[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 201 (Monday, October 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55849-55850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27930]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for the Upper Newport Bay 
Environmental Restoration Feasibility Study; City of Newport, Orange 
County, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Newport Bay is located on the southern California coast 
approximately 40 miles south of Los Angeles and 75 miles north of San 
Diego. The Pacific Coast Highway divides the Bay into two distinct 
bodies of water referred to as the ``Upper'' and ``Lower'' sections. 
Excessive sedimentation in the 752-acre Upper Newport Bay Ecological 
Reserve, and shoaling in navigation channels have resulted in habitat 
changes, disruption of boat traffic, and an overall decrease in water 
circulation in the Bay. Sediments and nutrients transported from the 
Newport Bay/San Diego Creek watershed to the bay will continue to 
degrade water quality and habitat quality within the bay. These 
conditions have caused a concern among local interest groups and 
resource agencies regarding the potential adverse impacts on the biota 
in the Bay ecosystem. The Corps is preparing a feasibility study to 
determine the Federal interest in restoring and enhancing the marine 
biological productivity of the Upper Bay and a long-term management 
plan to permit continued maintenance efforts in the Bay. The goal of 
the feasibility study is to preserve optimized structure, function, 
integrity and viability of the ecosystem.

ADDRESSES: Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles 
District, Environmental Planning Section, P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, 
CA 90053-2325.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Russell L. Kaiser, Environmental Manager, phone (213) 452-3846.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authorization

    This study was authorized by Section 841 of the Water Resources 
Development Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99-662.

2. Background

    The Corps along with several other Federal, state and local 
agencies and interested parties representing different

[[Page 55850]]

environmental groups in the Orange County area have been meeting 
regularly over the last several years to discuss and develop a long 
term strategy for restoration, enhancement, conservation and 
preservation efforts for Newport Bay. This consortium of agencies and 
interested parties are formulating the preliminary concepts for 
restoration efforts. The Corps has held several public scoping meetings 
in association with this project. Discussion items have focused on the 
loss of native habitat and wildlife communities, the propagation of 
exotic vegetation and domestic predation, the loss of habitat 
supporting native sensitive species, the overall decrease in water 
quality, the increase in sediment build-up, the effects of development 
in the watershed and point/nonpoint discharges entering the bay.

3. Proposed Action

    Preparation of a DEIS/EIR.

4. Alternatives

    No-Action allows for continued sediment deposition in Upper and 
Lower Newport Bay, significantly reducing open-water areas, degrading 
existing marsh habitat, reducing tidal circulation, and shoaling 
navigation channels. A full array of alternatives will be developed to 
achieve both environmental restoration and sediment control. To refine 
alternatives and determine which are viable, project criteria will be 
developed to assess feasibility. A co-equal analysis will be conducted 
for the no action and each viable project alternative in the DEIS/EIR 
pursuant with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 
4321, as amended. Project area maps will be available upon request.

5. Scoping Process

    The Corps will evaluate potential impacts associated with the no-
action and alternative plans. A public scoping meeting will be held to 
address baseline conditions, solicit public participation on 
significant environmental issues, and participation in the formulation 
of alternative measures. All interested parties and agencies are 
welcome to attend and encouraged to participate in the meeting. The 
Corps will briefly present the study to the public, review the 
environmental process and issues identified thus far, and outline the 
overall schedule for study completion, then request public input. 
Individuals and agencies may offer information or data relevant to the 
proposed study and/or request to be placed on the mailing list for 
future announcements. The DEIS/EIR is expected to be available for 
review and comment in July 1999.
    Several years ago, the California Department of Fish and Game 
(CDFG) prepared a draft Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve (UNBER) 
management plan. The CDFG is revising the draft plan and will solicit 
public input at this meeting.

6. Location and Time

    The public scoping meeting is scheduled for October 21, 1998 at 
7:00 p.m., at the Newport Beach City Council Chambers, 3300 Newport 
Blvd., Newport Beach, California.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-27930 Filed 10-16-98; 8:45 am]
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