[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 193 (Monday, October 6, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57674-57675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25203]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Extension of Scoping Period for the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report for a Proposed Marine Terminal 
Development at Pier S in the Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles County, CA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent--extension of scoping period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is considering the 
development of Pier S Marine Terminal Project (Proposed Action). The 
development of Pier S would result in a 160-acre marine container 
terminal, and would include four elements: dredging, wharf 
construction, and container cranes; container yard; terminal buildings 
and truck gates; and an intermodal rail yard.
    The primary Federal concern is the dredging and discharging of 
materials within waters of the U.S. and potential impacts on the human 
environment. Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Corps is 
authorized to approve discharges of dredged or fill material into 
waters of the U.S. Under section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, the 
Corps may authorize activities that could affect navigable waters. The 
Corps is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) prior to deciding whether 
or not to authorize the Proposed Action. The Corps may ultimately make 
a determination to permit or deny the Proposed Action, or permit or 
deny alternatives to the Proposed Action.
    Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the 
Port will serve as Lead Agency for the preparation of an Environmental 
Impact Report (EIR) for its consideration of development approvals 
within its jurisdiction. The Corps and the Port have agreed to jointly 
prepare a Draft EIS/EIR in order to optimize efficiency and avoid 
duplication. The Draft EIS/EIR is intended to be sufficient in scope to 
address federal, state, and local requirements and environmental issues 
concerning the proposed activities and permit approvals.
    Scoping Process and Availability of the Draft: The Corps previously 
published its NOI in the Federal Register on September 12th, 2003. For 
further information, please consult the original NOI publication.
    The Corps and the Port will jointly conduct a scoping meeting for 
the proposed project. English and Spanish translation services will be 
provided at the meeting. The public scoping meeting will be held to 
receive public comment and assess public concerns regarding the 
appropriate scope of the Draft EIS/EIR. Participation in the public 
meeting by federal, state and local agencies and other interested 
organizations and persons are encouraged. Parties interested in being 
added to the Corps' electronic mail

[[Page 57675]]

notification list for the Pier S marine terminal project or other 
projects in the Port of Long Beach can register at: http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/regulatory/register.html. This list will be used 
in the future to notify the public about scheduled hearings and 
availability of future public notices.
    The Corps of Engineers will also be consulting with the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act and Fish and 
Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the National Marine Fisheries 
Service under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Additionally, the EIS/EIR will 
assess the consistency of the proposed Action with the Coastal Zone 
Management Act and potential water quality impacts pursuant to Section 
401 of the Clean Water Act.
    The public scoping meeting for the Draft EIS/EIR will be held on 
September 25th, 2003, at 6 p.m, at the Port of Long Beach 
administration building. The Corps and the Port will separately 
transmit local notices of the meeting prior to the event. Written 
comments will now be received until October 17th, 2003. The Draft EIS/
EIR is expected to be published and circulated sometime between Winter 
2003 and Spring 2004, and a new public notice and public hearing will 
be held after its publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and Draft EIS/EIR can be answered by Mr. Joshua Burnam, Corps Project 
Manager, at 213-452-3294. Comments regarding the scope of the Draft 
EIS/EIR shall be addressed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los 
Angeles District, Regulatory Branch, ATTN: File Number 1999-16479-JLB, 
P.O. Box 532711, Los Angeles, California 90053-2325. Copies should also 
be sent to Stacey Crouch, Port of Long Beach, P.O. Box 570, Long Beach, 
CA 90801-0570.

Richard G. Thompson,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 03-25203 Filed 10-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-92-P