[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 115 (Friday, June 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33807-33808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13339]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement/Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Sacramento 
River Deep Water Ship Channel, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, (Corps) in 
coordination with the Port of Sacramento is preparing a draft 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement /Subsequent Environmental 
Impact Report (SEIS/SEIR) to evaluate the action of resuming 
construction of navigational improvements to the Sacramento River Deep 
Water Ship Channel (SRDWSC). The SRDWSC runs from the Contra Costa 
county line to the Port of Sacramento. Construction was initiated in 
1989, but work was suspended in 1990 after deepening a portion of the 
channel to the authorized depth of 35 feet. The proposed action 
involves deepening the existing Federal navigation channel from 30 feet 
to 35 feet (mean lower low water) and widening portions of the channel 
to improve navigational efficiency for movement of goods and safety. 
The SRDWSC project was originally authorized by the River and Harbors 
Act of 1946 , Public Law 525, 79th Congress, 2nd Session, and 
reauthorized under Section 202(a) of the Water Resources and 
Development Act of 1986, Public Law 99-662, 100 Stat. 4092. This is a 
notice of intent to prepare an SEIS/SEIR, and to consider alternatives, 
evaluate potential impacts of the proposed action, and identify 
appropriate mitigation measures.

DATES: A public meeting will be held in West Sacramento on Monday, 
June, 30, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public comment period begins 
on June 16, 2008. Written comments must be received by July 22, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the West Sacramento City Hall, 
1110 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento, CA 95691.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions and comments regarding the 
proposed action can be addressed to: Attn.: Bill Brostoff, ET-PA, U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, 1455 Market Street, 
San Francisco, CA 94103-1398; telephone (415) 503-6867; or 
[email protected]. Written comments can also be faxed to (415) 
503-6692 or sent electronically to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Background. The SRDWSC is located in the Sacramento--San Joaquin 
Delta region of northern California. The 46.5-mile long ship channel 
lies within Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, and Yolo Counties and 
serves the marine terminal facilities at the Port of Sacramento. The 
SRDWSC joins the existing 35-foot deep channel at New York Slough, 
thereby affording the Port

[[Page 33808]]

of Sacramento access to San Francisco Bay Area harbors and the Pacific 
Ocean. This navigational improvement project was analyzed in the 
Feasibility Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement (1980), the 
General Design Memorandum and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (1986), and Environmental Assessments (1988, 1991, 1992). 
Navigational improvements to the SRDWSC were authorized in the 
Supplemental Appropriations of 1985, Public Law 99-88. Construction to 
deepen the existing channel to 35 feet was initiated in 1989, but work 
was suspended in 1990 at the request of the Port of Sacramento. Two of 
six construction contracts, from River Mile 43 to 35 (approximately 
eight miles near the Port of Sacramento), have been completed. The 
Corps was directed to prepare a reevaluation report in a Conference 
Report, H. Rept. 105-749, 105th Congress, 2nd Sess., 1998, by the 
Committee of Conference that resolved differences between the House and 
Senate versions of the bill that became the Energy and Water 
Appropriations Act of 1999.
    2. Proposed Action. The proposed project would complete the 
deepening and widening of the navigation channel to its authorized 
depth of 35 feet. Deepening of the existing ship channel is anticipated 
to allow for movement of cargo via larger deeper draft vessels. 
Widening portions of the channel would increase navigational safety by 
increasing maneuverability.
    3. Project Alternatives. Alternatives that are anticipated to be 
evaluated in this SEIS/SEIR include, but are not limited to, the 
following: (A) No action alternative. (B) Increased use of lighter 
aboard ship (LASH); lighters (barges) would be used to transport cargo 
from ports in shallow water to larger ocean going vessels birthed in 
deeper water. (C) Increased use of intermodal transportation; cargo 
would be loaded at other terminal facilities and transported by truck 
or railroad, and (D) project depths shallower than 35 feet.
    4. Environmental Considerations. The SEIS/SEIR will update the 1980 
EIS and the 1986 SEIS and will evaluate changes to project conditions. 
The SEIS/SEIR will determine if there are significant new issues, 
information, or environmental concerns bearing on the proposed project 
and alternatives. The SEIS/SEIR being prepared will reexamine water and 
air quality issues, fish and wildlife impacts, and effects to 
endangered or threatened species; potential impacts from dredging and 
placement of dredged material at upland disposal sites; and the 
potential impact of deepening on salinity intrusion in the Delta. 
Additionally, the economic benefits of the proposed project and 
alternatives will be examined.
    5. Scoping Process. The Corps is seeking participation and input of 
all interested federal, state, and local agencies, Native American 
groups, and other concerned private organizations or individuals on the 
scope of the draft SEIS/SEIR through this public notice. The purpose of 
the public scoping meeting is to solicit comments regarding the 
potential impacts, environmental issues, and alternatives associated 
with the proposed action to be considered in the draft SEIS/SEIR. The 
meeting place, date and time will be advertised in advance in local 
newspapers, and meeting announcement letters will be sent to interested 
parties. The draft SEIS/SEIR will be available for public review and 
comment in May 2009. The final SEIS/SEIR will be available for review 
in October 2009.
    6. Availability of SEIS/SEIR. The public will have an additional 
opportunity to comment on project alternatives once the draft SEIS/SEIR 
is released. The Corps will announce availability of the draft SEIS/
SEIR in the Federal Register and other media, and will provide a 45-day 
public review period for the public, organizations, and agencies to 
review and comment on the SEIS/SEIR. All submitted comments will be 
addressed in the final SEIS/SEIR.

Craig W. Kiley,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Commanding.
[FR Doc. E8-13339 Filed 6-12-08; 8:45 am]
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