[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 54 (Monday, March 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6512]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[CGD09-94-001]

 

Notice of National Environmental Policy Act Activity

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice; Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is preparing an EIS for the Ninth Coast Guard 
District icebreaking activity on the Great Lakes. In addition, the 
Coast Guard will consider the U.S. Army Detroit District Corps of 
Engineers final EIS, EIS supplements, and EIS studies on Operations, 
Maintenance, and Minor Improvements of the Federal Facilities at Sault 
Ste. Marie, Michigan. Additionally, the Coast Guard has signed 
Memorandums of Agreements (MOAs) on winter navigation operations 
(August 1993) and participation in EIS studies (October 1993) with the 
Detroit District Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. To assist us in 
determining relevant issues for the EIS we will hold a public scoping 
meeting.

DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held on March 31, 1994, at 10 
a.m. in room 2045 of the Ninth Coast Guard District 1240 East Ninth 
Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Scoping comments must be received by April 15, 
1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, or requests should be sent to Gary 
Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit, room 2179, 1240 East 
Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio, 44199-2060.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gary Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard, (216) 522-3934 Ext. 635. Anyone wishing 
to make a presentation at the scoping meeting is requested to call this 
number and give the following information: name; organization, (if 
any); address; and the estimated amount of time needed to comment, (10 
minute time-limit goal).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Proposed Action

    The preparation of an EIS and a scoping meeting for Ninth Coast 
Guard District icebreaking activity on the Great Lakes.

Alternatives

    Project alternatives are identified in the Corps EIS supplements.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, as 
amended, and Coast Guard policy encouraging all interested or affected 
parties to participate in the early consultation process, the Coast 
Guard requests scoping comments. Scoping involves determining the scope 
of issues to be addressed and identifying significant issues for in-
depth analysis in the environmental document. The scoping process 
includes public participation to integrate information regarding public 
needs and concerns into the environmental document.
    Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written comments. 
These comments should specifically describe environmental issues or 
topics which the commentator believes the document should address. 
Comments should be mailed to the Coast Guard address listed above no 
later than April 15, 1994.

Background and Discussion

    In a letter received on February 26, 1993, the Michigan Department 
of Natural Resources advised the Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard 
District of concerns over the environmental impact of ship transits 
through the St. Marys River during the period of March 21 to April 1. 
April 1 is the nominal date for the opening of the locks at Sault Ste. 
Marie, which allows large commercial shipping access to the St. Marys 
River from Lake Superior. Recent environmental impact statement 
supplements and studies by the United States Army Corps of Engineers 
indicate that March 21 is the optimal opening date. [See U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Opening 
Operations of the Lock Facilities on 21 March (February 1993), 
Supplement III to the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Operations, 
Maintenance, and Minor Improvements of the Federal Facilities at Sault 
Ste. Marie, Michigan (July 1977)].
    The environmental analysis of Great Lakes icebreaking activities 
will address concerns raised by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the public. The EIS will 
examine hazardous material spill response on the Great Lakes, 
icebreaking lane frequency (number, locations, size, dates, times), 
number of Coast Guard vessels involved in icebreaking (size, 
turbulence), water quality, channel depth, endangered and threatened 
species, and other relevant key issues discovered in ongoing 
environmental studies.
    In accordance with an agreement reached June 29, 1993 with the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the 
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Commander of the Ninth 
Coast Guard District has established a temporary change to the speed 
regulations, as a precautionary measure, in order to minimize any 
possible damage to the environment. The speed limit is reduced by 2 
statute miles per hour in the area between Munuscong Lake Lighted Buoy 
8 and Lake Nicolet Light 80, upbound, and between Lake Nicolet Lighted 
Buoy 80 and Munuscong Lake Light 9, downbound. The Light 9 checkpoint 
has been added to extend the reduced speed limit area past Winter 
Point, thereby protecting the sensitive environment between Winter 
Point and Light 9. Speed limits apply to the average speed between 
established reporting points. The temporary final rule addressing 
vessel speed changes in the St. Marys River was published in the 
Federal Register, and is effective through April 15, 1994.

Drafting Information

    The drafter of this notice is Gary Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard, Civil 
Engineering Unit, Cleveland, Ohio.

    Dated: March 8, 1994.
Rudy K. Peschel,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 94-6512 Filed 3-18-94; 8:45 am]
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