[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37518-37519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3287]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Availability of Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
for Atlantic Coast of Maryland Shoreline Protection Project--General 
Reevaluation Study: Borrow Sources for 2010-2044, Worcester County, MD

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Baltimore District, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers (USACE), has prepared a Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Atlantic Coast of 
Maryland Shoreline Protection Project (Atlantic Coast Project) 
evaluating new borrow sources to provide sand for routine periodic 
beach nourishment of Ocean City, MD for the years 2010-2044. Existing 
borrow sources in state waters are anticipated to be exhausted in about 
2010.
    Between 6,800,000 and 15,000,000 cubic yards of sand would be 
needed through 2044, depending on future storm frequency and intensity. 
Three offshore shoals in Federal waters are proposed as sand sources: 
Weaver, Isle of Wight, and ``A.'' Sand may also be dredged from Shoal 
``B,'' also known as Bass Grounds or First Lump, in the future, but 
only if its value as a fishing ground declines substantially. 
Guidelines to minimize long-term impacts to the offshore shoals were 
formulated in coordination with resource agency personnel and academic 
experts. Dredging would be conducted in accordance with these 
guidelines. Specific dredging plans would be developed in coordination 
with resource agencies prior to each beach nourishment cycle. We are 
making the Draft SEIS available to the public for a 45-day review and 
comment period.

DATES: Comments need to be received on or before August 28th, 2007, to 
ensure consideration in final plan development. A public meeting will 
be held for the Draft SEIS Document at Ocean City Town Hall, 301 
Baltimore Avenue, on July 25th, 2007. A presentation will be given at 7 
PM; displays will be available for viewing and staff on hand to answer 
questions beginning at 6 PM.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning this proposed project to 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Attn: Mr. Christopher 
Spaur, CENAB-PL-P, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715. Submit 
electronic comments to [email protected]. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for additional information about 
sending written comments and filing electronic comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Christopher Spaur, (410) 962-6134 
or (800) 295-1610.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic Coast Project is designed to 
provide coastal flood and erosion protection to Ocean City, MD against 
a 100-year storm on the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Coast of Maryland 
and Assateague Island Virginia Feasibility Report and Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the project was finalized in August 
1980. Subsequent environmental documents were prepared for the project 
in 1989 (Atlantic Coast of Maryland Hurricane Protection Project Final 
General Design Memorandum, Book 1 Main Report and Environmental 
Assessment) and 1993 (Environmental Assessment for the Use of Borrow 
Area No. 9 as Part of the Periodic Renourishment and Maintenance of the 
Atlantic Coast of

[[Page 37519]]

Maryland Shoreline Protection Project). The project was completed in 
1994. Periodic nourishment and maintenance of the beach are required to 
maintain the design level of protection. Since 1998, a period of few 
severe storms, approximately 800,000 cubic yards of sand have been 
placed on Ocean City beach every four years. Identified sand sources in 
state waters are forecast to be exhausted after about 2010.
    This SEIS documents findings of investigations conducted from 2001 
through 2006 to select new borrow sources for the Atlantic Coast 
Project through the remainder of the project's 50 year economic life. 
Studies to develop the borrow plan were conducted by the USACE, in 
partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), 
Ocean City, and Minerals Management Service (MMS). DNR is the cost-
sharing non-Federal sponsor of the study with USACE; MMS is a 
cooperating agency. A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a General 
Reevaluation Report and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement was 
published in the Federal Register on October 21, 2003 (68 FR 60095). 
Coordination with resource agency personnel, academic experts, and 
fishermen was undertaken during plan formulation.
    Offshore shoals are the most appropriate sand sources for the 
project since these contain large quantities of suitable sand that can 
be cost-effectively obtained. Offshore shoal borrow sources in Federal 
waters that could provide up to 15,000,000 cubic yards of sand through 
2044 were sought and identified. Three offshore shoals were selected 
and proposed as sand sources based on engineering, environmental, and 
economic screening criteria: Weaver, Isle of Wight, and ``A.'' Sand at 
Shoal ``B,'' also known as Bass Grounds or First Lump is engineeringly 
and economically suitable, however that shoal is currently an important 
fishing ground. Accordingly, Shoal ``B'' would not be utilized unless 
future reevaluation finds that its relative value as a fishing ground 
has declined substantially. Sub-areas on each shoal were delineated 
based on suitability of sand for beach nourishment purposes.
    Dredging guidelines to minimize long-term impacts to the offshore 
shoals were formulated. No more than about 5% of the total volume of 
any shoal would be dredged. Dredging on any given shoal would avoid the 
crest, be conducted uniformly over a wide area, go no deeper than 
ambient seafloor depths, and preferentially dredge on the up and 
downdrift ends of the shoal if suitable sand is present there.
    This SEIS documents the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
compliance for the proposed new offshore shoal borrow sources and 
supplements previous environmental documents. Printed and electronic 
copies of the Draft SEIS can be obtained from Christopher Spaur; copies 
will also be available at the public meeting. You may view the Draft 
SEIS and related information on the worldwide web at: http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/PN/CivilWorks.htm.
    Please include your name and address with your comments. Electronic 
comments on the Draft SEIS must be contained in the body of the 
message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and 
address in your message. After the public comment period ends, USACE 
will consider all comments received. The Draft SEIS will be revised as 
appropriate and a Final SEIS will be issued.
    The Draft SEIS has been prepared in accordance with (1) The 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality 
for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508), and (3) USACE regulations for implementing NEPA (ER-200-2-2).

Christopher C. Spaur,
Ecologist, Planning Division, Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers.
[FR Doc. 07-3287 Filed 7-9-07; 8:45 am]
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