, Whatcom County, WA
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Seattle District is
the permitting agency and lead Federal agency for this action. The U.S
Coast Guard (USCG) is cooperating agency. The Corps is announcing its
intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EIS will support the
Corps' permit evaluation process under Section 10 of the Rivers and
Harbors Act for the BP Cherry Point marine pier extension.
DATES: Submit comments by September 15, 2006.
[[Page 47192]]
Scoping meetings for this project will be held on:
1. September 5, 2005 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Port Angeles, WA. An
open house will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. prior to the meeting.
2. September 7, 2006 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Anacortes, WA. An
open house will be head from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. prior to the meeting.
3. September 12, 2006 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Ferndale, WA. An open
house will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. prior to the meeting.
4. September 13, 2006 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Seattle, WA. An open
house will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. prior to the meeting.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS or requests for
information should be sent to Mrs. Olivia Romano at the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Seattle Regulatory Branch, Post Office Box 3755, Seattle,
Washington 98124-3755, or sent via e-mail to
Olivia.h.romano@usace.army.mil.
The scoping meetings will be held at:
1. Port Angeles: The Port Angeles Public Library on 22108 Peabody
Street, in Port Angeles, Washington.
2. Anacortes: The Seafarer's Memorial Park Building on 601 14th
Street, in Anacortes, Washington.
3. Ferndale: The American Legion Hall on 5537 2nd Avenue, in
Ferndale, Washington.
4. Seattle: The Federal Center South, 4735 East Marginal Way South,
Seattle, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Olivia Romano at the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Seattle Regulatory Branch, 4735 E. Marginal Way
South, Seattle, Washington 98134, (206) 764-6960, or e-mail to
Olivia.h.romano@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps has been directed by Ninth Circuit
Court of Appeals to complete an EIS on the impacts of the permitted
pier extension, including vessel traffic study and risk of oil spills
from potential increase in oil tanker traffic in Puget Sound and
reevaluate the pier extension's potential violation of the Magnuson
Amendment of the Marine Mammals Protection Act.
Proposed Action
To evaluate the potential environmental impacts for the continued
operation of the pier extension (north wing) to the existing BP Cherry
Point dock. The evaluation will include a vessel traffic study and oil
spill risk analyses for the all vessels unloading and loading at the
dock.
Preliminary Alternatives to the Proposed Action
The EIS will evaluate a range of alternatives including a No Action
Alternative. The EIS will consider alternatives that may result from
comments received during the agency and public scoping period. The EIS
will also discuss alternatives considered and eliminated from further
detailed study. The Corps will use this evaluation to determine
compliance with Section 10 of Rivers and Harbors Act and compliance
with Magnuson Amendment of Marine Mammals Protection Act.
EIS Scoping Process
The EIS process begins with the publication of this Notice of
Intent. The scoping period will continue for 30 days after publication
of this Notice of Intent and will close on September 15, 2006. During
the scoping period the Corps invite Federal agencies, State and local
governments, Native American Tribes, and the public to participate in
the scoping process either by providing written comments or by
attending the public scoping meetings scheduled for September 5, 6, 7,
and 13, 2006 at the time and location indicated above. We have
identified the following as probable major topics to be analyzed in
depth in the Draft EIS: Oil spill impacts on aquatic resources, fish
and wildlife habitat functions, threatened and endangered species
impacts, surface water quality, and cumulative impacts. Both written
and oral scoping comments will be considered in the preparation of the
Draft EIS. Comments postmarked or received by e-mail after the
specified date will be considered to the extent feasible.
The purpose of the scoping meeting is to assist the Corps and U.S.
Coast Guard in defining issues, public concerns, alternatives, and the
depth to which they will be evaluated in the EIS. The public scoping
meeting will begin with a briefing on the existing BP dock and the
vessel traffic study. Copies of the meeting handouts will be available
to anyone unable to attend by contacting the Corps Seattle District as
described in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Following the
initial presentation, Corps representatives will answer scope-related
questions and accept comments.
EIS Preparation
Development of the Draft EIS will begin after the close of the
public scoping period. The Draft EIS is expected to be available for
public review in the fall of 2008.
Other Environmental Review and Consultations
To the fullest extent possible, the EIS will be integrated with
analysis and consultation required by the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (Pub. L. 93-205; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended
(Pub. L. 94-265; 16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.), the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (Pub. L. 89-655; 16 U.S.C. 470, et
seq.); the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, as amended (Pub.
L. 85-624; 16 U.S.C 742a, et seq. and 661-666c); and the Clean Water
Act of 1977, as amended (Pub. L. 92-500; 33 U.S.C. 1251, et seq.); and
all applicable and appropriate Executive Orders.
Dated: August 10, 2006.
Michelle Walker,
Chief, Regulatory Branch, Seattle District.
[FR Doc. E6-13473 Filed 8-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-ER-P