[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 7, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 41212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19761]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO), Louisiana, Reevaluation 
Study

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) is a deep-draft 
navigation channel built to provide the tidewater dock facilities of 
the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana, with direct access to the Gulf of 
Mexico. Construction of the channel began in 1958 and an interim 
channel was opened in 1963. The channel was completed to authorized 
dimensions of 36 feet deep by 500 feet wide in 1968. The channel is 
currently used by container and bulk cargo ships, as well as other 
deep-draft vessels that utilize the docks along the Inner Harbor 
Navigation Canal and MR-GO in New Orleans. Many shallow-draft vessels 
also use the channel. The Corps of Engineers is evaluating 
modifications to the MR-GO project, with a focus on alternatives that 
would reduce channel dimensions. Improvements and relocations planned 
and currently occurring in the Port of New Orleans may reduce the need 
for the deep draft channel. Some environmental groups and segments of 
the public want the MR-GO closed or reduced in size for environmental 
reasons and to lessen the risk of flooding from hurricane storm surge.

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) 682-2572 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 MR-GO was authorized by the River and Harbor Act 
of 1956 (P.L. 84-455). The USACE has the authority to conduct 
reevaluation studies of authorized projects if a significant period of 
time has elapsed or conditions have changed significantly since a 
feasibility study was completed. Construction authorities imply the 
authority to undertake reevaluation studies.
    2. Proposed Action. The proposed action is to reduce the 
controlling depth of the MR-GO. Economic analyses will be performed to 
determine the current and future needs for the channel by various draft 
vessels, and the costs and benefits of maintaining channels of various 
sizes.
    3. Alternatives. Channel depths of 12, 16, and 20 feet will be 
investigated. The current authorization provides for a 36-foot deep 
channel. Alternatives to be investigated include abandonment of channel 
dredging until a minimal controlling channel dimension is reached, 
whereupon channel maintenance would resume to maintain the new channel 
size. Also, structural features will be investigated to quickly reduce 
the controlling depth of the channel. These structures will be 
evaluated for their effectiveness in producing desirable effects on 
salinity levels and fish and wildlife habitats, especially tidal 
wetlands. The structures will also be evaluated for their effectiveness 
in reducing hurricane storm surge.
    4. Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the scope of 
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the EIS. For 
this study, a letter will be sent to all parties believes to have an 
interest in the study, requesting their input on alternatives and 
issues to be evaluated. The letter will also notify interested parties 
of a public scoping meeting that will be held in the local area. 
Notices will also be sent to local news media. 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.
    A public scoping meeting will be held on August 30, 2001, at 7 pm. 
The meeting will be held in the St. Bernard Parish Council Meeting Room 
of the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex located at 8201 West Judge 
Perez Drive in Chalmette, Louisiana.
    5. Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues 
to be evaluated in the EIS includes tidal wetlands (marshes and 
swamps), 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, properly 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 documenting of 
existing conditions and assessment of effects of project alternatives 
through Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act consultation procedures. The 
USFWS will also provide a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report. 
Consultation will also be accomplished with the USFWS and the National 
Marine Fisheries Service concerning threatened and endangered species. 
The draft EIS or a notice of its availability will be distributed to 
all interested agencies, organizations, and individuals.
    7. Estimated Date of Availability. Funding levels will dictate the 
date when the draft EIS is available. The earliest that the draft EIS 
may be expected to be available is mid-2002.

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-19761 Filed 8-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-M