[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 55949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24615]



[[Page 55949]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement Titled: 
Amite River and Tributaries, Bayou Manchac, LA

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 as a continuation of the Amite River and 
Tributaries Initial Evaluation Study, dated November 1984. The Amite 
River and Tributaries Study was initiated in response to a resolution, 
dated April 14, 1967, of the committee on Public Works of the United 
States Senate. This resolution directed the Board of Engineers, created 
under Section 3 of the River and Harbors Act, dated June 13, 1902, to 
determine whether the existing project should be modified for 
additional improvements for flood control and related purposes on the 
Amite River, Bayou Manchac, and Comite River and their tributaries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) should be addressed to Ms. Elizabeth McCasland 
at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, PM-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, LA 
70160-0267, by E-mail at [email protected], 
phone (504) 862-2021, or fax number (504) 862-2572.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An early screening phase concluded that 
there were not enough structural damages to support a single-purpose 
flood damage reduction study. However, it was determined that 
opportunities exist for ecosystem restoration that could possibly lower 
storm water stages as an ancillary benefit. This project will be 
evaluated under the National Ecosystem Restoration (NER) and National 
Economic Development (NED) planning and procedures guidelines.
    1. Proposed Action. The proposed action would include one or more 
of the alternatives that when combined would improve the ecosystem and 
possibly reduce flood stages. 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: A higher capacity structure at the confluence of 
Alligator Bayou and Bayou Manchac, a connection to New River, a 
freshwater input from Willow Glen Power Plant, a replacement of Frog 
Bayou Structure, Habitat Restoration, a pump and conveyance at Elbow 
Bayou with a flow restriction on Bayou Fountain, an operational water 
management plan and Non-Structural flood reduction measures.
    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 fall of 2003. The 
meeting will be held in the vicinity of Baton Rouge, 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 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 is the summer of 2006.

    Dated: September 15, 2003.
Peter J. Rowan,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 03-24615 Filed 9-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P