[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 34697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16799]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for a Proposed Deepening of the Savannah Harbor Navigation Project, 
Chatham County, GA and Jasper County, SC

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: A feasibility study is underway which considers alternatives 
of a 2, 4, 6, or 8 foot deepening of the navigation channel from 
approximately Station 103+000 through the bar to the end of the project 
in deep water in the ocean. Any modification of these alternatives will 
be addressed, as appropriated, during preparation of the Environmental 
Impact Statement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding this proposal may 
be directed to Ms. Susan Durden, (912) 652-5805.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    1. Current Project Description: The Savannah Harbor Navigation 
Project is located at the mouth of the Savannah River approximately 75 
miles south of Charleston, South Carolina, and 120 miles north of 
Jacksonville, Florida. The project includes the lower 21.3 miles of the 
Savannah River and an additional 11.4 miles of channel from the mouth 
of the Savannah River across the bar to the Atlantic Ocean. Current 
authorized depths for the inner harbor channel beginning at the upper 
end of the harbor and proceeding to the entrance and through the 
jetties are 30, 36, and 42 feet (with an additional 2 feet of overdepth 
and 2-4 feet of advanced maintenance), depending on the range, and for 
the bar channel beyond the jetties the authorized depth is 44 feet 
(with an additional 2 feet of overdepth and 2 feet of advanced 
maintenance). Annual maintenance of the project requires dredging and 
disposal of approximately 7 million cubic yards of material.
    2. Proposed Action: The alternatives being considered are a 2, 4, 
6, or 8 foot deepening of the navigation channel from approximately 
Station 103+000 through the bar to the end of the project in deep water 
in the ocean. Overdepth and advanced maintenance requirements in the 
navigation channel will be analyzed as part of the feasibility study. 
Any proposed modification of this proposed plan will be addressed, as 
appropriate, during preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement.
    3. Alternatives: The proposed study includes the following 
alternatives:
    a. No action/Maintenance of status quo.
    b. Improvement of existing navigation facilities, with alternatives 
addressed in 2-foot increments to a maximum of 8 feet.
    4. Study Description: This study will include a analysis of 
potential impacts on endangered species, fisheries, birds, marine 
mammals, water quality, historic properties, etc., resulting from the 
various alternatives. This study is being conducted by the Georgia 
Ports Authority (GPA) under the authority of Section 203 of the Water 
Resources Development Act of 1986. Under that authority, a non-Federal 
interest may prepare a feasibility study and draft environmental 
assessment of a proposed harbor improvement, and submit those documents 
to the Secretary of the Army. The Savannah District envisions 
participating in the adoption of the draft EIS. The Secretary would 
then transmit to Congress an assessment of whether those documents and 
the study process comply with Federal laws and regulations, and provide 
any recommendations concerning the proposed project. If the proposed 
project received Congressional authorization, it would become a Federal 
Navigation Project.
    5. Scoping Process: Federal, State, and local officials, 
conservation groups; and interested businesses, groups, and individuals 
are invited to comment on the proposed project. Comments received as a 
result of this notice will be used to assist in identifying potential 
impacts to the quality of the environment. A public scoping meeting is 
scheduled for July 9, 1997, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at the Coastal 
Georgia Center for Continuing Education, 305 Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Boulevard, Savannah, Georgia.
    6. Address for Comments: Written comments may be forwarded to: 
District Engineer (Attention: Ms. Susan Durden, PD-P), P.O. Box 889, 
Savannah, Georgia 31402-0889. Comments should be received within 30 
days of the publication of this notice in the Federal Register to 
ensure timely consideration.

    7. Availability of the DEIS: The Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement is expected to be made available to the public in April 1998.

Gregory D. Showalter,

Army Federal Register, Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-16799 Filed 6-26-97; 8:45 am]
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