[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8744-8745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4406]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Palm Beach Harbor Lake Worth Access Channel Expansion, Section 107 
Small Navigation Project

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 (Corps), Jacksonville 
District intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) for the Palm Beach Harbor Lake Worth Access Channel Expansion, 
Section 107 Small Navigation Project. The study is a cooperative effort 
between the Corps and the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND), 
with the support of Palm Beach County (PBC) and the Port of Palm Beach 
Harbor (PBH).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James McAdams, 904-232-2117, 
Environmental Branch, Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, 
FL 32232-0019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS for the PBH Lake Worth Access 
Channel Expansion, Section 107 Small Navigation Project was authorized 
by the Flood Control Act of 1968.
    The purpose of the study is to consider modifying the Federal 
navigation project of PBH to provide navigation access for larger and 
deeper-draft vessels to interior berthing, testing, and repair 
facilities located adjacent to PBH in Lake Worth. Existing depths in 
the proposed Lake Worth main access channel area are presently limited 
to the 10-foot deep Federal IWW channel that runs north and south from 
the Port. The need for this deepening project comes from the recent 
growth in larger/deeper-draft vessels requiring deeper water depths to 
safely navigate the interior area.
    The study involves an analysis of available information from 
sources within the project area and records at the Jacksonville 
District. The without project deepening condition is for continuing 
maintenance of the existing 10-foot depth (Intracoastal Waterway) IWW 
channel, with maintenance to maintain the channels for both projects. A 
deepened access channel was analyzed from the existing ten-foot depth, 
in one-foot increments to a 16-foot depth. Each alternative depth 
considered includes a one-foot required and one-foot allowable over-
depth. All alternative depth main access channels have a bottom width 
of 125 feet for about 0.7 miles \2\ north and 4.5 miles south of the 
PBH project limit. Adding an appropriate depth access channel would 
enable larger vessels access to commercial repair and berthing 
facilities in the vicinity of PBH and improve operational efficiencies 
at other commercial and educational training facilities along Lake 
Worth.
    The existing 1.6-mile Federal PBH navigation channel provides a 35 
foot deep project through the ocean inlet, 33 feet through the inner 
channel and within the main turning basin, and 25 feet in a second 
turning basin, to berthing slips and wharves at PPBH, in West Palm 
Beach, Florida. PBH serves a variety of dry bulk, liquid bulk, and 
general cargo vessels calling at the Harbor in addition to smaller 
commercial and recreational boating interests. The present Section 107 
study addresses and is focused on an extension of the harbor footprint 
to the north and south via the addition of main and interior access 
channels and berthing areas. The Jacksonville to Miami IWW, part of 
which is co-located with the Harbor and continues north and south from 
the Port, traverses the study area. This report's primary study area is 
a 5.2 mile reach of Lake Worth in Palm Beach County in the vicinity of 
PBH.
    Several Federal navigation, beach erosion control, environmental 
restoration, and food control projects exist in the study area. The 
first navigation project is the PBH project. The second navigation 
project is the IWW from Jacksonville to Miami. Two beach erosion 
control projects exist along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline adjacent to 
PBH. Also, a section 1135 study was initiated during 1996 to examine 
environmental restoration of a portion of Peanut Island, the upland 
dredged material disposal site used in the PBH and IWW projects. The 
final project is the West Palm Beach Canal (C-51) that currently serves 
as a flood control structure, although initially constructed for 
navigation purposes.
    Alternatives: Two basic sets of alternatives were considered for 
providing an access channel for navigation in the Lake Worth study 
area. One is to do no further improvements to the project (no action 
plan). The second set of alternatives involve structural changes to 
(extension of) the existing PBH project. The alternative evaluations 
involved an assessment of the optimum channel depth to provide the 
greatest return on the investment (net benefits), the dredging 
equipment for performing the construction and maintenance work, and 
dredged material disposal options. The identification of these 
alternatives and options are discussed in the subsequent sections.
    Issues: The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will consider 
impacts on seagrasses, protected species, health and safety, water 
quality, aesthetics and recreation, fish and wildlife resources, 
cultural resources, energy conservation, socio-economic resources, and 
other impacts identified through scoping, public involvement, and 
interagency coordination.
    Scoping: A scoping letter was sent to interested parties on 
September 13, 2000 for the original Environmental Assessment of the 
project. Due to comments received, an EIS was judged needed and a new 
scoping letter will be sent out the first week of February 2003. In 
addition, all parties are invited to participate in the scoping process 
by identifying any additional concerns on issues, studies needed, 
alternatives, procedures, and other matters related to the scoping 
process. At this time, there are no plans for a public scoping meeting.
    Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected 
Federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other 
interested private organizations and parties.
    Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, with the FWS 
under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the State 
Historic Preservation Officer.
    Other Environmental Review and Consultation: The proposed action 
would involve evaluation for compliance with guidelines pursuant to 
Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act; application (to the State of 
Florida) for Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the 
Clean Water Act; certification of state lands, easements, and rights of 
way; Essential Fish Habitat with National Marine Fisheries Service; and 
determination of Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.
    Agency Role: As cooperating agency, non-Federal sponsor, and 
leading local expert; Palm Beach County Department

[[Page 8745]]

of Environmental Resources will provide extensive information and 
assistance on the resources to be impacted, mitigation measures, and 
alternatives.
    DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be available 
to the public on or about August 15, 2003.

    Dated: February 4, 2003.
George M. Strain,
Acting Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 03-4406 Filed 2-24-03; 8:45 am]
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