[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 170 (Thursday, August 31, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53071-53072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22317]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

[CGD08-00-023]


Proposed Monkey Island Bridge Project; Calcasieu Pass at Cameron, 
Cameron Parish, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing; request for comments

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[[Page 53072]]

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard jointly with the State of Louisiana, Louisiana 
Department of Transportation and Development (LDOTD) will hold a public 
hearing to receive comments on an application by LDOTD for Coast Guard 
approval of location and plans for a proposed bridge. The proposed 
location of the bridge is across Calcasieu Pass, mile 2.2, on SR 1141 
between Cameron and Monkey Island, Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The 
hearing will allow interested persons to present comments and 
information concerning the impact of the proposed bridge project on 
navigation and the human environment.

DATES: This hearing will be held on September 28, 2000, commencing at 6 
p.m. Comments must be received by October 13, 2000. Requests to speak 
and requests for services must be received by September 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at the Cameron Court House, 119 
Smith Circle, Cameron, Louisiana 70631. Written comments may be 
submitted to, and will be available for examination between 6:30 a.m. 
and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays at the 
office of the Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Administration 
Branch, Commander (ob), 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70130-3396. Please submit all comments in an unbound format, no larger 
than 8  x  11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. 
Persons wanting acknowledgement of receipt of comments should enclose a 
stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    Requests to speak at the hearing may be submitted to Mr. David 
Frank at the phone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Frank, Project Officer, 
Bridge Administration Branch, telephone (504) 589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The proposed project is to construct a new bridge to replace the 
existing ferry crossing from Cameron to Monkey Island. The bridge will 
be constructed on the same alignment as the ferry crossing. The 
proposed bridge will be a two-lane fixed bridge, approximately 30 feet 
(9.14 m) wide and 990 feet (301.75 m) long. The bridge would be 
constructed so as to allow for 14 feet (4.27 m) of vertical clearance 
above mean high water, elevation 1.5 feet (0.46 m) and a horizontal 
clearance of 80 feet (24.38 m). The bridge will be skewed to the 
channel at an angle of 60 deg.. The distance between the piers is 110 
feet (33.53 m), but the horizontal clearance perpendicular to the 
channel will be 80 feet. The center span of the bridge will be 
constructed as a removable steel girder span that can be removed in 
case of emergencies.
    The proposed bridge will replace the existing costly ferry 
operation and provide a safer, more efficient transportation facility 
for motorists traveling between Cameron and Monkey Island. LDOTD's 
objective in providing roads and bridges on the state maintained 
highway system is to assure an unrestricted and safe flow of commerce 
via that system. Although the ferry is operating on a 24-hour schedule 
year-round, motorists are delayed by the ferry schedule. Replacing the 
ferry with a bridge will eliminate delays due to the ferry and severe 
weather conditions. This is important in evacuating residents on the 
island during storms or hurricanes.
    Consideration of approval of the location and plans for the 
proposed vehicular bridge is the action precipitating the Coast Guard's 
involvement in this project. The Coast Guard, as lead Federal agency 
for the proposed project, has reviewed the applicant-prepared 
Environmental Assessment (EA). Based upon the EA, the Coast Guard has 
tentatively determined that the proposed action will not have a 
significant impact on the environment for purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A Coast Guard Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) will be prepared as the final environmental 
document for the proposed project unless significant impacts are 
identified as a result of this public notification process to warrant 
the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
    Only two alternatives are currently being considered for this 
project. These alternatives are defined as the `build' and `no-build' 
alternatives.
    Potential impacts addressed in the EA include economic, social and 
community, construction, wetland, fish and wildlife, navigation, water 
quality, floodplain, noise, air and cultural resources, hazardous 
waste, and secondary and cumulative impacts. Information concerning 
availability of the EA may be obtained from Mr. David Frank at the 
phone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Procedural

    Individuals and representatives of organizations that wish to 
present testimony at the Hearing or who want to be placed on the 
project mailing list, may submit a request to Mr. David Frank at the 
telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Requests 
to speak should be received no later than September 21, 2000 in order 
to ensure proper schedule of the hearing. Attendees at the hearing who 
wish to present testimony and have not previously made a request to do 
so, will follow those on the previously established list. Depending 
upon the number of scheduled statements, the Coast Guard may limit the 
amount of time required. Written statements and other exhibits in lieu 
of or in addition to oral statements at the Hearing may be submitted to 
Mr. David Frank at the address listed under ADDRESSES until September 
21, 2000, in order to be included in the Public Hearing transcript.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information about facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact 
the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District (obc). Please request these 
services from Mr. David Frank, at the phone number under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT or in writing at the address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Any requests for an oral or sign language interpreter must 
be received by September 21, 2000.

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 513, 49 CFR 1.46.

    Dated: August 23, 2000.
Paul J. Pluta,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 00-22317 Filed 8-30-00; 8:45 am]
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