[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 245 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65681-65682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31358]


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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 Diversion Near Benny's Bay, Ecosystem 
Restoration Analysis, Mississippi River Delta, LA

AGENCY: Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Estimates show that approximately 30 square miles of coastal 
wetlands convert to open water in Louisiana each year. The causes of 
the wetland loss are varied and complex, depending upon wetland 
location and type. Wetland loss has been attributed to the loss of 
freshwater, nutrient, and sediment input from the Mississippi River due 
the construction of flood protection levees, salt water intrusion, oil 
and gas access canals, navigation channels, subsidence, and sea level 
rise. The loss of wetlands has serious negative impacts to fish and 
wildlife populations, hurricane protection, and the economy of 
Louisiana and the nation. Many believe that reestablishment of 
freshwater, nutrient, and sediment flows from the Mississippi River 
into degraded wetlands would restore and sustain coastal wetland 
ecosystem structure and function that have been lost.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the EIS should be 
addressed to Mr. Michael Salyer at (504) 862-2037. Mr. Salyer may also 
be reached at fax number (504) 862-2572 or by e-mail at 
michael.r.salyer@ mvn02.usace.army.mil. Mr. Salyer'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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans 
District, at the direction of the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands 
Conservation and Restoration Task Force, is initiating this study under 
the authority of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and 
Restoration Act, Pub. L. 101-646. This act includes funds for the 
planning of measures for the creation, restoration, protection and 
enhancement of coastal wetlands.
    2. Proposed Action. The proposed action would restore, enhance, and 
sustain the coastal wetlands ecosystem east of the Mississippi River in 
Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana. This ecosystem is located in Region 
2, Mississippi River Delta, Plaquemines Parish. The diversion inlet 
would be located on the east bank of the Mississippi River at Mile 7.5 
above Head of Passes. This action would likely utilize the nutrients, 
freshwater, and sediment of the Mississippi River for this restoration. 
This proposed action is intended to reestablish ecosystem functions. 
This proposed action would restore the wetland acreage and biodiversity 
of the Mississippi River Delta. Environmental analysis would be used to 
determine the most practical plan, which would provide for the greatest 
overall public benefit. The recommended plan would restore degraded 
wetlands with the least adverse impacts to stakeholder interests.
    3. Alternatives. Alternatives recommended for consideration 
presently include the construction of a river diversion structure in 
the vicinity of Benny's Bay, dedicated dredging to construct wetlands, 
the construction of outfall management structures, and combinations of 
the above. Various capacities for the diversion structure would be 
investigated. Various increments of dedicated dredging and increments 
of long-term diversion amounts would also be investigated.
    4. Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the scope of 
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the EIS. For 
this analysis, a letter will be sent to all parties believed to have an 
interest in the analysis, requesting their input on alternatives and 
issues to be evaluated. The letter will also notify interested parties 
of public scoping meetings 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 in the early part of 2002. 
The meeting will be held in Plaquemines parish, Louisiana. Additional 
meetings could be held, depending upon interest and if it

[[Page 65682]]

is determined that further public coordination is warranted.
    5. Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues 
to be evaluated in the EIS includes tidal wetlands (marshes and 
swamps), aquatic resources, commercial and recreational fisheries, 
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, 
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 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 (NMFS) concerning threatened and endangered 
species and their critical habitat. The NMFS will be consulted on the 
effects of this proposed action on Essential Fish Habitat. 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 
is expected to be available is summer of 2002.

    Dated: December 11, 2001.
Michael R. Burt,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Acting District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 01-31358 Filed 12-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P