[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 99 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28007-28008]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13418]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Daniel Island Terminal(s) in the City of Charleston, Berkeley 
County, South Carolina

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District intends 
to prepare a DEIS to access the social, economic and environmental 
effects of the proposed construction of the Daniel Island Terminal in 
the City of Charleston, Berkeley County, South Carolina. The DEIS will 
assess potential impacts on a range of alternatives, including the 
preferred alternative.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or 
questions about the proposed action and DEIS, please contact Ms. Tina 
Hadden, Project Manager, telephone (803) 727-4330 or 1-800-208-2054, 
CESAC-CO-P, 334 Meeting Street, Charleston, South Carolina.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Charleston District intends to prepare a 
DEIS on the proposed marine cargo terminal on Daniel Island which is 
located in the City of Charleston, Berkeley County, South Carolina. 
This project is proposed by the South Carolina State Ports Authority 
(SPA).

1. Description of Proposed Project

    The proposed project is the creation by the South Carolina State 
Ports Authority (SCSPA) of a marine cargo terminal complex at Daniel 
Island in the City of Charleston, Berkeley County, South Carolina, 
which includes the following components: approximately 1,300 acres of 
port terminal development at the south end of Daniel Island to include 
cargo marshaling areas, cargo processing areas, cargo-handling 
facilities, intermodal rail facilities, and related terminal operating 
facilities; approximately 7,000 feet of wharf and berthing area on the 
Cooper River and approximately 5,000 feet of wharf and berthing area on 
the Wando River; approximately 35 acres of

[[Page 28008]]

dredged berthing area; associated improvements to the Wando River 
Channel; approximately 2.5 miles of multi-lane roadway construction 
between the proposed terminal site and Interstate I-526; approximately 
11 miles of rail connecting the proposed terminal facilities to the 
East Cooper and Berkeley Railroad; and a rail bridge and road bridge 
over Beresford Creek.

2. Alternatives

    The following alternatives will be examined to identify the 
reasonable alternatives to be fully evaluated in the DEIS: No Action; 
the modification of existing SCSPA terminal facilities to meet the 
purpose and need of and for the proposed project; alternative locations 
within the jurisdictional authority of the SCSPA where the proposed 
facilities might be developed, including locations within and outside 
of Charleston Harbor; alternative facility layouts for the proposed 
terminal facilities; and alternative methods and locations for 
providing surface transportation access to the proposed terminal 
facilities.

3. Scoping and Public Involvement Process

    Scoping Meetings to gather information on the subjects to be 
studied in detail in the DEIS will be conducted. There will be two (2) 
sessions, one specifically for the Federal and State agencies with 
regulatory responsibilities and one for the general public. These 
meeting are as follows:
    Federal and State Agency Scoping Meeting: June 24, 1997, 2:00 pm, 
Charleston Museum Auditorium, 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, South 
Carolina 29403.
    General Public Scoping Meeting: June 24, 1997, 7:00 pm, Charleston 
Museum Auditorium, 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, South Carolina 
29403.
    Additional public and agency involvement will be accomplished 
through the establishment of a Study Resource Committee to assist the 
Corps of Engineers with the development of the DEIS, through the 
conduct of public information meetings, and through a public hearing.

4. Significant Issues

    Issues associated with the proposed facilities to be given 
significant analysis in the DEIS are likely to include, but may not be 
limited to, the potential impacts of the proposed dredging, placement 
of fill, construction and operation of the proposed terminal and 
surface transportation facilities, and of induced developments on: 
wetland resources; upland and aquatic biotic communities; water 
quality; fish and wildlife values including threatened and endangered 
species; noise and light levels in areas adjoining the proposed 
facilities; air quality; land forms and geologic resources; community 
cohesion; environmental justice; roadway traffic; socioeconomic 
environment; archaeological and cultural resources; recreation and 
recreational resources; Sec. 4(f) and 6(f) properties (parks and/or 
sites of cultural significance); public infrastructure and services; 
energy supply and natural resources; hazardous wastes and materials; 
land use; aesthetics; public health and safety; parklands; prime 
farmlands; ecologically critical areas; navigation; flood plain values; 
shoreline erosion and accretion; and the needs and welfare of the 
people.

5. Cooperating Agencies

    Those agencies having permitting, certifying, or other approved 
authorities will be asked to be cooperating agencies and to assist in 
the preparation of this DEIS.

6. Additional Review and Consultation

    Additional review and consultation which will be incorporated into 
the preparation of this DEIS will include: compliance with the South 
Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act; protection of cultural resources 
under Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act; protection of water 
quality under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act; and protection of 
endangered and threatened species under Section 7 of the Endangered 
Species Act.

7. Availability of the DEIS

    The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is projected to be 
available in September 1998. A Public Hearing will be conducted 
following the release of the DEIS.
Thomas F. Julich,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 97-13418 Filed 5-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-CH-M