[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 6477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1727]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6672-1]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Designation of an Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) Off 
Gulfport, MS

AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 4.
    Purpose: The U.S. EPA, Region 4, in accordance with section 
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and EPA's 
October 29, 1998 Notice of Policy and Procedures for Voluntary 
Preparation of National Environmental Policy (NEPA) Documents (63 FR 
58045), and in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(Corps), Mobile District, will prepare a Draft EIS on the designation 
of a new ODMDS off Gulfport, Mississippi. An EIS is needed to provide 
the information necessary to designate an ODMDS. This Notice of Intent 
is issued pursuant to section 102 of the Marine Protection, Research 
and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, and 40 CFR Part 228 (Criteria for the 
Management of Disposal Sites for Ocean Dumping).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Douglas K. Johnson, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, Coastal Programs section, 61 
Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, phone (404) 562-9386 or Dr. 
Susan Ivester Rees, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, 
Planning & Environmental Division, Coastal Environment, P.O. Box 2288, 
Mobile, Alabama 36628, phone (251) 694-4141.
SUMMARY: Ongoing needs for ocean disposal of dredged material and the 
proposed improvements to the Federal Gulfport Harbor navigation channel 
have resulted in the need for the designation of a new ODMDS off 
Gulfport, Mississippi. Gulfport Harbor is located in Harrison County, 
Mississippi, on Mississippi Sound about equidistant (80 miles) from New 
Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. There are currently two 
existing U.S. EPA-designated ODMDSs located east and west of the 
Federal channel; however, these sites will not provide sufficient 
capacity to accommodate the anticipated disposal needs of the upcoming 
improvements at Gulfport Harbor.
    Need for Action: The Corps, Mobile District has requested that U.S. 
EPA designate a new ODMDS off Gulfport, Mississippi for the disposal of 
dredged material from the Gulfport Harbor area, when ocean disposal of 
dredged material is the preferred disposal alternative. An EIS is 
required to provide the necessary information to evaluate alternatives 
and designate the preferred ODMDS.
    Alternatives: ``No action'' alternative. The no action alternative 
is defined as not designating an ocean disposal site. Additional 
alternatives under consideration include: Nearshore Area Disposal Site; 
Mid-shelf Area Disposal Site; and a Deepwater Area Disposal Site.
    Scoping: Scoping will be accomplished by correspondence with 
affected Federal, State, and local agencies, and with anticipated 
interested parties. Appropriate Federal, State, and local entities will 
be invited to participate as a cooperating agency.
    Estimated Date of Release: It is anticipated that the Draft EIS 
will be made available for public review in spring 2006.
    Responsible Official: J.I. Palmer, Jr., Regional Administrator, 
Region 4.

    Dated: February 2, 2006.
Anne Norton Miller,
Director, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. E6-1727 Filed 2-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P