[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53590-53591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26673]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Morro Bay Estuary Feasibility Study, Morro Bay California

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
will prepare a DEIS to support the Morro Bay Estuary Feasibility Study, 
Morro Bay, California. The Study Area is the Morro Bay Estuary, which 
is located on the central coast of California within the City of Morro 
Bay, California. The Bay is approximately four miles long and one and 
three quarters miles at its maximum width. The central portion of the 
bay encompasses the delta of Chorro and Los Osos Creeks.
    Morro Bay Estuary and associated wetlands provide valuable habitat 
for aquatic wildlife and are an important refuge for migratory birds 
and marine animals. Morro Bay is one of 28 estuaries in the 
Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Program.
    The predominant problem that threatens the Morro Bay Estuary 
ecosystem is excessive sedimentation during periods of stormwater flows 
from Los Osos and Chorro Creeks. This results in significant increases 
in the volume of sediment deposited within the Bay. Deposition results 
in loss of wetlands as large-scale sedimentation promotes swift 
progression from marine to degraded salt marsh habitat. The Feasibility 
Study will focus on addressing the problems and needs caused by 
sediment deposition in the Morro Bay area. The DEIS will analyze the 
potential impacts (beneficial and adverse) on the environment for a 
range of alternatives, including the recommended plan.
    The Los Angeles District, the Morro Bay national Estuary Program, 
and the County of San Luis Obispo will cooperate in conducting this 
Feasibility Study.

ADDRESSES: District Engineer, U.S. Army corps of Engineers, Los Angeles 
District, ATTN: CESPL-PD-RQ (R. Farve), P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, 
California 90053-2325.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rey Farve, Environmental 
Coordinator, telephone (213)-452-3864, or Mr. Tony Risko, Chief, 
Coastal Studies Group, telephone (213)-452-3833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authorization

    This Feasibility Study was authorized by U.S. House Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure Resolution dated 7 May 1997 which 
states, in part: ``Resolved by the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the United States House of Representatives, that the 
Secretary of the Army is requested to review the report of the Chief of 
Engineers on Morro Bay Harbor, San Luis Obispo County, California 
published as House Document 103-33, 103rd Congress, 1st Session, and 
other pertinent reports to determine whether modifications of the 
recommendations contained therein are advisable at the present time in 
the interest of environmental protection and restoration and related 
purposes within the Morro Bay Estuary in Morro Bay, California.''

2. Background

    Morro Bay Estuary is located on the central coast of California 
within the City of Morro Bay, California. The Morro Bay Estuary joined 
the Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Program in July 
1995. The Bay contains the most significant wetland system on 
California's south central coast. It serves a critical environmental 
function on the Pacific coast and serves national and international 
interests, in that the Estuary supports several federally listed 
threatened or endangered species, many species of migratory birds 
protected by international treaties, and provides a protected harbor of 
offshore marine fisheries.
    There are many known and potential threats to this nationally 
significant estuary. Sediment threatened to shorten the life of this 
open water resource by as much as ten-fold. Other water quality 
concerns include excessive levels of bacteria, nutrients, and heavy 
metals. Water diversion, urban and agricultural runoff, and increasing 
impervious surfaces threaten the long-term health of the Bay.
    The predominant problem that threatens the Morro Bay Estuary 
ecosystem is excessive sedimentation during periods of stormwater flows 
from Lost Osos and Chorro Creeks. This results in significant increases 
in the volume of sediment deposited within the Bay. Deposition results 
in loss of wetlands as large-scale sedimentation promotes swift 
progression from marine to degraded salt marsh habitat.
    The non-federal sponsor of the Feasibility Study is the County of 
San Luis Obispo.

3. Alternatives

    The Feasibility Study will focus on addressing the problems and 
needs caused by sediment deposition in the Morro Bay area. In general, 
alternative plans will focus on reducing the uncontrolled sediment 
deposition within the backbay, and associated restoration of the 
ecosystem. Alternative plans will also consider improving tidal 
circulation and tidal flushing. Other measures to restore desired 
environmental conditions and habitat for federal threatened and 
endangered species will be formulated and addressed during coordination 
efforts with the general public and other resource agencies. 
Environmentally sensitive dredging methods will be explored, and 
alternate sites and uses for dredged material will be considered.
    The primary undesirable impacts of concern from any of the 
alternatives will

[[Page 53591]]

likely be related to disposal of dredged material, and construction 
impacts. These will be addressed in the study as part of the plan 
formulation of the Feasibility Study, and potential impacts will be 
analyzed in the DEIS.

4. Scoping Process

    Participation of all interested Federal, State, and County 
agencies, groups with environmental interests, and any interested 
individuals is encouraged. Public involvement will be most beneficial 
and worthwhile in identifying the scope of pertinent, significant 
environmental issues to be addressed; identifying and eliminating from 
detailed study issues that are not significant; offering useful 
information such as published or unpublished data; providing direct 
personal experience or knowledge which informs decision making; and 
recommending suitable mitigation measures to offset potential impacts 
from the proposed action or alternatives.
    A public scoping meeting is scheduled for November 1, 2001 in the 
City of Morro Bay. When available, the specific time and location of 
this meeting will be announced in a mailing to those on the mailing 
list developed for this project, and announced through local media 
channels. The purpose of the scoping meeting will be to gather 
information from the general public or interested organizations about 
issues and concerns that they would like to see addressed in the DEIS. 
Comments may be delivered in writing or verbally at the meeting or sent 
in writing to the Los Angeles District at the address given above. The 
scoping period will conclude 60 days after publication of this NOI.

5. Availability of the DEIS

    The DEIS is expected to be available to the public for review and 
comment beginning in the fall of 2003.

    Dated: October 12, 2001
Richard G. Thompson,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 01-26673 Filed 10-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-KF-M