[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32332-32333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13014]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Sacramento River Deep Water Ship Channel, California

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District (Corps) 
in coordination with the Port of Sacramento intends to prepare a joint 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)/Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) to evaluate the action of resuming 
construction of navigational improvements to the Sacramento River Deep 
Water Ship Channel (SRDWSC). This congressionally authorized project 
would deepen the existing Federal navigation channel from 30 feet to 35 
feet (mean lower low water) and widen portions of the channel to 
improve navigational efficiency and safety. Deepening of the existing 
ship channel is anticipated to provide transportation cost savings as a 
result of movement of cargo via larger deeper draft vessels and 
movement of project-induced tonnage.

DATES: Written comments regarding the scope of the draft SEIS/SEIR must 
be submitted no later than 7 days after the scoping meeting date. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section regarding the date of the scoping 
meeting.

ADDRESSES: Mail written comments to: Mr. David Patterson, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, 333 Market St. 822F, San 
Francisco, CA 94150-2197. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section 
regarding the location of the scoping meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Patterson, (415) 977-8707.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SRDWSC is located in the Sacramento-San 
Joaquin Delta region of northern California. The 46.5-mile long ship 
channel lies within Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, and Yolo Counties

[[Page 32333]]

and serves the marine terminal facilities at the Port of Sacramento. 
The SRDWSC joins the existing 35-feet deep channel at New York Slough, 
thereby affording the Port of Sacramento access to San Francisco Bay 
Area harbors and the Pacific Ocean. This navigational improvement 
project was analyzed in the Feasibility Report and Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (1980), the General Design Memorandum and Final 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (1986), and Environmental 
Assessments (1988, 1991, 1992). Navigational improvements to the SRDWSC 
were authorized in the Supplemental Appropriations of 1985 (Pub. L. 99-
88). Construction to deepen the existing channel to 35 feet was 
initiated in 1989, but work was suspended in 1990 at the request of the 
Port of Sacramento. Two of six construction contracts, from River Mile 
43 to 35, have been completed to date. The Corps has been directed by 
Congress to reevaluate the project and to recommend whether to resume 
construction.
    The SEIS/SEIR will update the 1980 EIS and the 1986 SEIS and will 
evaluate changes to project conditions. The SEIS/SEIR will determine if 
there are significant new issues, information, or environmental 
concerns bearing on the proposed project and alternatives. The SEIS/
SEIR will reexamine water and air quality issues, fish and wildlife 
impacts, and effects to endangered or threatened species. The impact of 
deepening on salinity intrusion and its effect on water quality in the 
Delta will be reexamined. Effects to water and air quality and fish and 
wildlife from dredging and disposal of dredged material at upland 
disposal sites will be reexamined. Additionally, the economic benefits 
of the proposed project and alternatives will be reexamined.
    1. Proposed Action. The proposed project would complete the 
deepening and widening of the navigation channel to its authorized 
depth of 35 feet. Other features of the authorized plan, include the 
establishment of wetland/riparian habitat on prospect Island and lower 
Sherman Island to mitigate for project impacts and restore wetland 
habitat. These plan features will be reexamined for their feasibility 
and appropriateness for construction.
    2. Alternatives. Alternative methods of moving goods trough the 
Port of Sacramento were studied in the original EIS and found to be 
less economically beneficial. These alternatives included No Action; 
increased use of LASH (Lighter Aboard Ship) barges; and increased use 
of intermodal transportation. The SEIS/SEIR will reanalyze the 
previously evaluated alternatives and may also evaluate whether a 
project depth shallower than the authorized 35 feet depth would be an 
acceptable project alternative.
    3. Public Involvement. The Corps will hold a public environmental 
scoping meeting to discuss the scope of the draft SEIS/SEIR. The public 
scoping meeting location, date and time will be advertised in advance 
in local newspapers, and meeting announcement letters will be sent to 
interested parties. The draft SEIS/SEIR is expected to be available for 
a 45-day public review and comment period in December 2004. The Corps 
will announce availability of the draft in the Federal Register and 
other media, and will provide the public, organizations, and agencies 
with an opportunity to submit comments, which will be addressed in the 
final SEIS/SEIR. the final SEIS/SEIR is expected to be available for a 
30-day review period in August 2005.

Michael McCormick,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 04-13014 Filed 6-8-04; 8:45 am]
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