[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13526-13527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6471]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6649-8]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) on the Federal Funding, Construction, Operation and Monitoring of 
the Restoration Project Titled: Mississippi River Reintroduction Into 
Bayou Lafourche

AGENCY: Region 6 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Issuance of Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: EPA Region 6 is preparing an EIS on the proposed Mississippi 
River Reintroduction Into Bayou Lafourche project. The proposed project 
is intended to enhance freshwater flows in Bayou Lafourche to nourish 
and protect marshes of the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins and meet 
human water supply needs. EPA has determined that the proposed multiple 
use and multiple benefit wetlands restoration effort is a Major Federal 
Action significantly affecting the human environment. The purpose of 
the EIS is to provide information and analysis for decisions on the 
project in accordance with the policies and purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coastal Wetland Planning, Protection, 
and Restoration Act (CWPPRA), Pub. L. 101-646, provides funding for 
projects intended to restore and protect sensitive Louisiana coastal 
areas and establishes a multi-agency task force to consider, develop, 
and implement such projects. The Mississippi River Reintroduction Into 
Bayou Lafourche is one such proposed project. The EPA is designated the 
Federal member of the CWPPRA Task Force to carry out the project. As 
proposed, the project would significantly increase the flow of water 
from the Mississippi River into Bayou Lafourche, historically a natural 
distributary channel of the River. By human action, the Bayou was cut 
off from the River with construction of the existing flood protection 
levee. Over time, it was recognized that precipitation alone into the 
bayou system was not adequate to meet the human or natural ecosystem 
needs. The project proposes to significantly increase Mississippi River 
water flow through a structure constructed through or over the flood 
protection levee of the River at Donaldsonville, Louisiana. The water 
would then flow down the bayou and connected waterways toward the Gulf 
of Mexico and into adjacent wetlands, increasing input of freshwater, 
nutrients and some sediments. Portions of the Ascension, Assumption, 
Lafourche, and Terrebonne Parishes are included in the proposed project 
area. The proposed project also includes installation of emergency 
water level management measures in the bayou such as inflatable weirs. 
Drainage systems associated with the bayou will be analyzed for 
impacts. Evaluation studies carried out for use in project development 
included alternative water sources; existing bayou conditions and basic 
reintroduction scenarios; surveys of elevations and cross-sections; 
hydrologic modeling of flows and of salinity; baseline ecological field 
studies; surveys of flora and fauna of bayou; transportation and 
utilities infrastructure; potential dredging options; value-engineering 
study; and cost evaluations. Impacts on the natural and the human 
environment, including economics and culture, will be evaluated in the 
EIS.
    Alternative Actions: The proposed action includes significantly 
increasing Mississippi River flows into Bayou Lafourche through a head 
works structure at the head of Bayou Lafourche. Alternatives to be 
considered include an array of pumping station and siphon 
configurations, numerous conveyance channel improvements, and, an 
alternative channel alignment upstream of Donaldsonville. The EPA is 
seeking public input on the proposed alternatives and any possible new 
alternatives.
    Public Scoping Meetings: The EPA will hold public meetings at 
several locations along the Bayou to receive public input on the scope 
of issues to be addressed in the Draft EIS and to identify significant 
issues associated with the proposed project. Interested individuals, 
groups, agencies and public officials will be encouraged to 
participate. Meeting locations and dates include: South Central Plan 
Commission Building, Gray LA, 6:30 p.m., April 22; Central Catholic 
High School Gymnasium, Donaldsonville LA, 6:30 p.m., April 26; Larose 
Civic Center, Larose LA, 6:30 p.m., April 27; Napoleonville Civic 
Center, Napoleonville LA, 12:30 p.m., April 28; Municipal Auditorium, 
Thibodaux LA, 6:30 p.m., April 28. Notices will be placed in regional, 
local and periodic newspapers thirty days in advance. Information will 
be provided for potential newspaper, public radio and television 
announcements.

[[Page 13527]]


DATES: The estimated date for release of the Draft EIS is Fall, 2005. 
EPA will publish a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register 
stating where the Draft EIS will be available for review, the date of 
Public Hearing on the Draft EIS and a deadline for submission of 
written comments.

For Further Information, To Submit Scoping Comments, orTo Be Placed on 
the EIS Mailing List, Contact: Ms. Jeanene Peckham,U.S. EPA, Water 
Quality Protection Division Field Office, 707 Florida Blvd, Suite B-21, 
Baton Rouge, LA, 70801. Telephone: 225-389-0736; or e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Responsible Official: Richard E. Greene, Regional Administrator.

    Dated: March 17, 2004.
Anne Norton Miller,
Director, OFA.
[FR Doc. 04-6471 Filed 3-22-04; 8:45 am]
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