[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29557-29558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13694]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Tampa Harbor Navigation Project General Reevaluation Report

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
intends to prepare a DEIS for the Tampa Harbor Navigation Project 
General Reevaluation Report. The non-Federal sponsor for the Tampa 
Harbor Navigation Project is the Tampa Port Authority.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William J. Fonferek, (904) 232-2803, 
Environmental Branch, Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, 
Florida 32232-0019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the United States House of Representatives, requested 
the Secretary of the Army to review the report to the Chief of 
Engineers on the Tampa Harbor, Florida, published as House Document 
401, 91st Congress, 2nd Session and other pertinent reports, with a 
view of determining if the authorized project should be modified in any 
way at this time, with particular reference to deep draft navigation.
    The reason for the study is to reconsider safety and economic 
efficiency. Many of the project's channels are one-way and might be 
improved to relieve safety concerns and vessel traffic congestion.
    1. Alternatives: In addition to the no action alternative, we are 
considering creating an anchorage area; a secondary channel loop using 
St. Petersburg Harbor channel; passing lanes; and turning basins at 
channel intersections. In addition, we will be looking at other options 
such as main channel deepening; East Bay Channel deepening; 
constructing previously authorized projects; and the eastward extension 
of Port Sutton.
    2. Issues: The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will consider 
impacts on safety, economic efficiency, hardbottom communities, 
protected species, shore protection, health, water quality, aesthetics 
and recreation, fish and wildlife resources, cultural resources, energy 
conservation, socio-economic resources, and other impacts identified 
through scoping, public involvement, and interagency coordination.
    3. Scoping: A scoping letter was sent to interested parties on 
April 30, 2001. In addition, all parties are invited to participate in 
the scoping process by identifying any additional concerns on issues, 
studies needed, alternatives, procedures, and other matters related to 
the scoping process.
    4. Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected 
Federal, State and local agencies, affected Indian Tribes, and other 
interested private organizations and parties.
    5. Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act, with the FWS under the Fish and Wildlife 
Act, the NMFS under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act for Essential Habitat, and with the State Historic 
Preservation Officer.
    6. Other Environmental Review and Consultation: The proposed action 
may involve an evaluation for compliance with guidelines pursuant to 
Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act; application (to the State of 
Florida) for Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the 
Clean Water Act; certification of state lands, easements, and rights of 
way; and determination of Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.

[[Page 29558]]

    7. DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be 
available to the public on or about May 1, 2002.

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-13694 Filed 5-30-01; 8:45 am]
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