[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 38 (Friday, February 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8920-8921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4202]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Southwest Coastal Louisiana Feasibility Study
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Corps of Engineers (Corps) intends to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Southwest Coastal
Louisiana Feasibility Study for Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermilion
Parishes, Louisiana. The Corps will evaluate a full suite of
structural, nonstructural and coastal restoration measures to achieve
hurricane protection and storm damage risk reduction within Calcasieu,
Cameron and Vermilion Parishes in Louisiana. Southwestern Louisiana has
been affected by several named storms in the past 50 years. The study
area, which is characterized by low, flat terrain, is highly
susceptible to flooding from tidal surges associated with hurricanes
and tropical storms due to its close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricanes that caused damage include Audrey (1957), Arlene (1959),
Debra (1978), Chris (1982), Danny (1985), Juan (1985), Bonnie (1986),
Allison (1989), Chantal (1989), Francis (1998), Hermine (1998), Allison
(2001), Bertha (2002), Lili (2002), Rita (2005), Gustav (2008) and Ike
(2008). As the ground elevation subsides relative to the levels of the
Gulf of Mexico, the depth of potential flooding in the future will
increase along with an increase in damages to the human and natural
environments. Wetlands in the study area are affected by relative sea
level rise, subsidence, tides and storm surge created by tropical
storms and hurricanes, saltwater intrusion and ponding and reduced
organic production. These conditions would continue at an increased
rate as the mass of coastal land decreases.
DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for scoping meeting dates.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) should be addressed to Ms. Sandra
Stiles at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CEMVNPM-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New
Orleans, LA 70160-0267, phone (504) 862-1583, fax number (504) 862-2088
or by e-mail at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S.
House of Representatives, Resolution Docket 2747, Southwest Coastal
Louisiana, LA authorized the Secretary of the Army in accordance with
section 110 of the River and Harbor Act of 1962, to survey the coast of
Louisiana in Cameron, Calcasieu and Vermilion Parishes with particular
reference to the advisability of providing hurricane protection and
storm damage reduction and related purposes to include the feasibility
of constructing an armored 12 foot levee along the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway.
2. Proposed Action. The Corps will develop hurricane protection,
storm damage risk reduction and coastal restoration measures for
Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermilion Parishes to include: (1) Levee
alignments to provide hurricane protection and reduce damages from
storm surge; (2) restoring natural ecosystem features, such as
Cheniers, to reduce damages from storm surge; (3) measures protecting,
restoring or increasing wetlands to prevent saltwater intrusion or
reduce storm surge; (4) measures reducing risk of storm damage to
communities by preventing or reducing wetland losses in areas affected
by navigation, oil and gas and other manmade channels; (5) creation of
barrier islands to serve as the first line of defense against storms
and reduce storm surge; (6) nonstructural measures such as raising
structures in-place, relocating structures, buyouts, flood proofing and
policy development.
3. Alternatives. Hurricane protection and surge reduction measures
being considered include multi-parish levee alignments, ring levees,
ridges, and breakwaters to provide multiple lines of defense. Coastal
restoration measures being considered include restoration of Cheniers,
creation of barrier islands, large-scale marsh creation and
restoration, salinity control, hydrologic restoration, and restoration
of natural features to prevent/reduce storm surge. Non-structural
measures include raising structures in-place, property buyouts,
relocations of residents and communities, flood-proofing and hardening
of infrastructure. Once hurricane protection, storm surge risk
reduction and coastal restoration measures are identified, alternative
plans will be developed through various combinations of measures that
best meet the study goals and objectives and are determined to be cost-
effective, environmentally acceptable and technically feasible.
3. Public Involvement. Stakeholder and public involvement for this
proposed action is integral to the project. Interested parties,
concerned citizens, and other State and Federal agencies, private and
not for profit or non-governmental organizations are strongly
encouraged to participate in the development of the proposed action.
Stakeholder and public meetings would be held throughout project
development. Meeting announcements would be made as information becomes
available.
4. Public Scoping Meeting. Scoping is the process utilized for
determining the range of alternatives and significant issues to be
addressed in the EIS. For this study, a letter will be mailed to all
parties believed to have an interest in the analysis. The letter will
notify interested parties of public scoping meetings that will be held
in the local
[[Page 8921]]
area and request their input on alternatives and issues to be
evaluated. Notices will also be mailed to local news media. All
interested parties are invited to comment at this time, and anyone
interested in this study should request inclusion in the study mailing
list. A public scoping meeting will be held March 24, 2009 from 6-9
p.m. in Cameron, Louisiana, March 25, 2009 from 6-9 p.m. in Lake
Charles, Louisiana and March 26, 2009 from 6-9 p.m. in Abbeville, LA.
The exact location and address for the meetings will be announced
through local media channels. Additional meetings could be held,
depending upon public interest and if it is determined that further
public coordination is warranted.
5. Significant Issues. Tentatively, the important resources and
issues that would be evaluated in the EIS include but are not limited
to tidal wetlands (marshes and swamps), aquatic resources, commercial
and recreational fisheries, wildlife resources, essential fish habitat,
water quality, air quality, threatened and endangered species and
critical habitat, recreation resources, and cultural resources.
Socioeconomic items to be evaluated in the EIS include navigation;
flood protection; business and industrial activity; oil and gas
pipelines; employment; land use; property values; public/community
facilities and services; tax revenues; population, community and
regional growth; transportation; housing; community cohesion;
environmental justice, aesthetics and noise.
6. Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) will assist in documenting existing conditions
and assessing effects of project alternatives through the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act consultation procedures. The USFWS will
provide a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report. Consultation will
be accomplished with the USFWS and the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) concerning threatened and endangered species and their
critical habitat. The NMFS will be consulted regarding the effects of
this proposed action on Essential Fish Habitat. The draft EIS or a
notice of its availability will be distributed to all interested
agencies, organizations, and individuals.
7. Estimated Date of Availability. The earliest that the DEIS is
expected to be available is March of 2010.
Dated: February 18, 2009.
Alvin B. Lee,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. E9-4202 Filed 2-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P