[Federal Register: June 13, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 115)]
[Notices]
[Page 33807-33808]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jn08-45]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement/Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Sacramento
River Deep Water Ship Channel, CA
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, (Corps) in
coordination with the Port of Sacramento is preparing a draft
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement /Subsequent Environmental
Impact Report (SEIS/SEIR) to evaluate the action of resuming
construction of navigational improvements to the Sacramento River Deep
Water Ship Channel (SRDWSC). The SRDWSC runs from the Contra Costa
county line to the Port of Sacramento. Construction was initiated in
1989, but work was suspended in 1990 after deepening a portion of the
channel to the authorized depth of 35 feet. The proposed action
involves deepening the existing Federal navigation channel from 30 feet
to 35 feet (mean lower low water) and widening portions of the channel
to improve navigational efficiency for movement of goods and safety.
The SRDWSC project was originally authorized by the River and Harbors
Act of 1946 , Public Law 525, 79th Congress, 2nd Session, and
reauthorized under Section 202(a) of the Water Resources and
Development Act of 1986, Public Law 99-662, 100 Stat. 4092. This is a
notice of intent to prepare an SEIS/SEIR, and to consider alternatives,
evaluate potential impacts of the proposed action, and identify
appropriate mitigation measures.
DATES: A public meeting will be held in West Sacramento on Monday,
June, 30, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public comment period begins
on June 16, 2008. Written comments must be received by July 22, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the West Sacramento City Hall,
1110 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento, CA 95691.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions and comments regarding the
proposed action can be addressed to: Attn.: Bill Brostoff, ET-PA, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, 1455 Market Street,
San Francisco, CA 94103-1398; telephone (415) 503-6867; or
SPNETPA@usace.army.mil. Written comments can also be faxed to (415)
503-6692 or sent electronically to SPNETPA@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background. The SRDWSC is located in the Sacramento--San Joaquin
Delta region of northern California. The 46.5-mile long ship channel
lies within Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, and Yolo Counties and
serves the marine terminal facilities at the Port of Sacramento. The
SRDWSC joins the existing 35-foot deep channel at New York Slough,
thereby affording the Port
[[Page 33808]]
of Sacramento access to San Francisco Bay Area harbors and the Pacific
Ocean. This navigational improvement project was analyzed in the
Feasibility Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement (1980), the
General Design Memorandum and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (1986), and Environmental Assessments (1988, 1991, 1992).
Navigational improvements to the SRDWSC were authorized in the
Supplemental Appropriations of 1985, Public Law 99-88. Construction to
deepen the existing channel to 35 feet was initiated in 1989, but work
was suspended in 1990 at the request of the Port of Sacramento. Two of
six construction contracts, from River Mile 43 to 35 (approximately
eight miles near the Port of Sacramento), have been completed. The
Corps was directed to prepare a reevaluation report in a Conference
Report, H. Rept. 105-749, 105th Congress, 2nd Sess., 1998, by the
Committee of Conference that resolved differences between the House and
Senate versions of the bill that became the Energy and Water
Appropriations Act of 1999.
2. Proposed Action. The proposed project would complete the
deepening and widening of the navigation channel to its authorized
depth of 35 feet. Deepening of the existing ship channel is anticipated
to allow for movement of cargo via larger deeper draft vessels.
Widening portions of the channel would increase navigational safety by
increasing maneuverability.
3. Project Alternatives. Alternatives that are anticipated to be
evaluated in this SEIS/SEIR include, but are not limited to, the
following: (A) No action alternative. (B) Increased use of lighter
aboard ship (LASH); lighters (barges) would be used to transport cargo
from ports in shallow water to larger ocean going vessels birthed in
deeper water. (C) Increased use of intermodal transportation; cargo
would be loaded at other terminal facilities and transported by truck
or railroad, and (D) project depths shallower than 35 feet.
4. Environmental Considerations. The SEIS/SEIR will update the 1980
EIS and the 1986 SEIS and will evaluate changes to project conditions.
The SEIS/SEIR will determine if there are significant new issues,
information, or environmental concerns bearing on the proposed project
and alternatives. The SEIS/SEIR being prepared will reexamine water and
air quality issues, fish and wildlife impacts, and effects to
endangered or threatened species; potential impacts from dredging and
placement of dredged material at upland disposal sites; and the
potential impact of deepening on salinity intrusion in the Delta.
Additionally, the economic benefits of the proposed project and
alternatives will be examined.
5. Scoping Process. The Corps is seeking participation and input of
all interested federal, state, and local agencies, Native American
groups, and other concerned private organizations or individuals on the
scope of the draft SEIS/SEIR through this public notice. The purpose of
the public scoping meeting is to solicit comments regarding the
potential impacts, environmental issues, and alternatives associated
with the proposed action to be considered in the draft SEIS/SEIR. The
meeting place, date and time will be advertised in advance in local
newspapers, and meeting announcement letters will be sent to interested
parties. The draft SEIS/SEIR will be available for public review and
comment in May 2009. The final SEIS/SEIR will be available for review
in October 2009.
6. Availability of SEIS/SEIR. The public will have an additional
opportunity to comment on project alternatives once the draft SEIS/SEIR
is released. The Corps will announce availability of the draft SEIS/
SEIR in the Federal Register and other media, and will provide a 45-day
public review period for the public, organizations, and agencies to
review and comment on the SEIS/SEIR. All submitted comments will be
addressed in the final SEIS/SEIR.
Craig W. Kiley,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Commanding.
[FR Doc. E8-13339 Filed 6-12-08; 8:45 am]
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