[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24664]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army

 

Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the Cape Fear River Feasibility Study, New Hanover 
and Brunswick Counties, North Carolina

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington, District, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: Deepening of the existing channel from the ocean bar to the 
Port of Wilmington is the central feature of the proposed action. Other 
features included in the proposed action consist of widening three 
turning basins and extending the deep draft project about 1.5 miles 
further up the North East Cape Fear River. The total length of 
improvements is approximately 35 miles. Benefits which will accrue from 
deepening of Wilmington Harbor include reductions in lightloading of 
vessels and vessel delays. Shippers will also be able to use larger, 
more efficient vessels.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, District, 
Environmental Resources Branch, PO Box 1890, Wilmington, North Carolina 
28402-1890.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Frank Yelverton, Telephone: (910)251-4640.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Three alternative depths are being 
considered for the ocean bar channel (42, 44, and 46 feet plus 
overdepth) and generally three alternative depths for the river 
channels (40, 42, and 44 feet plus overdepth). Four types of dredging 
equipment may be used in this action. A hopper dredge may be used in 
the lowest end of the project and a bucket and barge dredge in the 
middle reaches of the river (up to about mile 25). A rock dredge with 
disposal in barges may be used where rock is present downstream of mile 
25. The hopper, bucket and barge, and rock dredges will probably 
dispose of dredged material in the approved ocean dredged material 
disposal site (ODMDS). A standard hydraulic pipeline or rock dredge may 
be used from about mile 25 upstream. The dredged material upstream of 
mile 25 will be pumped to Eagle Island. In the project where rock is to 
hard to dredge, the rock will require blasting. This rock will then be 
removed and placed in the ODMDS or in Eagle Island.
    If suitable rock material is available downstream of mile 25, 
instead of placement of the rocky material in the ODMDS, an offshore 
fisheries enhancement structure may be created.
    All private parties and Federal, State, and local agencies having 
an interest in the study are hereby notified of the study and are 
invited to comment at this time. Also, scoping letter requesting input 
to the study was set to all known interested parties on September 18, 
1992.
    Based on comments received to date, a scoping meeting will not be 
needed. All comments received as a result of this notice of intent and 
the scoping letter will be considered in the preparation of the DEIS.
    Significant issues to be analyzed in the DEIS include:
    (1) Dredging of benthic resources,
    (2) Blasting impacts on primary nursery areas, anadromous fish, the 
endangered shortnose sturgeon, sea turtles and marine mammals,
    (3) Potential Increased salinity especially in upstream areas,
    (4) Loss of wetlands due to widening of turning basins,
    (5) Impacts to cultural resources.
    The lead agency for this project is the U.S. Army Engineer 
District, Wilmington. Cooperating agency status has to been assigned 
to, nor requested by, any other agency.
    The DEIS is being prepared in accordance with the requirements of 
the National Environmental Policy of 1969, as amended, and will address 
the relationship of the proposed action to all other applicable Federal 
and State Laws and Executive Orders.
    The DEIS is currently scheduled to be available in January 1996.
Kenneth L. Denton,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-24664 Filed 10-4-94; 8:45 am]
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