[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60798-60799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20899]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Dredged Material Management Plan for the Lower Atchafalaya, 
Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black Navigation Channel, and the Gulf of 
Mexico, in Assumption, St. Mary, and Terrebone Parishes in the Vicinity 
of Morgan City, LA

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers is preparing the 
Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) for the existing Atchafalaya 
River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, Louisiana, navigation 
project. The DMMP will require a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (SEIS) No. 3 to the Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS) for the Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, 
Louisiana (March 1973), navigation project. The project was authorized 
by the River and Harbor Act of 1968 in accordance with House Document 
155, 90th Congress, 1st Session. The purpose of the DMMP is to develop 
a long term management strategy to accomplish the placement of dredged 
material associated with the navigation project in the least costly 
manner, that is consistent with sound engineering practice, and that 
meets all applicable Federal environmental laws. The Atchafalaya River 
and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, Louisiana,

[[Page 60799]]

navigation project requires, at a minimum, yearly channel maintenance. 
Existing disposal sites are at their design capacity and new disposal 
areas are required. The SEIS objective is to document the potential 
impacts at newly designated disposal sites (adverse and beneficial) 
related to maintaining the navigation channel for the next twenty 
years. The dredged material would be used for beneficial purposes to 
extent practicable (barrier island and coastal wetlands restoration). A 
public scoping meeting will be held on November 17, 2005, at the City 
Auditorium, 728 Myrtle Street, Morgan City, Louisiana, from 7 p.m. to 9 
p.m.

DATES: Public Scoping Meeting, November 17, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Correspondence may be sent to Mr. Larry Marcy at U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, CEMVK-PP-PQ, 4155 Clay Street, 
Vicksburg, MS 39180-3435.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry Marcy at phone (601) 631-
5965, fax number (601) 631-5155, or e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Action. The proposed action 
includes environmental impact assessment related to maintenance 
dredging of the existing Lower Atchafalaya River, Bayous Chene, Boeuf, 
and Black navigation channels to a depth of 24 feet (four feet over 
dredging required to maintain a 20-foot deep channel). The dredged 
material from channel maintenance would be used in the most 
environmentally sound and cost-effective manner to restore coastal 
wetlands and barrier islands, maximizing the beneficial use of dredged 
material as a resource.
    Alternatives. alternative disposal sites could be identified, 
evaluated, and selected in cooperation with state and Federal agencies, 
local government, and the public.
    Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the range of the 
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the SEIS. For 
this analysis, a letter will be sent to all parties believed to have an 
interest in the analysis, requesting their input on alternatives and 
issues to be evaluated. The letter will also notify interested parties 
of the public scoping meeting that will be held in the local area. A 
notice will be sent to the local new media. All interested parties are 
invited to comment at this time, and anyone interested in this study 
should request to be included on the mailing list.
    Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues to 
be evaluated in the DMMP SEIS includes tidal wetlands (marshes and 
swamps), aquatic resources, commercial and recreational fisheries, 
wildlife resources, essential fish habitat, water quality, air quality, 
threatened and endangered species, recreation resources, and cultural 
resources. Tentative socio economic items to be evaluated in the SEIS 
include navigation, business and industrial activity and service, tax 
revenues, population, community and regional growth, transportation, 
housing, community cohesion, and noise.
    Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFWS) will be assisting in the documentation of existing 
conditions and assessment of effects of dredged material disposal at 
the various alternative disposal sites through Fish and Wildlife 
Coordination Act consultation procedures. The USFWS will provide a Fish 
and Wildlife Coordination Act report. Threatened and endangered species 
consultation will be accomplished with the USFWS and National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS). The NMFS will be consulted on the effects of 
this proposed action on Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). The draft SEIS or 
a notice of availability will be distributed to all interested 
agencies, organizations, and individuals.
    Estimated Date of Availability. The earliest that the draft SEIS is 
expected to be available is June 2007.

Michael B. Rogers,
Director of Programs.
[FR Doc. 05-20899 Filed 10-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-PU-M