[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 51 (Friday, March 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12598-12599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1278]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Port Canaveral Navigation Improvements Section 203 Feasibility Study 
Located in Brevard County, FL

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville 
District intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) for the Port Canaveral Improvements Section 203 Feasibility 
Study. The study is being conducted by the Canaveral Port Authority 
under authority granted by section 203 of Water Resources Development 
Act (WRDA) 1986.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, 
Environmental Branch, P.O. 4970, Jacksonville, FL, 32232-0019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Stodola, by e-mail 
[email protected] or by telephone at (904) 232-3271.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    a. Proposed Action. Canaveral Port Authority has elected to conduct 
a feasibility study of potential improvements under the authority 
granted by section 203 of WRDA 1986. Section 203 states (in part) that 
``A non-Federal interest may on its own undertake a feasibility study 
of a proposed harbor or inland harbor project and submit it to the 
Secretary of the Army.'' Corps of Engineers guidance for implementation 
of Section 203 is contained in Engineering Regulation (ER) 1165-2-122, 
August 26, 1991.
    b. Objectives. The objectives of the Port Canaveral Navigation 
Improvements feasibility study are to prepare a Section 203 Study 
Report that fully complies with all Federal laws and regulations 
applicable to navigation project General Investigation feasibility 
studies, and to enable the Assistant Secretary of the Army to make 
appropriate recommendations to Congress regarding authorization of the 
Federal navigation improvements project for Port Canaveral.
    c. Study Purpose and Need for Action. The purpose of the study is 
to evaluate modification to the Federal project for improvements to the 
navigational channels, the west turning basin, and wideners at the 
port, all of which would result in an increase in the efficiency of 
cargo vessels and cruise ships using the port. The study will identify 
and evaluate alternatives that will (2) reduce future congestion at 
Port Canaveral; (2) accommodate anticipated future growth in vessel 
traffic; (3) improve the efficiency of operations for cruise ships and 
cargo vessels within the Port complex; (4) allow for use of the Port by 
larger, more efficient, cruise ships and cargo vessels; and (5) allow 
for development of additional terminals/berths without encroaching on 
the West Turning Basin.
    The total Federal project includes, a 41-foot-deep entrance channel 
and maintenance of the 44-foot-deep Navy Channel in the 41-foot channel 
reach; a 40-foot deep and 400-foot-wide inner channel; depths of 35 and 
39 feet in the middle turning basin; a channel 39 feet deep and 400 
feet wide from the middle turning basin west, 1,800 feet, hence a 
channel 31 feet deep and 400 feet wide to the west turning basin also 
31 feet deep; a channel 39 feet deep and 350 feet wide from the middle 
turning basin and channel north to the end of Berth 4; relocation of 
the perimeter dike about 4,000 feet westward and extension of the 
harbor westward; a south entrance jetty 1,100 feet long and an entrance 
jetty 1,150 long; a barge dock 90 feet wide and 600 feet long west of 
the harbor dike; and a barge canal 12 feet by 125 feet from the middle 
turning basin tot he Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
    The without project condition is for continuation of the same 
channel depths and dimensions, with maintenance dredging as needed to 
maintain current authorized depths. Without proposed project 
improvements the port will continue to experience the following three 
major problems which greatly impact port operations, safety, and 
economic viability.
    1. The size of cruise ships calling at Port Canaveral is 
constrained by channel and turning basin dimensions. The potential for 
future cruise ship terminal expansion cannot be fully exploited under 
existing channel and turning basin dimensions and configurations. In 
addition, the increasingly larger cruise ships calling at Port 
Canaveral are beginning to encroach on the existing west turning basin. 
Also, passage of large cruise ships through the narrow ship channel 
causes surges at cargo piers, which result in cargo vessels having to 
stop loading and unloading activities while the cruise ships pass.
    2. The size of cargo vessels calling at Port Canaveral is 
constrained by existing channel dimensions and configuration. Larger, 
more efficient vessels could be used for bulk items such as aggregates 
and cement if channels were improved.
    3. Congestion at cargo berths reduces the effectiveness and 
efficiency of cargo vessels and landside facilities. Given the rapid 
growth in commodity movements at Port Canaveral, in the very near 
future a significant proportion of cargo vessels calling at Port 
Canaveral will have to wait offshore for a berth to become available. 
Some of these vessels will likely divert to an alternative port, and 
incur increased transportation costs, if channels are not improved. In 
addition, landside facilities will stand idle as vessels wait offshore 
for an available berth.
    d. Alternatives. The proposed alternative navigation improvements 
at

[[Page 12599]]

Port Canaveral include making no further improvements to the project 
(no action alternative), deepening ocean access and interior channels 
to accommodate larger vessels; deepening the turning circles in the 
west and middle turning basins to accommodate larger vessels; 
increasing the diameter of the west turning basin to accommodate new 
larger cruise ships; deepening the widener to accommodate larger cruise 
ships; and widening interior channels to accommodate larger cruise 
ships.
    e. Issues. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will consider 
impacts on marine resources, protected species, water quality, fish and 
wildlife resources, cultural resources, essential fish habitat, socio-
economics resources, coastal processes, aesthetics and recreation, and 
other impacts identified through scoping, public involvement, and 
agency coordination.
    f. Scoping Process. Based on early coordination, the local sponsor 
determined that an EIS was needed. Scoping meetings were held by the 
local sponsor with Federal agencies. Additional agency meetings will be 
held in the coming months. All parties are invited to participate in 
the scoping process by identifying any additional concerns on issues, 
studies needed, alternatives, procedures, and other matters related to 
the scoping process. At this time, there are no plans for a public 
scoping meeting.
    g. Public Involvement. We invite the participation of affected 
Federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other 
interested private organizations and parties.
    h. Coordination. The proposed action is being coordinated with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the Endangered 
Species Act, with the FWS under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 
and with the State Historic Preservation Officer.
    i. Other Environmental Review and Consultation. The proposed action 
would involve evaluation for compliance with guidelines pursuant to 
Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act; application (to the State of 
Florida) for Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the 
Clean Water Act; certification of state lands, easements, and rights of 
way; Essential Fish Habitat with National Marine Fisheries Service; and 
determination of Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.
    j. Agency Role. The non-Federal sponsor (Canaveral Port Authority) 
will provide extensive information and assistance on the resources to 
be impacted, mitigation measures, and alternatives. The corps will 
provide coordination of the EIS process.
    k. DEIS Preparation. It is estimated that the DEIS will be 
available to the public on or about January 2008.

    Dated: March 7, 2007.
Stuart J. Appelbaum,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 07-1278 Filed 3-15-07; 8:45 am]
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