[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 192 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62038-62039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25182]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement Titled: 
Donaldsonville to the Gulf, Hurricane Protection Feasibility Study

AGENCY: Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, is 
initiating this study under the authority of a United States House of 
Representative; Transportation and Infrastructure Committee resolution 
adopted May 6, 1998. This study will investigate the feasibility of 
constructing a hurricane protection levee from Larose, Louisiana to the 
western Davis Pond guide levee located east of Boutte, Louisiana. 
Ecosystem restoration components in the Lac des Allemands drainage 
basin area north of U.S. Highway 90 will be incorporated into the 
study. The project location includes Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, 
St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist Parishes, Louisiana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) should be addressed to Mr. Gib Owen at U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, PM-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, LA 70160-0267, 
phone (504) 862-1337, fax number (504) 862-2572 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The resolution authorized a study to 
determine the feasibility of constructing approximately 55 miles of 
hurricane protection levee from Larose, Louisiana to the western Davis 
Pond guide levee located east of Boutte, Louisiana. The proposed levee 
alignment would start at the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Lafourche 
Parish and proceed north parceling the east side of Bayou Lafourche to 
U.S. Highway 90 south of Raceland, Louisiana. The alignment would 
proceed northeast paralleling the south side of U.S. Highway 90 to 
Bayou Des Allemands. A water control structure would be built at Bayou 
des Allemands. Levee alignment would proceed northeast from east side 
of Bayou Des Allemands to join with the west Davis Pond guide levee 
east of Boutte, Louisiana. Additionally, ecosystem restoration 
activities and interior drainage issues will be investigated in the Lac 
des Allemands drainage basin between Donaldsonville and Des Allemands 
Louisiana.

[[Page 62039]]

1. Alternatives

a. Hurricane Levees

    Environmental and economic analysis will be used to determine the 
most practical plan, which would provide for the greatest overall 
public benefit. Alternatives recommended for consideration include 
several levee alignments along the east side of the Bayou Lafourche 
corridor in the vicinity of the wetland/cropland interface. Alternative 
alignments along the Bayou des Allemands to Davis Pond guide levee 
corridor would follow existing St. Charles Parish levees or along 
routes for which the parish has obtained permits. Alternatives will be 
investigated for levees of various elevations and widths that provide 
varying levels of protection, to determine the plan with the highest 
net benefits.

b. Flood Control Structure at Bayou des Allemands

    Alternatives will be investigated for several locations where levee 
would intersect Bayou des Allemands.

c. Ecosystem Restoration Features in the Lac des Allemands Drainage 
Basin

    Ecosystem restoration alternatives being considered include a 
freshwater diversion from the Mississippi River, breaching of existing 
spoil banks to create more overland flow of water through the basin, 
and drainage improvements to prevent stagnation.

2. Scoping

    Scoping is the process for determining the range 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 October and 
November 2002. Possible meeting site are in the vicinity of Hahnville, 
Vacherie, Edgard, Gheens, Chackbay, Napoleonville and Donaldsonville, 
Louisiana. Additional meetings could be held, depending upon interest 
and if it is determined that further public coordination is warranted.

3. Significant Issues

    The tentative list of resources and issues to be evaluated in the 
EIS includes wetlands (marshes and swamps), bottomland hardwoods, 
agricultural lands, wildlife resources, aquatic resources including 
fisheries and 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.

4. Environmental Consultation and Review

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be assisting in the 
documentation of existing conditions and the assessment of effects of 
project alternatives through the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act 
consultation procedures. The USFWS will provide a Fish and Wildlife 
Coordination Act report. Consultation will 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.

5. 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 
in the fall of 2004.

    Dated: September 16, 2002.
Peter J. Rowan,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 02-25182 Filed 10-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P