[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63134-63135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31039]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers


Atlantic Coast of Long Island, From Fire Island Inlet to Montauk 
Point, New York (Reach 1--Fire Island Inlet to Moriches Inlet Interim 
Plan for Storm Damage Protection)

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is 
beginning preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for proposed measures for interim storm damage protection for Reach 1--
Fire Island Inlet to Moriches Inlet (study area) of the Atlantic Coast 
of Long Island, from Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point, New York. A 
Notice of Intent for the preparation of a DEIS for the Atlantic Coast 
of Long Island, from Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point, New York 
Reformulation Study, a long-term solution for the entire 83 mile study 
area, has also been published in the Federal Register dated July 28, 
1997 (Volume 62, Number 144). For this Notice of Intent, the Corps is 
considering interim protection measures to address critical areas due 
to recent storm activity which has resulted in continual erosion 
leading to a decrease in the width of beach and a loss of beach 
material. Due to the continued erosion and a 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 and may need to be addressed prior to completion of the 
Reformulation Study. The EIS will be prepared according to the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers procedures for implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4332(2) 
(C), and consistent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' policy to 
facilitate public understanding and scrutiny of agency proposals. This 
notice of intent is published as required by the President's Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations implementing the provisions of NEPA, 
40 CFR Parts 1500-1508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen A. Couch, Study Manager, 
(212) 264-9077; Mr. 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 of Proposed Action

    The project area is located entirely in Suffolk County, Long 
Island, New York, along the Atlantic and bay shore of the towns of 
Babylon, Islip, and Brookhaven. The study area is approximately 30 
miles long. The study area includes Great South Bay which is connected 
to the Atlantic Ocean through Fire Island Inlet, a federal navigation 
channel. Great South Bay is connected to Moriches Bay by a narrow 
channel behind the barrier island. The westernmost portion of the study 
area, Fire Island Inlet, is located approximately 52 miles by water 
east of the Battery, New York. The project area includes the Atlantic 
Ocean and Great South Bay, Fire Island proper, Moriches Inlet, barrier 
beaches, the mainland of Long Island fronted by Fire Island Proper, as 
well as suitable offshore borrow areas that will supply material for 
beach construction and replenishment.

[[Page 63135]]

2. Description of Proposed Action

    The basic design of the interim plan consists of beachfill with a 
minimum berm width of 90 feet (ft) at elevation +9.5 ft NGVD, and a 
minimum 25 ft wide dune at elevation +15 ft NGVD. Proposed dune slopes 
are 1V:5H to Mean Low Water (MLW), and 1V:30H below MLW.
    Variations of this basic design plan occur between Kismet and Point 
O'Woods and at Old Inlet in the Federal Wilderness Area. The dune and 
berm elevations from Kismet to Point O'Woods were increased to 18 ft 
NGVD and 11.5 ft NGVD, respectively to provide a 44 year level of 
protection. This modification is necessitated by the low elevations 
north of the dune in these areas.
    Due to the environmental sensitivity of the Wilderness Area, and 
concerns raised by the Department of the Interior, fill in Old Inlet 
has been deferred. The District instead recommends use of a feeder 
beach and stockpile at Smith Point County Park. The deferred 
construction could be analyzed and implemented in the future, to 
minimize the negative environmental impacts associated with repeated 
breach closure efforts.

3. Reasonable Alternative Actions

    In addition to the ``No Action'' alternative, the interim storm 
damage protection study will consider variations of the beach fill 
alternative to identify a short term solution to the severe erosion 
that has occurred within the study area and which continues to threaten 
the mainland communities with increased exposure to storm damages.

4. Scoping Process

a. Public Involvement

    Additional scoping correspondence detailing the proposed plan will 
be distributed to all interested public and private agencies and 
organizations with the intent of receiving opinions all from interested 
parties.

b. Scoping Meetings

    The scoping meetings are intended to assist in defining the focus 
of the EIS issues. A public notice issued at a later date will provide 
the dates, times and places of the scoping meetings. Further, the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers will provide ample opportunity for public 
participation in defining the issues to be addressed in the EIS and in 
reviewing and commenting on the draft EIS. Additions to this mailing 
list can be made by notifying the project EIS coordinator.

c. Significant Issues Requiring In-Depth Analysis

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

d. Environmental Review and Consultation

    Review will be conducted as outlined in the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations dated November 29, 1983 (40 CFR parts 
1500-1508) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer regulation ER 200-2-2 dated 
March 4, 1988.

e. Federal Agency Participation in the EIS Process

    Federal agencies with an interest in this EIS effort are requested 
to participate as cooperating agencies pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1501.6. 
All interested federal agencies are requested to submit a letter of 
intent to Colonel Gary Thomas, District Engineer at the above address.

5. Estimated Date of DEIS Availability

    June 1998.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-31039 Filed 11-25-97; 8:45 am]
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