[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 126 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40083-40084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16400]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Announcement of Public Hearing on a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Upper Newport 
Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project, Orange County, California

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

ACTION: Notice (Announcement of Public Hearing Date).

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SUMMARY: The Draft EIS/EIR will be released for public review on or 
about June 30, 2000. The Environmental Protection Agency plans to 
publish a Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR in the Federal 
Register on or about June 30, 2000. The public review of the Draft EIS/
EIR ends on August 14, 2000.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry Smith, Technical Manager, 
phone (213) 452-3846.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    The purpose of the Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project 
is to develop a long-term management plan to control sediment 
deposition in the Upper Bay to preserve the health of Upper Newport 
Bay's habitats. Sediment will continue to deposit in the Bay no matter 
what control measures are implemented in the watershed. Therefore, one 
of the most important components of this project is to develop a plan 
to control sediments by designing one or two in-bay basins in which the 
bulk of the sediment will settle. In addition to developing a plan for 
sediment control, the Upper Newport Bay Restoration project includes 
several other measures to improve habitat quality in the Upper Bay.

2. Proposed Action

    The proposed project would involve deepening and expanding the 
existing sediment basins. Additional ecosystem restoration measures 
would be included to enhance the overall habitat value of Upper Newport 
Bay.

3. Alternatives

    The EIS/EIR evaluates four alternatives carried forward for 
detailed environmental analysis. In general, the major differences 
among alternatives are the basin and channel depths. During the 
Preliminary Engineering Design (PED) phase, modifications to further 
reduce the loss of intertidal mudflat habitat will be investigated.
    No Action: No dredging would occur within the Upper Bay ecological 
reserve.
    Recommended Plan: The recommended plan includes the expansion and 
deepening of the Unit I/III basin and the Unit II basin to -20 feet (-6 
m) MSL, with an approach channel between the two basins dredged to -14 
feet (-4.2 m) MSL; a 100-foot wide approach channel below the Unit II

[[Page 40084]]

basin to PCH Bridge, dredged to -14 feet MSL; the removal of the 
existing 4-acre tern island from the Unit I/III basin and 
reconstruction of the tern island in the Unit II basin adjacent to the 
western segment of the salt dike; and habitat restoration measures that 
include side channels around the small tern island adjacent to the Unit 
I/III basin, New Island, Middle Island and Shellmaker Island; the 
capping of the small tern island with clean sand; the removal of old 
dredge spoil and restoration of the Bullnose area adjacent to the Unit 
I/III basin, Northstar Beach and Shellmaker Island; the creation of a 
small channel on Shellmaker Island adjacent to the eastern edge of the 
restoration area; the segmenting of the main dike to decrease potential 
terrestrial disturbances; the restoration of eelgrass beds along the 
southwestern edge of Shellmaker Island; and, the addition of education 
kiosks along Back Bay Drive and by the interpretive center.
    Dredging Methods: Two dredge types were evaluated: hydraulic and 
clamshell. The contractor will select a dredge type based on 
availability and cost. Impacts associated with the use of the two 
dredge types are evaluated in the EIS/R.
    4. The USACOE and the County of Orange, the local sponsor, will 
consider public concerns on the Draft EIS/EIR. Summary of the Public 
Hearing and written comment letters and responses will be incorporated 
in the Final EIS/EIR as appropriate.

5. Time and Location

    The Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18, 2000, at 7:00 
PM, at the Newport Beach City Hall Council Chambers, 3300 Newport 
Boulevard, Newport Beach, California.

    Dated: June 2, 2000.
John P. Carroll,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 00-16400 Filed 6-28-00; 8:45 am]
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