[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70786-70787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31338]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Surf City and North Topsail Beach, NC, Shore Protection Project

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Surf City and North Topsail Beach are located on Topsail 
Island, a barrier island on North Carolina's central coast. Storm 
activity has resulted in severe erosion of the protective berm and dune 
along the ocean shoreline of the area, as well as damage to numerous 
structures and their contents. Studies conducted to address these 
problems were included in House Document 393, 102nd Congress, ``West 
Onslow Beach and New River Inlet, North Carolina,'' which was approved 
by Congress in 1992. This report recommended a hurricane protection and 
beach erosion control project for approximately 3.6 miles of oceanfront 
at Topsail beach, but determined that such improvements were 
economically infeasible for the northernmost portion of the island, 
including Surf City and North Topsail Beach. However, the six 
hurricanes that passed through the area during 1996-1999 inflicted 
heavy damages to these towns and, as a result, Congress directed that a 
review be made of the 1992 report to determine the advisability of 
modifying its recommendations with regard to shore protection for Surf 
City and North Topsail beach.
    The potential for shoreline protection was subsequently reexamined 
in the ``Surf City and North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, 
Reconnaissance Report'' of May 2001, which recommended continued 
Federal participation a feasibility study. The feasibility study was 
initiated in 2002 and is ongoing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) can be answered by Ms. 
Jenny Owens; Environmental Resources Section; U.S. Army Engineer 
District, Wilmington; Post Office Box 1890; Wilmington, NC 28402-1890; 
telephone: (910) 251-4757.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Feasibility studies will investigate the 
entire oceanfront along Surf City and North Topsail Beach, except for 
portions of North Topsail Beach located within the Coastal Barrier 
Resources System (CBRS). The Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982 
renders units of the CBRS

[[Page 70787]]

ineligible for Federal funding that could encourage their development. 
The principal purpose of a Federal project would be the reduction of 
damages associated with hurricane and storm events and beach erosion. 
Potential benefits from the project would include protection of the 
towns' structures and related infrastructure (i.e., roads, utility 
lines, etc.), as well as improvements in aesthetic qualities and 
recreational opportunities at the beaches.
    The feasibility studies will evaluate several alternatives to 
address shore protection and related issues. These alternatives may 
include: (1) Construction of berms and dunes along all or portions of 
the oceanfront within the study area; (2) Removal and/or relocation of 
threatened structures; and (3) No Federal action. The maximum potential 
project length is approximately 10 miles (the 17 miles from New River 
Inlet south to the Surf City-Topsail Beach town limits exclusive of 
approximately 7 miles within the CBRS). The selection of final project 
features and reaches for inclusion in a recommended plan will be based 
on a maximization of net benefits.
    During the feasibility studies, potential estuarine, inlet, 
offshore, and upland sources of borrow material will be investigated, 
and quantities of sand required for berm and dune construction will be 
determined. Estimated sand volumes and placement frequency for project 
maintenance will also be developed.
    Alternative methods of beach nourishment and dredging of offshore 
borrow areas will be evaluated, including the use of ocean-certified 
hydraulic pipeline and/or hopper dredges.
    All private parties and Federal, State, and local agencies having 
an interest in the study are hereby notified of the study and are 
invited to comment at this time. A scoping letter requesting input to 
the study was sent to all known interested parties on February 14, 
2001.
    A formal scoping meeting is not planned at this time but may be 
held if it is determined that new information may be obtained that 
would not otherwise be available. All comments received as a result of 
this notice of intent and the previous scoping letter will be 
considered in the preparation of the DEIS.
    Significant environmental resources to be addressed during project 
studies and in the DEIS include: (1) Endangered and threatened species; 
(2) Fish and wildlife and their habitats, including essential fish 
habitat; (3) Water quality; (4) Socioeconomic resources; and (5) 
Cultural resources. Efforts will be made to enhance resource conditions 
and minimize adverse impacts.
    The lead agency for this project is the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers District, Wilmington. Cooperating agency status has not been 
assigned to any other agency. The DEIS is being prepared in accordance 
with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
as amended, and will address the relationship of the proposed action to 
all other applicable Federal and State Laws and Executive Orders. The 
DEIS is currently scheduled for distribution to the public in the 
winter of 2005.

    Dated: December 2, 2003.
W. Eugene Tickner, P.E.,
Deputy District Engineer, Programs and Project Management.
[FR Doc. 03-31338 Filed 12-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-CE-M