[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 97 (Friday, May 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X94-10520]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration

 

Interagency Working Group on the Dredging Process; Public 
Meetings and Availability of Options Paper

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings; availability of options paper.

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SUMMARY: In October, 1993, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Federico 
Pena convened an Interagency Working Group on the Dredging Process 
(Group) to look at ways to improve the dredging process. The Group is 
comprised of representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, 
the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
National Marine Fisheries Service and the Office of Ocean and Coastal 
Resource Management of the Department of Commerce, the Department of 
the Army's Corps of Engineers, and the Maritime Administration from the 
Department of Transportation. The Group is composed solely of 
government employees and therefore is not governed by the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act. A range of ideas from the public concerning 
ideas on ways to improve the dredging process have been solicited in a 
series of ten regional public listening sessions held in January and 
February. Since the first round of public meetings the Group has 
produced an Options Paper addressing the dredging process which has 
taken into consideration many of the comments expressed through the 
outreach program. To discuss the Options Paper and get further public 
response to the five issue areas identified below, the Group will be 
holding a second series of regional public meetings. This notices lists 
the locations, time and dates for the outreach session.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Please contact Carl Sobremisana, Outreach Coordinator, Maritime 
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., room 7201, Washington, DC 20590; Phone (202) 366-1765/5471; FAX 
(202) 366-6988; Internet address: Carl--S[email protected].
gov
    Single copies of the Options Paper can be obtained by contacting 
Ms. Brenda Reed at 400 Seventh Street, SW., room 7201, Washington, DC 
20590; Phone (202) 366-1765; FAX (202) 366-6988; Internet address: 
Brenda--R[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Group's objective is to bring about 
greater certainty and predictability in the dredging process by 
reviewing and identifying ways of improving interagency coordination, 
information gathering, criteria review, and overall sequencing of 
approvals; and, to facilitate effective long-term management strategies 
for addressing dredging and disposal needs at both the national and 
local levels. The Options Paper presents resolution options for the 
dredging process. These options are preliminary and are intended to 
foster discussion. They do not represent conclusions or recommendations 
of the Group. In addition, the options should not be considered 
mutually exclusive. Each option should be evaluated both individually 
and in conjunction with other options.
    Each set of options is preceded by a brief statement about the 
issue area. They are then listed, along with clarifying information 
and/or relevant examples. Please note that the options address the 
Federally initiated ``new'' navigation projects (i.e., deepening and 
widening of channels) as well as operations and maintenance dredging 
and the related permit application process. The options cover the 
following five issue areas:
     Federal Interagency and External Coordination--options 
discussing ways to improve the overall working relationships regarding 
the review of dredging proposals.
     Proactive Local Planning and Coordination--options 
concerning development of effective advanced planning mechanisms which 
adequately address dredging and dredged material disposal projects and 
include greater State, local, and public participation.
     Dredged Material Disposal--options involve mechanisms 
needed to allow responsible parties to better plan for and more 
effectively manage dredged material disposal decisions.
     Dredging Policy--options discuss what is an appropriate 
national policy with respect dredging and at what level of government 
should these decisions be made and what mechanisms need to be developed 
to implement and coordinate these decisions.
     Funding and Project Development--options discuss whether 
policy and procedural changes should be adopted for funding the 
development, improvement, and maintenance of deep draft navigation 
channels and harbors, including the disposal of dredged material, what 
is the national interest in federally funding dredging projects, and 
what criteria should be used for funding port activities.
    All meetings are open to the public and public participation is 
encouraged. Advanced notice of attendance will be appreciated and can 
be made by phone or FAX as noted above. Written comments on the Options 
Paper should be submitted to the contact person above by June 15, 1994.

                Interagency Working Group on the Dredging Process Second Round Outreach Sessions                
                                                   [Schedule]                                                   
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                       Locations                                       Dates                        Times       
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Washington, DC, U.S. Department of Transportation,       May 18th, Wednesday..............  1-5 p.m.            
 Nassif Building, Room 2201, 400-7th St SW.                                                                     
Savannah, GA, Hyatt Regency Hotel, 2 West Bay Street...  May 23rd, Monday.................  1-5 p.m.            
Cambridge, MA, Volpe National Transportation Systems     May 25th, Wednesday..............  1-5 p.m.            
 Center (Auditorium), 55 Broadway, Kendall Square.                                                              
Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute of Technology, River      May 26th, Thursday...............  1-5 p.m.            
 Road, Stevens Center, Bessinger Room, 4th Floor.                                                               
Des Plaines, IL, Federal Aviation Administration Bldg,   May 26th, Thursday...............  1-5 p.m.            
 2300 East Devon, Room 170.                                                                                     
Portland, OR, Federal Building Auditorium, 911 NE 11th   May 31st, Tuesday................  1-5 p.m.            
 Avenue.                                                                                                        
New Orleans, LA, New Orleans Board of Trade, 316 Board   May 31st, Tuesday................  12:30-4:40.         
 of Trade Place.                                                                                                
Oakland, CA, Federal Auditorium Building, 1301 Clay      June 1st, Wednesday..............  1-5 p.m.            
 St., 3rd Floor.                                                                                                
Houston, TX, U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals   June 1st, Wednesday..............  1-5 p.m.            
 Management Services, 4141 N. Sam Houston Parkway, Room                                                         
 100.                                                                                                           
San Pedro, CA, Port of Los Angeles, 425 S. Palos Verdes  June 2nd, Thursday...............  1-5 p.m.            
 Street.                                                                                                        
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    Dated: May 13, 1994.
Joan B. Yim,
Deputy Maritime Administrator.
[FR Doc. 12271 Filed 5-19-94; 8:45]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-M