[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63033-63034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30084]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army


Intend To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (DSEIS) for Proposed Improvements to the Cheasapeake & 
Delaware Canal and Connecting Channels, Delaware and Maryland

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The action being taken is an evaluation of the outstanding 
issues of concern raised by State and Federal agencies and local 
interest groups during the Feasibility Study for the Cheaspeake and 
Delaware Canal-Baltimore Harbor Connecting Channels (Deepening), 
Delaware and Maryland.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions regarding the DSEIS should be addressed to Ms. Barbara 
Conlin, (215) 656-6557, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CENAP-PL-E, 
Wanamaker

[[Page 63034]]

Building, 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3390.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Proposed Action

    a. The proposed document will address outstanding economic issues 
including the appropriate channel depth. Potential environmental 
impacts will be further evaluated, including possible impacts to 
groundwater quality from the disposal of dredged material, loss of 
groundwater into the canal/river, bank erosion, impacts to aquatic 
resources and water quality impacts in the Chesapeake Bay.
    b. The authority for the proposed project is the resolution adopted 
by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and 
Transportation September 8, 1988.
    c. The resolution authorized the review of existing reports of the 
Chief of Engineers for the Inland Waterway-Delaware River to Chesapeake 
Bay, Delaware and Maryland, and the report on the Baltimore Harbor and 
Channels, Maryland, with a view to determine the feasibility of 
measures to promote and encourage the efficient, economic, and logical 
development of the channel system serving the Port of Baltimore.

2. Alternatives

    In response to the study resolution a reconnaissance report was 
completed in February 1990 at 100% Federal expense. The results 
indicated there was Federal interest in further feasibility phase 
studies of improvements to the canal and the connecting channels. The 
feasibility phase of study was cost-shared 50%-50% between the Maryland 
Port Administration (MPA) and the Federal government and was completed 
in December 1996 with the issuance of the Chief of Engineers' report. 
The Chief of Engineers' report concluded that the plan developed by the 
reporting officers was engineeringly sound. The review also found that 
the Reedy Point entrance flare, bend widening at Sandy Point, and the 
establishment of an emergency anchorage at Howell Point were 
economically justified. However, questions remain regarding the 
appropriate channel depth which are to be addressed during this phase 
of study (Planning, Engineering and Design).

3. Scoping

    a. The Planning, Engineering and Design (PED) phase was initiated 8 
April 1997 with the execution of a cost sharing agreement between the 
Federal government and the MPA. As part of the PED phase a working 
group has been established to help disseminate information to the 
interested public, review the information, make suggestions on the 
study process, and assure that all the issues are addressed. Also, as 
part of the PED phase, several repositories have been established at 
local libraries, Corps offices, and the MPA offices. The repositories 
contain pertinent reports from the feasibility study as well as 
information developed during the on-going PED phase.
    b. The scoping process is on-going and has involved coordination 
with Federal, State, and local agencies and interest groups. The public 
and all agencies are invited to comment on this proposal. Any pertinent 
information that Federal, State or local agencies or the private sector 
can provide will be used to the greatest extent possible. We welcome 
any assistance and suggestions pertaining to the conduct of this study. 
All comments should be directed to the above address, Attn: CENAP-PL-E.

4. Availability

    It is estimated that the DSEIS will be made available to the public 
in Spring 2000.
Leonard J. Lipski,
Assistant Chief of Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 98-30084 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M