[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3666-3667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1717]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability for the Draft Baltimore Harbor and 
Anchorages, Maryland and Virginia Feasibility Study and Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS)--Project Location is Baltimore City, Baltimore 
County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, has 
prepared a Draft Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement 
for maritime improvements for Baltimore Harbor and Anchorages, Maryland 
and Virginia. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the District is 
conducting public coordination and distributing the documents for 
public review and comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the proposed actions, Feasibility Study, and EIS can be 
addressed to Study Manager, Baltimore Harbor Anchorages and Channels, 
Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENAB-PL-P, 
P.O. 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, telephone (410) 962-6139. E-
mail:

[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Port of Baltimore is located on a 32 
square mile area of the Patapsco River and its tributaries, 
approximately 12 miles northwest of the Chesapeake Bay. From its 
central location on the Chesapeake Bay nearly 150 miles inland from the 
Atlantic Ocean, Baltimore can easily provide service to America's 
Midwestern markets as well as other ports along the Atlantic coast. 
Since 1980, over one-half billion dollars have been spent on maritime 
improvements in the Port of Baltimore in efforts to meet the needs of 
the diverse commercial shipping market.

    1. Continuing with the Port of Baltimore's commitment to ongoing 
maritime improvement this study recommends: widening the West Dundalk 
and Seagirt-Connecting Channels to 500 feet; widening the East Dundalk 
Channel to 400 feet; establishing a channel 36 feet deep and 400 feet 
wide in the area of the old Produce Wharf Channel at South Locust 
Point; deepening a portion of Anchorage #3 to 42 feet deep and 2,200 
feet wide by 2,200 feet long; deepening of Anchorage #4 to 42 feet deep 
and 1,800 feet wide by 1,800 feet long; constructing a turning basin at 
the head of the Fort McHenry Channel, 1,200 feet wide by 1,200 feet 
long, and 50 feet deep; Federal assumption of maintenance of the 
existing Seagirt Marine Terminal, Dundalk Marine Terminal and South 
Locust Point Marine Terminal channels, exclusive of berthing areas, and 
Federal maintenance of a 42-foot depth in the area between the 
Connecting Channel and the proposed Seagirt Marine Terminal Berth 4 
upon completion of dredging to that depth by the State of Maryland; and 
deauthorization of Anchorage #1. The proposed improvements are expected 
to require the placement of approximately 4.4 million cubic yards of 
dredged material at the Hart-Miller Island placement site.
    2. The decision to implement this action is being based on an 
evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activities on the 
public interest. The decision will reflect the national concern for 
both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits 
which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposed project 
are being balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All 
factors which may be relevant to the proposal, including the cumulative 
effects thereof, are being considered; among these factors are 
economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, 
cultural values, flood hazards, fish and wildlife values, flood plain 
values, land use, recreation, water supply and conservation, water 
quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, and the 
general needs and welfare of the people.
    3. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describes the 
impacts of the proposed projects on environmental and cultural 
resources in the study area. The EIS also applies guidelines issued by 
the Environmental Protection Agency, under authority of the Clean Water 
Act of 1977 (Pub. L. 95-217). An evaluation of the proposed actions on 
the waters of the United States was performed pursuant to the 
guidelines of the Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
under authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The proposed 
dredging, construction, and placement of dredged material is in 
compliance with Section 404(b)(1) guidelines.
    4. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the 
Clean Water Act, the Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the 
public, Federal, state and local agencies and officials, and other 
interested parties. Any comments received will be considered by the 
Corps of Engineers in the decision to implement the project. To make 
this decision, comments are considered to assess impacts on endangered 
species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental 
effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments 
regarding the proposed project will be incorporated into the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement as required by NEPA. Public comments 
will also be used to determine the overall public interest. Notice of a 
public meeting will be published at a later date. Informal meetings 
have been held in order to present information to citizen interest 
groups, officials, and regional planners. The public review and comment 
period for the draft feasibility study and draft EIS will begin on 24 
January 1997 and close on 9 March 1997. Comments received will be 
incorporated into the final EIS.
    5. This Notice of Availability is being sent to organizations and 
individuals known to have an interest in the proposed maritime 
improvements. Please bring this notice to the attention of any other 
individuals with an interest in this matter. Copies of the Draft EIS 
are available for review at the following locations:
      Baltimore County Public Library, North Point Branch, 1716 
Merritt Boulevard, Baltimore MD.
      Anne Arundel County Public Library, North County Branch, 
1010 Eastway Dr. Glen Burnie MD.
      Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore, 
MD.
    6. Requests for copies of the EIS may be mailed to the following 
address: District Engineer, Attn: CENAB-PL, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Baltimore

[[Page 3667]]

District, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-1717 Filed 1-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-41-M