[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6015-6016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3083]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for 
the Bogue Banks Shore Protection Feasibility Study, in Carteret County, 
NC

AGENCY: Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Bogue Banks study area is located on the coast of North 
Carolina, about 80 miles of north Wilmington, North Carolina. This area 
is at risk from hurricanes and winter storms, which regularly erode the 
shoreline, causing damages to structures and environmental resources. 
The proposed shoreline protection study will evaluate several 
alternatives for implementing solutions to shore protection and related 
issues on Bogue Banks. These alternatives may include restoration of 
berms and dunes, with stabilizing vegetation on dunes, removal and/or 
relocation of structures, and the no-action alternative. The potential 
project area may be up to 24 miles in length (i.e., from Beaufort to 
Bogue Inlets). Potential benefits from the proposed project, include 
the protection of structures and their related infrastructure (i.e., 
roads, utility lines, etc.), improved aesthetic and recreation 
opportunities, and improved habitat conditions for endangered species.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and DEIS can be answered by: Mr. Hugh Heine; Environmental Resources 
Section; U.S. Army Engineer District, Wilmington; Post Office Box 1890; 
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890; telephone: (910) 251-4070.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed shore protection project may 
consist of a berm or combination of berm and dune to be constructed 
along various reaches of the oceanfront within the study area. 
Additionally, the removal and/or relocation of structures from the 
shoreline will be evaluated. The selection of final project features 
and reaches for inclusion in the recommended plan will be based on a 
maximization of net benefits. During the feasibility study, potential 
offshore sources of borrow material and quantities of sand required for 
project construction will be determined. Maintenance of project reaches 
are expected to require renourishment every 3 to 5 years; however, 
renourishment of portions of the project area could be required more 
frequently.
    Alternative methods of beach nourishment and dredging of offshore 
borrow areas will also be evaluated including the use of an ocean-
certified hydraulic pipeline or hopper dredge.
    All private parties and Federal, State, and local agencies having 
an interest in the study are hereby notified of the study and are 
invited to comment at this time. Also, a scoping letter requesting 
input to the study was sent to all known interested parties on December 
29, 1999.
    Based on comments received to date, a scoping meeting will not be 
needed. All comments received as a result of this notice of intent and 
the scoping letter will be considered in the preparation of the DEIS.
    Significant environmental resources to be addressed in project 
development include: (1) Benthic resources, (2) sea turtles and marine 
mammals, and (3) cultural resources. Efforts will be made to enhance 
resource conditions and minimize impacts.
    The lead agency for this project is the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers District, Wilmington. Cooperating agency status has not been 
assigned to, nor requested by, any other agency. The DEIS is being 
prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and will address the 
relationship of the proposed action to all other applicable Federal and 
State Laws and Executive Orders. The DEIS is

[[Page 6016]]

currently scheduled to be available in the spring of 2003.

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-3083 Filed 2-7-02; 8:45 am]
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