[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40336-40337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19759]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Reformation Study, Atlantic Coast of Long Island, From Fire Island 
Inlet to Montauk Point, New York

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
plans to begin preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) for proposed measures for storm damage protection for the 
Atlantic Coast of Long Island, from Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point, 
New York (study area). This project is necessary due to continual 
erosion leading to a decrease in the width of beach and a loss of beach 
material during severe storms and hurricanes. Due to the erosion and 
the lack of sufficiently high beaches, berms or dune systems, 
residential and commercial developments have become increasingly 
susceptible to storm damage from flooding and wave attack.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Attn: Stephen A. Couch, Study Manager, (212) 264-9077
Attn: Peter M. Weppler, EIS Coordinator, (212) 264-4663, Planning 
Division, Corps of Engineers, New York District, 26 Federal Plaza, New 
York, New York 10278-0090

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The overall Fire Island Inlet to Montauk 
Point, New York, Combined Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane 
Protection Project was authorized by the River and Harbor Act of 1960 
in accordance with the recommendations of the Chief of Engineers in 
House Document No. 425, 86th Congress dated June 21, 1960. The original 
authorized project provided for beach erosion control and hurricane 
protection along five reaches by means of widening the beaches along 
the developed areas, raising the dunes by artificial placement of 
suitable sand, grass planting on the dunes, and construction of 
interior drainage structures at Mecox Bay, Sagaponack Lake, and 
Georgica Pond. The project authorized construction of 50 groins subject 
to determination of their actual need. The authorization was 
subsequently modified by Section 103 of the River and Harbor Act of 
October 12, 1962, Section 31 of the Water Resources Development Act of 
1974, Section 502 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, and 
Section 102 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992. These 
modifications were made primarily to adjust the cost sharing provisions 
of the authorized project.

1. Location and Description of Proposed Action

    The project area is located entirely in Suffolk County, Long 
Island, New York, along the Atlantic and bay shores of the towns of 
Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Southamption and Easthampton. The study 
area is approximately 83 miles long. The study area includes three 
large estuarial bays. Great South Bay is connected to the Atlantic 
Ocean through Fire Island Inlet, which is a federal navigation channel. 
Similarly, Moriches Bay and Shinnecock Bay are connected to the ocean 
through Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets, respectively, which are also 
federal navigation channels. Great South Bay, Moriches Bay and 
Shinnecock Bay are connected by narrow channels behind the barrier. The 
westernmost portion of the study area, Fire Island Inlet, is located 
approximately 52 miles by water east of

[[Page 40337]]

the Battery, New York. The project area includes the ocean and bay 
shorelines, Fire Island, Moriches and Shinnecock Inlets, barrier 
beaches, the mainland, as well as suitable offshore borrow areas for 
that will supply material for beach construction and replenishment.

2. Reasonable Alternative Actions

    The ongoing reformulation study will further consider beach fill 
alternatives, and others, including, but not limited to, ``hard 
structures'' such as groin fields, seawalls, revetments, and 
breakwaters to identify an economically optimal plan.

3. Scoping Process

A. Public Involvement

    A separate scoping correspondence detailing the proposed plan will 
be distributed to all appropriate public and private agencies and 
organizations with the intent of receiving opinions all from interested 
parties. Public information meetings will be scheduled throughout the 
EIS phase. Additions to this mailing list can be made by notifying the 
project EIS coordinator.

B. Significant Issues Requiring In-Depth Analysis

    1. Water Quality Impacts 2. Archaeological and Cultural Resources 
Impacts 3. Aquatic and Terrestrial Resources Impacts 4. Shorebird 
Populations 5. Recreational Impacts 6. Economic Impacts 7. Longshore 
Sand Transport.

C. Environmental Review and Consultation

    Review will be conducted as outlined in the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations dated November 29, 1983 (40 CFR parts 
1500-108) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer regulation ER 200-2-2 dated 
March 4, 1988.

4. Scoping Meetings

    To date, there have been two interagency scoping meetings: a. an 
Interagency Scoping meeting sponsored by the New York District, held on 
November 7, 1996, and b. a Municipal Information meeting sponsored by 
the local sponsor, the New York Department of Environmental 
Conservation. The first scheduled public information meetings have been 
scheduled for July 30, 1997, at Dowling College, Oakdale, New York and 
August 14, 1997 at Southampton, Hampton Bays Community Center, New 
York. The purpose of the information meetings is to enable the public 
to: learn about the potential alternatives, suggest other alternatives, 
and provide input to the study and technical managers regarding 
potential data gaps. A series of meetings will follow and are to be 
scheduled at a later date and advertised in local newspapers.

5. Estimated Date of DEIS Availability

    May 2001.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-19759 Filed 7-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-06-M