[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4413-4414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2219]


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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 Myrtle Grove Ecosystem Restoration Analysis, LA

AGENCY: U.S. 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. Causes of 
wetland loss are as varied and complex as 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 leads to serious negative impacts on fish and wildlife 
populations, hurricane protection, and the economy of Louisiana and the 
nation. If flows of freshwater, nutrient, and sediment from the 
Mississippi River into wetlands were reestablished, then lost coastal 
wetland ecosystem structure and function would be restored to a 
sustainable level.

[[Page 4414]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Questions concerning the EIS should be 
addressed to Mr. Sean Mickal at (504) 862-2319. Mr. Mickal may also be 
reached at FAX number (504) 862-2572 or by E-mail at 
[email protected]. Mr. Mickal's address is U.S. ARMY 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, PM-RS, P.O. BOX 60267, NEW ORLEANS, LA 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 west of the Mississippi River in Barataria Basin, 
Louisiana. This ecosystem is located approximately 25-30 miles due 
south of New Orleans, Louisiana, in Plaquemines, Jefferson, and 
Lafourche parishes. This action would attempt to utilize the nutrients, 
freshwater, and sediment of the Mississippi River for this restoration. 
The objective is to reestablish ecosystem functions lost with wetlands 
deterioration and would increase the wetland acreage and biodiversity 
of the ecosystem. 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 one or more river diversion structures in the vicinity 
of Myrtle Grove, dedicated dredging to construct wetlands, the 
construction of outfall management structures, and combinations of the 
above. Various capacities for the diversion structure(s) 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 series of public scoping meetings will be held in the early part 
of 2002. These meetings will be held in Plaquemines and Jefferson 
Parishes, Louisiana. Additional meetings could be held, depending upon 
interest and if it is determined that further public coordination is 
warranted.

5. Significant Issues

    The tentative list of resources and issues that would be evaluated 
in the EIS includes tidally influenced coastal 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 that would 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 when the draft EIS would be made 
available. The earliest date the draft EIS is expected to be available 
is the spring of 2004.

    Dated: January 10, 2002.
Thomas F. Julich,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 02-2219 Filed 1-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P