[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 34747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16938]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5481-1]


Designation of an Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) 
Offshore Port Everglades Harbor, FL and an ODMDS Offshore Palm Beach 
Harbor, FL; Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) on the final designation of an ODMDS offshore Port Everglades 
Harbor, Florida and an ODMDS offshore Palm Beach Harbor, Florida.

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PURPOSE: The U.S. EPA, Region 4, in accordance with Section 102(2)(c) 
of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and in cooperation with 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, will prepare a 
Draft EIS on the designation of an ODMDS offshore Port Everglades 
Harbor, Florida and an ODMDS offshore Palm Beach Harbor, Florida. An 
EIS is needed to provide the information necessary to designate an 
ODMDS. This Notice of Intent is issued Pursuant to Section 102 of the 
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, and 40 CFR 
Part 228 (Criteria for the Management of Disposal Sites for Ocean 
Dumping).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO BE PLACED ON THE PROJECT MAILING LIST 
CONTACT: Mr. Christopher McArthur, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, phone 404-
562-9391 or Mr. Rea Boothby, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville 
District, Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, Florida 
32232-0019, phone 904-232-3453.

SUMMARY: The entrance channel and turning basin of Port Everglades 
Harbor must receive periodic maintenance dredging to ensure safe 
navigation. The dredged material has been disposed of at an interim 
ODMDS for Port Everglades Harbor in the past. Designation of a Port 
Everglades Harbor ODMDS is being evaluated to determine the most 
feasible and environmentally acceptable ocean disposal site for 
anticipated future dredging. The Palm Beach Harbor Federal Project 
navigation channel must receive periodic maintenance dredging to ensure 
safe navigation. The dredged material has been disposed of at an 
interim ODMDS for Palm Beach Harbor in the past. Designation of a Palm 
Beach Harbor ODMDS is being evaluated to determine the most feasible 
and environmentally acceptable ocean disposal site for anticipated 
future dredging.

NEED FOR ACTION: The Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, has 
requested that EPA designate an ODMDS offshore Port Everglades Harbor, 
Florida and an ODMDS offshore Palm Beach Harbor, Florida for the 
disposal of dredged material from the Port Everglades Harbor and Palm 
Beach Harbor areas, respectively, when ocean disposal is the preferred 
disposal alternative. An EIS is required to provide the necessary 
information to evaluate alternatives and designate the preferred 
ODMDSs.

ALTERNATIVES:
    1. No action. The no action alternative is defined as not 
designating an ocean disposal site.
    2. Alternative disposal sites in the nearshore, and shelf break 
regions.

SCOPING: A scoping meeting is not contemplated. Scoping will be 
accomplished by correspondence with affected Federal, State and local 
agencies, and with anticipated interested parties.

ESTIMATED DATE OF RELEASE: The Draft EIS will be made available in 
January 1998.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: John H. Hankinson, Jr., Regional Administrator, 
Region 4.


    Dated: June 24, 1997.
Richard E. Sanderson,
Director, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 97-16938 Filed 6-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U