[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 11418-11419] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-6155] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Limited Reevaluation Study for the Deeping of the Arthur Kill/Howland Hook Navigation Channel AGENCY: Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In response to a House of Representatives, Committee on Public Works and Transportation Resolution dated May 9, 1979 to alleviate current and future navigation restrictions associated with the Arthur Kill/Howland Hook navigation channel, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, prepared a feasibility report and a final environmental impact statement in October 1995 that recommended a six foot deepening (from -35 to -41 feet) for a distance of approximately 2.1 miles and a five foot deepening (-35 to -40 feet) along another 1.0 mile section of the channel The New York District suspended work on the project in 1991. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) however was completed. The New York District has now initiated a Limited Re-evaluation study to reaffirm the recommended plan. Upon re-evaluation of the status of a FEIS which was filed on July 11, 1986, the New York District has determined that it is appropriate to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement. This notice of intent supersedes the earlier notice to prepare a new environmental impact statement published in the Federal Register on September 30, 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information regarding this notice, please contact Mr. Mark Burlas, ATTN: CENAN-PL-EA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278-0090, or phone (212) 264-4663. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Arthur Kill navigation channel is a component of the New York Harbor Estuarine System connecting Raritan Bay and Newark Bay. The channel is situated between New Jersey and Staten Island, New York. The Arthur Kill/Howland Hook navigation channel's northern limit is the confluence of the Kill van Kull and Newark Bay channels. The project area extends south for approximately 3.1 miles. Currently, navigation in the project area is severely constrained. The existing depth of the Arthur Kill/Howland Hook channel section is not sufficient to allow the safe and efficient passage of fully loaded container and liquid bulk (tankers) vessels calling on terminals in the channel. The current mode of operation calls for tankers to lighter-off in anchorages and enter the Arthur Kill/Howland Hook section of channel during high tides. Containerships calling on terminals must be loaded to less than their design [[Page 11419]] capacities at their home ports and sail without a full load. Gregory D. Showalter, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 97-6155 Filed 3-11-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-06-M