[Federal Register: September 26, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 188)]
[Notices]
[Page 55822-55823]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26se08-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement/ Environmental Impact Report for the San Pedro Waterfront
Project, Los Angeles County, CA
AGENCY: Department of the Army--U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District
(Regulatory Division), in coordination with the Port of Los Angeles,
has completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental
Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the San Pedro Waterfront Project,
encompassing approximately 400 acres of land and water primarily along
the west side of the Main Channel westward to Harbor Boulevard from the
Vincent Thomas Bridge southward to Inner Cabrillo Beach in the Port of
Los Angeles. The Port of Los Angeles requires authorization pursuant to
section 404 of the Clean Water Act, section 10 of the Rivers and
Harbors Act, and section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and
Sanctuaries Act, to implement various regulated activities in and over
waters of the U.S. associated with redeveloping San Pedro Waterfront,
which would include the following elements:
Promenade, Harbors, and Open Space
Waterfront Promenade--Construct a continuous promenade
approximately 30 feet wide along the west side of the Main Channel
through the project area.
Three New Harbors (North Harbor, Downtown Harbor, and 7th Street
Harbor)--Develop three new harbors along the west side of the Main
Channel to provide berthing for visiting tall ships, tugboats, and
other vessels used for recreational, commercial, and other port-related
purposes. This would require excavation and dredging to create the
approximately 7 acres of new surface water. Cleaner material would to
be disposed of at a designated ocean site (LA-2/LA-3), and unsuitable
material to be disposed of at an approved upland site. In-harbor sites
would also be considered if any become available.
7th Street Pier--The constructed 7th Street Pier would be the
public dock for short-term berthing of visiting vessels and would be
located within the 7th Street Harbor, adjacent to the Los Angeles
Maritime Museum.
Town Square--The Town Square would comprise approximately 0.79 acre
in front of the historic San Pedro
[[Page 55823]]
Municipal Ferry Building (existing Los Angeles Maritime Museum) at the
foot of 6th Street and would incorporate a portion of the downtown
promenade.
Downtown Civic Fountain--The Downtown Civic Fountain would be
adjacent to the Town Square. The water feature would be designed to
complement the civic setting of the adjacent San Pedro City Hall
Building and the Town Square, and simulate the extension of the 7th
Street Harbor to the San Pedro City Hall Building.
John S. Gibson Jr. Park--John S. Gibson Jr. Park is an existing
1.61-acre park located south of the 5th Street green. The intent is to
maintain the existing memorials at the park and enhance their
surroundings to highlight their historical and cultural significance
with improved hardscape, landscaping, lighting, and interpretive
signage elements.
Fishermen's Park--The proposed Fishermen's Park would encompass
approximately 3 acres within Ports O'Call.
Outer Harbor Park--The proposed Outer Harbor Park would encompass
approximately 6 acres at the Outer Harbor and would be designed as an
integral feature and complementary to the secure operations of the
proposed Outer Harbor Cruise Terminals.
San Pedro Park--The proposed San Pedro Park would encompass 18
acres located north of 22nd Street, south of Crescent Avenue, and west
of Sampson Way.
Warehouses Nos. 9 and 10 and associated backland area--Adapt the
area for low-intensity community-serving commercial or educational
reuse that would be incorporated as an integral element of San Pedro
Park.
New Development, Redevelopment, Cultural Attractions, and Modifications
to Existing Tenants, Including Development of the New Cruise Terminals
Cruise Terminals--Upgrade Berths 45-47 for use as a cruise ship
berth including terminal construction, and construct a new cruise ship
berth and terminal at Berths 49-50 in the Outer Harbor.
Cruise Terminal Parking--The proposed upgrades to Berths 45-47 and
new cruise ship terminal, the construction of a new cruise berth and
terminal facility at Berths 49-50 in the Outer Harbor, and projected
increases in ship calls and passengers at Berths 91-93 would require
additional parking facilities. The parking for the combined cruise ship
facilities would be located in the Inner Harbor and Outer Harbor.
Ports O'Call Redevelopment--Redevelop and construct new commercial
development within Ports O'Call Village. The redevelopment and
additional development at Ports O'Call would require an increase in
parking spaces. Parking would be provided at a number of locations
within the Port and near Ports O'Call.
Tug Operations--Renew leases and construct two new 10,000-square-
foot buildings around the North Harbor for both Crowley and Millennium
tug boats. Dispatching of tugs varies from day to day, and the impacts
associated with tugboat operations are or will be accounted for in the
respective projects that utilize tugboats.
Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI)--Issue a new lease and reuse
the Crowley Building in the Downtown Harbor area for LAMI.
Berth 240 Fueling Station--A new fueling station would be developed
at Berth 240 on Terminal Island (i.e., along the east side of the Main
Channel).
Catalina Express Terminal and SS Lane Victory--Permanently relocate
the Catalina Express Terminal berthing facilities from Berths 95-96 to
the existing location of the S.S. Lane Victory at Berth 94. S.S. Lane
Victory would be relocated to the North Harbor water cut.
Transportation Improvements
Sampson Way--This road would be expanded to two lanes in each
direction and curve near the Municipal Fish Market to meet with 22nd
Street in its westward alignment east of Miner Street. The proposed
construction would also include an enhanced four-way intersection at
Sampson Way and 7th Street to provide improved access to and along the
waterfront.
Harbor Boulevard--This road would remain in place at its current
capacity with two lanes in each direction. Landscaping and hardscape
improvements are proposed along the east side and west side of Harbor
Boulevard south of 7th Street, as well as in the median of Harbor
Boulevard starting at the Swinford Street intersection, and would
extend south to 22nd Street.
The Waterfront Red Car Line--This line would be extended from its
existing terminus near the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Miner
Street and 22nd Street to City Dock No. 1 (adjacent to Warehouse No.
1), to the Outer Harbor along Miner Street, and to Inner Cabrillo Beach
along Shoshonean Road.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or comments concerning the
Draft EIS/EIR should be directed to Dr. Spencer D. MacNeil, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division, Ventura
Field Office, 2151 Alessandro Drive, Suite 110, Ventura, CA 93001,
(805) 585-2152.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Port of Los Angeles and U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers will jointly hold a public hearing to receive public
comments and to assess pubic concerns regarding the Draft EIS/EIR and
project on October 27, 2008 starting at 6 p.m. in the Crowne Plaza
Hotel in San Pedro (601 S. Palos Verdes Street). Written comments will
be accepted until the close of public review on December 8, 2008.
David J. Castanon,
Chief, Regulatory Division, Los Angeles District.
[FR Doc. E8-22641 Filed 9-25-08; 8:45 am]
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