[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 111 (Friday, June 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29081-29082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14379]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers


Chesapeake and Delaware Canal-Baltimore Harbor Connecting 
Channels (Deepening) Feasibility Study

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District will 
hold a public meeting on Tuesday July 9, 1996 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm 
at the Bohemia Manor High School on Route 213 in Chesapeake City, 
Maryland. The meeting is being held to discuss the recently completed 
draft feasibility report titled: Chesapeake and Delaware Canal-
Baltimore Harbor Connecting Channels (Deepening) Delaware and Maryland, 
Draft Feasibility Report and Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The 
report evaluates the present authorized dimensions and operations of 
the canal and bay channels, and considers the need to better 
accommodate current and future shipping traffic. The report was 
submitted on May 10, 1996 for a formal public review that will last 
until June 24, 1996.The feasibility study is being cost-shared by the 
Federal government and the Maryland Department of Transportation-
Maryland Port Administration, the non-Federal project sponsor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Frank Master, Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, 
Philadelphia, PA. 19107-3390, (215) 656-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The goal of the study is to determine an 
appropriate plan for the efficient use and development of the 
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Bay System. The study considered 
structural and non-structural measures that could be implemented to 
increase the efficiency of the navigation channel, and dredged material 
disposal capacity requirements for a 50 year study period. Alternatives 
were evaluated with regard to potential impacts to the natural and 
social environments.
    Based on economic and environmental analyses, the selected plan 
consists of a navigation project for the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal 
and the Baltimore Harbor Connecting Channels. The plan provides for a 
full width channel (450 and 600 feet) with a 40-foot mean low water 
(MLW) depth and an allowable overdepth of 1 foot,

[[Page 29082]]

the enlargement of the Reedy Point flare, bend widening at Sandy Point, 
and construction of an emergency anchorage at Howell Point. The plan 
also includes aids to navigation and lands, easements, rights-of-way, 
and disposal areas as required for the initial construction and 
maintenance of the project. Dredged material quantities for the project 
are approximately 18.0 million cubic yards.
    The selected dredged material disposal plan includes the use of 
several existing upland disposal sites and one open water site for 
initial construction. Dredged material (4,244,200 cubic yards) from 
Reach 1 would be placed in the existing upland dredged material 
disposal areas located on the C&D Canal: Biddles Point, Goose Point, 
St. Georges, and Summit East. Dredged material from Reach 2 (1,679,700 
cubic yards) will be placed in the existing Bethel upland disposal 
area. In Reach 3, 2,283,100 cubic yards of dredged material will be 
placed in the existing upland disposal sites Pearce Creek and 
Courthouse Point. In Reach 4, 2,158,600 cubic yards of dredged material 
will be placed in a proposed overboard location immediately east of the 
existing G-West site near Pooles Island in the upper bay, referred to 
as G-East. Dredged material from Reach 5 (4,264,100 cubic yards) and 
Reach 6 (3,329,100 cubic yards) will be placed in the existing Hart-
Miller Island containment area located near Baltimore Harbor.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been prepared for this 
project and has been circulated to the appropriate state and federal 
agencies; local, state, and federal officials; and private 
organizations. The public and all agencies are invited to comment on 
this proposal. Copies of the Draft Feasibility Report and Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement are available for public review at the 
Philadelphia District Office.
    Impacts to water quality have been evaluated in accordance with the 
Section 404(b)(1) guidelines of the Clean Water Act, and are not 
adverse. In accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, Water 
Quality Certification has been requested from the Maryland Department 
of the Environment and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and 
Environmental Control.
    In accordance with Section 307(c) of the Coastal Zone Management 
Act of 1972, an activity affecting land or water uses in a state's 
coastal zone must comply with the state's Coastal Zone Management 
Program. A certification of compliance has been requested from both the 
Maryland Department of the Environment and the Delaware Department of 
Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
    It has been determined that the proposed work would not have a 
significant adverse impact on listed species or their critical habitat, 
pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended. 
Updated consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 
National Marine Fisheries Service would occur prior to project 
implementation to insure compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered 
Species Act.
    Review of the National Register of Historic Places indicates that 
no registered properties, or properties listed as eligible for 
inclusion, would be impacted.
    All practicable means to avoid or minimize adverse environmental 
effects have been incorporated into the recommended plan.
Robert L. Callegari,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 96-14379 Filed 6-6-96; 8:45 am]
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