[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 149 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 43251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3817]



[[Page 43251]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Improvements to the Freeport Harbor Navigation Project, Brazoria 
County, TX

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, Galveston District, is 
issuing this notice to announce its intent to prepare a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), for the proposed deepening and 
widening of the deep-draft Freeport Harbor Navigation Project, 
connecting port facilities in Freeport to the Gulf of Mexico. The 
District will conduct a study to evaluate deepening and widening 
alternatives, and dredged material disposal options, which will include 
both upland confined disposal and ocean disposal at designated sites in 
the Gulf of Mexico.
    The Freeport Harbor Navigation Project study area is located on the 
mid to upper Texas coast in Brazoria County, TX, extending from 
approximately 3 miles offshore at the 60-foot depth contour in the Gulf 
of Mexico, through the jettied Freeport Harbor entrance channel 
upstream to the Stauffer Channel Turing Basin. Depths and widths of up 
to 60-feet and 600-feet respectively are being considered from seaward, 
along with varying dimensions for upstream reaches and basins. The non-
federal sponsor is the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, P.O. Box 
1229, Galveston, TX 77553-1229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Bragg, Project Manager--
Project Management Branch, (409) 766-3979; or Mr. George Dabney, 
Environmental Lead--Planning and Environmental Branch, (409) 766-6345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The existing navigation project, completed 
in 1996, is approximately 8.6 miles in length. The project's primary 
reaches and basins include a 47-foot deep, 400-foot wide entrance 
channel; a 45-foot deep, 400-foot wide main channel; 45-foot deep 
turning basins (with 750, 1,000 and 1,200-foot diameters); and a 36-
foot deep, 750-foot diameter Brazos Harbor Turning Basin. The existing 
project encompasses numerous industrial and shipping facilities, 
located in or adjacent to the Port of Freeport, TX. The non-federal 
sponsor, the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District, seeks to increase 
navigation safety and efficiency, and to enhance its competitiveness by 
improving the existing project to attract larger, deeper draft vessels 
including LNG tankers, crude carriers and container ships.
    To explore the feasibility of proposed project improvements, the 
non-federal sponsor has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Galveston District, to conduct a feasibility study for 
determining optimum depths and widths necessary to safely accommodate 
current and projected navigation needs. Section 216 of the Flood 
Control Act of 1970, Public Law 91-611, authorizes the proposed 
deepening and widening improvements of the existing navigation project.
    Project alternatives under evaluation include maintaining primary 
channel reaches at their existing dimensions (No Action Alternative), 
or, deepening and widening reaches to either 60 x 540 feet or 55 x 600 
feet respectively. The remaining project reaches and basins will be 
deepened, widened or expanded to compatible dimensions.
    The scoping process for public input will involve Federal, State, 
and local agencies, along with other interested parties and entities. 
Coordination with natural resources and environmental agencies will be 
conducted under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Endangered 
Species Act, Clear Water Act, Clean Air Act, National Historic 
Preservation Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act, and the Coastal Zone Management Act. Public scoping meetings will 
also be held to discuss environmental issues associated with proposed 
channel improvements.
    Issues to be considered during the public review and input process 
include: water and sediment quality, air and noise quality, hazardous, 
toxic and radiological waste, dredged material disposal, economics, 
threatened and endangered species, wetlands, historic properties, 
aesthetics, recreation, cumulative impacts, impact mitigation for 
natural resources, and other issues affecting public health and 
welfare. Any person or organization wishing to provide information on 
issues or concerns should contact the Galveston District Corps of 
Engineers at (see ADDRESSES).
    It is estimated the DEIS will be available for public review and 
comment in April 2008.

Richard Medina,
Chief, Planning and Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 07-3817 Filed 8-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-52-M