[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28199-28200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13010]



[[Page 28200]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement Titled: 
Mississippi River and Tributaries-Morganza, Louisiana to the Gulf of 
Mexico Hurricane Protection--Houma Navigation Canal Deepening General 
Re-Evaluation

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. 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 Energy and Water Development 
Appropriation Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 103-316) authorized the Morganza, 
Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico feasibility study to determine the 
feasibility of deepening the navigation channel of the Houma Navigation 
Canal, LA from 15 feet to a maximum of 25 feet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) should be addressed to Mr. Nathan Dayan at U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, PM-RS, PO Box 60267, New Orleans, LA 70160-
0267, by e-mail at [email protected], phone (504) 862-2530, 
or fax number (504) 862-2572.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Deepening the channel in the Houma 
Navigation Canal will allow for growth in marine activity that the 
present depth does not allow. The trend in the offshore oil and gas 
industry is for exploration and production in very deep water. This has 
two important implications for the Houma Navigation Canal. Deepwater 
activity requires larger service vessels, as well as, a greater 
financial commitment for any given project. Therefore, firms that can 
build, service and maintain larger vessels at the lowest cost will win 
contracts that would otherwise go to overseas competitors. Deepening 
the channel will allow the deeper draft service boats to use the Houma 
Navigation Canal, not only as a base of operations, but also take 
advantage of the nearby construction and repair facilities located 
along the canal. Also, the strategic location of the canal allows for 
less costly trips to the deepwater tracts of the Gulf of Mexico.
    1. Proposed Action. The proposed action would include the deepening 
of the existing Houma Navigation Canal, Louisiana project to depths up 
to 25 feet. The material dredged for the construction and maintenance 
of the channels would be used for wetlands restoration and 
construction, to the extent practicable. Economic and environmental 
analysis would be used to determine the most practical plan, which 
would provide for the greatest overall public benefit.
    2. Alternatives. Alternatives recommended for consideration 
presently include the construction of a deeper channel in the Houma 
Navigation Canal. Various project depths for navigation channels would 
also be investigated.
    3. 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 middle part of 2003. 
The meeting will be held in the vicinity of Houma, LA. Additional 
meetings could be held, depending upon interest and if it is determined 
that further public coordination is warranted.
    4. 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.
    5. 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 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 (DEIS) or a notice of its availability will be distributed to all 
interested agencies, organizations, and individuals.
    6. Estimated Date of Availability. Funding levels will dictate the 
date when the DEIS is available. The earliest that the DEIS is expected 
to be available in the fall of 2004.

    Dated: May 9, 2003.
Peter J. Rowan,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 03-13010 Filed 5-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P