[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 57 (Friday, March 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16190-16191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7260]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the Calcasieu Lock, LA, Feasibility Study

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Calcasieu Lock is located on the Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway (GIWW) in southwest Louisiana. A feasibility study is being 
conducted to investigate alternatives to reduce navigation delays 
associated with the lock. A draft EIS is being prepared to accompany 
the feasibility report.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the EIS should be 
addressed to Mr. Richard Boe at (504) 862-1505. Mr. Boe may also be 
reached at fax number (504) 862-2572 or by E-mail at 
[email protected]. Mr. Boe's address is U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, PM-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70160-0267.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Authority. The feasibility study is authorized by identical 
resolutions passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives in 
1972 requesting the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors ``to 
review the reports on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Louisiana-Texas 
Section, including the Morgan City-Port Allen Route) * * * with a view 
to determining the advisability of modifying the existing project in 
any way * * *.''
    2. Proposed Action. The proposed action, if determined economically 
feasible and environmentally acceptable, is the construction of a new 
lock to replace the existing Calcasieu Lock.
    3. Alternatives. a. Three potential alignments for a replacement 
lock have been identified. The first alternative is to align a new lock 
immediately north of the existing lock. The second alternative consists 
of a new lock immediately south of the existing lock. The third 
alternative is a new lock in the center of an existing bypass channel 
about one-half mile south of the existing lock.
    b. The first alignment alternative could probably be implemented 
without the replacement of the Highway 384 bridge across the GIWW. The 
other two alignment alternatives would require replacement of the 
Highway 384 bridge. For each of the alignment alternatives, at least 
two lock widths will be evaluated--90 and 110 feet. The length of any 
new lock would be 1,200 feet, to make it compatible with other locks on 
the GIWW. For any of the lock replacement alternatives, the existing 
lock may be decommissioned; may be kept operational on a standby basis; 
or may be used as a water control structure.
    c. In addition to the lock replacement alternatives, a water 
control structure alternative will be evaluated. This alternative would 
consist of a water control structure to relieve the existing lock of 
its water control function. The existing Calcasieu Lock is used to pass 
water from the Mermentau River Basin into the tidal waters of the 
Calcasieu River and Lake after significant rainfall events in the 
Mermentau River Basin. During these times of open flow through the 
lock, navigation traffic is usually stopped and significant delays 
develop. A water control structure would reduce navigation delays 
during such occasions.
    d. A bridge-only alternative will also be investigated. The 
existing Highway 384 bridge is a floating, pontoon bridge. Due to the 
close proximity of the bridge to the lock, vessels entering the lock 
from the east are considered to be in the lock approach zone as they 
approach the bridge. To assure the safety of personnel and property, no 
vessels may be in the lock or entering the lock from the west while a 
vessel is in the east approach zone. This situation causes delays that 
may be remedied by the replacement of the bridge with a mid-level or 
high-level bridge.
    4. Scoping. a. Scoping is the process for determining the scope of 
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the EIS. For 
this study, a scoping letter combined with a notice of study initiation 
will be sent to all parties believed to have an interest in the study. 
The letter will request input on alternatives and issues to be 
evaluated and notify interested parties and the local and regional news 
media of a public scoping meeting that will be held in the local area.
    b. Public Meeting. A public scoping meeting will be held in the 
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Administrative Building located at 1025 
Pithon Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, at 7 pm, April 3, 2001. All 
interested parties are invited to comment at this time, and anyone 
interested in this study should request to be included in the study 
mailing list.
    5. Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues 
to be evaluated in the EIS includes tidal wetlands, aquatic resources, 
wildlife resources, essential fish habitat, water quality, air quality, 
threatened and endangered species, recreation resources, and cultural 
resources. Socioeconomic items to be evaluated in the EIS include 
navigation, flood protection, business and industrial activity, 
employment, land use, property values, public/community facilities and 
services, tax revenues, population, community and regional growth, 
vehicular transportation, housing, community cohesion, and noise.
    6. Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be assisting in the documentation of 
existing conditions and assessment of effects of project alternatives 
through Fish and Wildlife

[[Page 16191]]

Coordination Act consultation procedures. Consultation will also be 
accomplished with the USFWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service 
concerning threatened and endangered species. All other necessary 
environmental compliance will be obtained before a Record of Decision 
on the EIS is signed. Other compliance requirements include a Clean 
Water Act Section 404(b)(1) evaluation, a Louisiana Coastal Resources 
Program Consistency Determination, and a State Water Quality 
Certification. The draft EIS or a notice of its availability will be 
distributed to all interested agencies, organizations, and individuals.
    7. Estimated Date of Availability. The draft EIS is expected to be 
available in mid-2003.

Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-7260 Filed 3-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-U