[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 151 (Friday, August 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47971-47972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19799]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for Improvements to the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Near Corpus 
Christi, Texas as Published in House Document 99, 90th Congress, Second 
Session

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The proposed action to be addressed in the Draft EIS is to 
evaluate several deepening and widening alternatives to improve a deep-
draft navigation channel that connects harbor facilities in the Corpus 
Christi area with the Gulf of Mexico. The study will focus on 
circulation and salinity changes associated with an improved channel

[[Page 47972]]

and develop dredged material disposal options that will include an 
evaluation of beneficial uses of dredged material. The project is being 
maintained at its authorized depth of 45 feet and includes about 34.5 
nautical miles of deep-draft channel. The Corpus Christi area is 
located about 200 miles southwest of Houston, Texas. The local sponsor 
for the project is the Port of Corpus Christi Authority.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and DEIS can be answered by: Mr. Carl Anderson, (409) 766-3914, Project 
Manager, Project Management Branch, or Dr. Terry Roberts, (409) 766-
3035, Environmental Lead, Environmental Branch, Planning, 
Environmental, and Regulatory Division, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, Texas 
77553-1229.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. The study process began in 1990 when Congress directed the 
Secretary of the Army to study the feasibility of modifying the 45-foot 
channel to accommodate larger vessels, increase shipping efficiency, 
and enhance navigation safety. A reconnaissance study evaluated a 
deepening and widening plan to establish a Federal interest in the 
project. The study concluded there was a Federal interest in continuing 
studies in 1994. The feasibility study began in June 1999 and will 
determine the most cost-effective alternative for improving the channel 
while protecting the Nation's environment.
    2. Alternatives: a. The six construction alternatives that will be 
evaluated in the feasibility phase are:
    (1) Widening the existing 400-foot channel across Corpus Christi 
Bay between Ingleside and the Harbor Bridge.
    (2) Add barge lanes across Corpus Christi Bay.
    (3) Extend the La Quinta Channel approximately 8,000 feet.
    (4) Deepen the channel to 52 feet from the Gulf of Mexico to the 
Viola Turning Basin and widen it across Corpus Christi Bay between 
Ingleside and the Harbor Bridge.
    (5) Deepen the channel to 50 feet from the Gulf of Mexico to the 
Viola Turning Basin and widen it across Corpus Christi Bay between 
Ingleside and the Harbor Bridge.
    (6) Deepen the La Quinta Channel to 50 feet.
    b. A ``No Action'' alternative will be evaluated and presented for 
comparison purposes in evaluating the various construction 
alternatives.
    3. Scoping: The scoping process will involve Federal, State, and 
local agencies, and other interested persons and organizations. A 
series of scoping workshops will be conducted to discuss various issues 
associated with the channel improvements and placement of dredged 
material. Separate Scoping Notices will be issued for the various 
workshops. Issues to be considered in this process include beneficial 
uses of dredged material, changes in salinity and circulation, water 
and sediment quality, erosion along the channel, and threatened and 
endangered species impacts. Any person or organization wishing to 
provide information on issues or concerns should contact the Corps of 
Engineers at the above address.
    4. Coordination: Further coordination with environmental agencies 
will be conducted under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 
Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation 
Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Essential Fish Habitat), and the Coastal Zone Management Act (Texas 
Coastal Management Program). A Regulatory Agency Coordination Team has 
been formed to provide guidance and counsel on matters relating to the 
evaluation of environmental impacts of this project. The Team is 
composed of representatives from three Federal and six State regulatory 
agencies, the local sponsor, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
    5. DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be 
available to the public for review and comment in March 2002.

Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-19799 Filed 8-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-GK-P