[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48938-48939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16539]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Montauk Point Storm Damage Reduction Project, Suffolk 
County, NY

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This announces the availability of the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS) which assesses the potential environmental 
impacts of the proposed reinforcement of an existing stone revetment 
wall at Montauk Point, Suffolk County, NY. The DEIS has been prepared 
in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulations for implementing NEPA.

DATES: The comment period for the DEIS will end 45 days after 
publication of the notice in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency. The end date falls within the first 
week of October 2005.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the DEIS or submit comments, contact Dr. 
Christopher Ricciardi, Environmental Coordinator, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, New York District, Planning Division--Environmental Analysis 
Branch, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 2151, New York, NY 10278-0090.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Christopher Ricciardi, Planning 
Division--Environmental Analysis Branch, at (917) 790-8630 or 
[email protected].


[[Page 48939]]



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this DEIS is to analyze 
significant issues and information relevant to environmental concerns 
regarding the proposed reinforcement of an existing stone revetment 
wall at Montauk Point, NY. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Montauk 
Historical Society constructed the current revetment wall between 1990 
and 1992. The project study was conducted under the authority of 
resolution adopted by the Committee on Environment and Public Works of 
the U.S. Senate on May 15, 1991.

Resolved by the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the 
United States Senate, that the Secretary of the Army is hereby 
requested to review the report of the Chief of Engineers on Fire 
Island to Montauk Point, New York, published as House Document 
Number 86-425, 86th Congress, 2nd session, and other pertinent 
reports, to determine whether modifications of the recommendations 
contained therein are advisable at the present time, with a view to 
preserving, restoring, and protecting Montauk Point and vicinity, 
including the historic Montauk Lighthouse and associated facilities, 
from erosion, environmental degradation, and coastal storm damage.

    The purpose of this DEIS is to analyze significant issues and 
information relevant to environmental concerns bearing on the proposed 
action or its anticipated impacts. The analysis indicates that short-
term adverse environmental impacts, such as removal of benthic 
invertebrates in the revetment wall area, would be balanced by long-
term beneficial impacts. Monitoring for Cultural and Biological 
resources will be coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the New York State Office of 
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. All activity associated 
with the project would be undertaken in a way to minimize adverse 
impacts to sensitive habitats and threatened and endangered species, 
and adjacent shorelines, as well as to minimize cumulative impacts.
    A 404(b)(1) evaluation has been prepared for the project and is 
included in the DEIS. The proposed action and alternatives do not 
represent a significant threat of degradation to the aquatic 
environment, and are in compliance with the 404(b)(1) Guidelines.
    The Notice of Intent (NOI) was filed in May of 2002. A Public 
Scoping Meeting was held in November 2001 and the results were 
collected in a Public Scoping Document. Results from public and agency 
scoping coordination are addressed in the DEIS. Copies of the DEIS are 
also available at the East Hampton Library and the Montauk Point 
Library.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-16539 Filed 8-18-05; 8:45 am]
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