[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 125 (Monday, June 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38692-38693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16178]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay, Combined Flood Control and Shore 
Protection Project, Union Beach, Monmouth County, NJ

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

[[Page 38693]]


ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(Corps) is issuing this notice to announce the availability for public 
review and comment of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for 
proposed measures to provide flood control and storm damage protection 
in Union Beach, New Jersey. The DEIS has been prepared in accordance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The DEIS evaluates 
the potential adverse and beneficial environmental impacts that may 
result from the implementation of the restoration of the beach berm and 
dune, periodic beach renourishment, and construction of storm damage 
reduction measures. The DEIS documents and addresses the environmental 
impacts of the following projects: Union Beach including Chingarora 
Creek, Flat and East Creeks, and the Bay Shore.
    The selected plan consists of three major elements: (1) Chingarora 
Creek levee and floodwall; (2) Bay Shore beach and dune incorporating 
terminal groins with adjoining revetments; and (3) Flat and East creeks 
floodwall and levee alignment. In addition to the initial construction, 
the selected plan includes periodic renourishment of the Bay Shore 
element. Public comments on the DEIS will assist in the Corps' 
evaluation of the project and will be reflected in the final EIS.
    Written comments received within 45 days of the publication of the 
Environmental Protection Agency's notice of availability will be 
considered by the Corps in preparing the final EIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Howard Ruben, Environmental 
Analyst, Planning Division, Environmental Analysis Branch, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, New York District, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2151, New 
York, NY 10278-0090, at (212) 264-0206 or at 
[email protected]. Written comments are to be provided to 
Mr. Ruben.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. The Corps is currently evaluating a 
hurricane and storm damage reduction study to provide hurricane and 
storm protection to residential, commercial, and recreational resources 
in the Borough of Union Beach, located along the Raritan Bay and Sandy 
Hook Bay (RBSHB) shoreline and adjacent areas in Monmouth County, NJ. 
Hurricanes, northeasters, and extratropical storms have historically 
damaged shorefronts, beaches, homes, commercial properties, and 
community infrastructures. Erosion of the beach and the lack of long-
term shore protection measures have resulted in deterioration of the 
natural beachfront dune complexes in the study area. Severe storm 
events have flooded the areas and stranded residents in their homes. 
Consequently, there has been a reduction in the capability of the study 
area beaches and the low-lying terrain, to provide long-term protection 
from damages caused by hurricanes and severe storms such as 
northeasters. In addition, the threat of future storms in the study 
area poses a danger to local residents and business owners.
    2. The Union Beach, New Jersey Beach Hurricane and Storm Damage 
Reduction Study, was originally authorized for construction as part of 
the RBSHB Project, New Jersey, in the Flood Control Act of October 23, 
1962, in accordance with House Document Number 464, 87th Congress, 
Second Session.

Leonard Houston,
Chief, Environmental Analysis Branch.
[FR Doc. 03-16178 Filed 6-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-06-M