[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 60096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30124]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers


Dredged Material Management Plan for the Port of New York/New 
Jersey

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The action being taken is the evaluation of the dredged 
material management alternatives for the Port of New York/New Jersey. 
The purpose of the CEIS is to produce a series of alternatives and 
preferred plan(s) for the disposal of dredged material. The 
selection(s) will be based on extensive scientific data including 
information currently being collected.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Robert J. Kurtz, or for the Interim Report Mr. Jeffery Fry at (212) 
264-1275, Corps of Engineers, New York District, 26 Federal Plaza, New 
York, NY 10278-0090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action is the promulgation of a 
draft CEIS that will evaluate the proposed course(s) of action to 
dispose of sediment removed from Federal channels within the Port of 
New York/New Jersey. The authority for this draft CEIS is under 
existing Operations and Maintenance authority of the New York Harbor 
Navigation Project in accordance with EC 1165-2-200 (National Harbor 
Program: Dredged Material Management Plans).

    Alternatives including the no-action alternative, will be 
considered in addition to the following: containment disposal 
facilities (contiguous to land, and as islands in the ocean and the 
Atlantic Bight Apex); sub-aqueous borrow pits (both existing and new), 
upland disposal, beneficial uses (e.g. wetlands creation); and 
management options such as sediment decontamination, and sediment 
reduction.
    The scoping process for the Dredged Material Management Plan for 
the Port of New York/New Jersey has been on-going and has included 
public involvement in the form of meetings, forums, and workshops to 
address the needs and concerns of the public. This process will 
continue through the current phase of planning and will also include 
close coordination for the draft CEIS. A public notice will be issued 
to inform all interested parties of any upcoming meetings.
    Significant issues have been identified and include: contaminated 
sediment concerns and its adverse effects to the marine biota including 
fisheries, the food chain, endangered and threatened species, and 
marine mammals, as well as potential adverse effects on human health, 
such as the relationship of bioaccumulation and food supply, and loss 
of commercial and recreational fishing areas. Concern has also been 
expressed regarding the potential effects on tidal ranges, salinity 
currents, shoreline erosion, flooding, sediment transport, and other 
physical/chemical features of the system, as well as, groundwater, 
wetlands, aesthetic values and cultural resources. Further analysis 
will include adverse affects associated with a failure to act causing 
the Port of New York/New Jersey to be lost as a viable place to import 
and export cargo, and for contaminated sediments that accumulate in 
these areas.
    The United States Army Corps of Engineers is the lead agency and 
has conducted a substantial number of studies performed in conjunction 
with previous EIS' on the management of dredged material for the Port 
of New York/New Jersey, and more are presently being conducted in 
concert with this draft CEIS. These studies include; sediment profile 
imagery, fishery data collection, hydrodynamic modeling, bathymetric, 
and side-scan sonar surveys, core sampling, cultural resources, and 
sediment contaminant investigations. Agencies including the United 
States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the U.S. Geological Service (USGS) are 
cooperating to provide data and input to the draft CEIS.
    The Dredged Material Management Integrated Working Group (DMMIWG) 
which is composed of Federal, New York and New Jersey State agencies, 
the interested public, and environmental groups, have been reviewing 
the studies and alternatives during the formulation process and will 
continue to advise during the draft CEIS promulgation. Section 7 
consultation will be conducted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
and NMFS. Further, both the New York and New Jersey Natural Heritage 
Program offices will be consulted. Additionally, environmental review 
of Cultural Resources will be conducted by the State Historic 
Preservation Offices of New York and New Jersey.
    A more detailed identification and preliminary assessment of 
impacts is contained in the Interim Report of the DMMP. Copies of the 
report are available from the point of contact identified at the 
beginning of this notice.
    The time(s), date(s), and location(s) of scoping sessions are to be 
determined. The draft CEIS is currently estimated to be available for 
public review during July 1998.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-30124 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-06-M