[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40171-40172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-19230]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Plaquemines Parish, LA, Federal Hurricane Protection Levee

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, Vicksburg District, in 
cooperation with the New Orleans District and the Louisiana Coastal 
Protection and Restoration Authority (the non-Federal sponsor), are 
undertaking studies to develop and evaluate possible alternatives to 
improve the storm damage reduction capability of the Federal levee 
system, Plaquemines Parish, LA.

DATES: Initiate Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 
August 17, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Correspondence may be sent to Mr. Larry Marcy at the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, CEMVK-PP-PQ, 4155 Clay 
Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183-3435.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry Marcy at the U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, Vicksburg District, telephone (601) 631-5965, fax number 
(601) 631-5115, or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Proposed Action. It is the intent of the Vicksburg District to 
prepare an SEIS for the New Orleans to Venice (NOV) Federal Hurricane 
Protection levee. The NOV Federal Hurricane Protection project 
straddles the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, 
between approximate River Miles 59 and 10. On the west bank, it 
includes 37 miles of back levee divided into four reaches (Reaches A, 
B-1, B-2, and St. Jude to City Price) and 34 miles of enlarged west 
bank Mississippi River levees. On the east bank, the project includes 
16 miles of enlarged back levees (Reach C). This project is a Federal 
system designed to provide protection from hurricane tidal overflow in 
the lower Mississippi River delta region.
    The purpose of the SEIS is to identify and evaluate structural and 
nonstructural storm damage reduction alternatives to address hurricane-
related flooding problems in Plaquemines Parish. Additional work is 
needed to restore the Federal levees and floodwalls to the authorized 
level of protection where the levee and floodwalls are below grade due 
to subsidence and/or post-Katrina design changes.
    Alternatives. Alternatives to address flooding problems will be 
identified and evaluated in cooperation with state and Federal 
agencies, local government, and the public.
    Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the range of the 
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the SEIS. A part 
of this analysis will include a letter sent to all parties believed to 
have an interest in the analysis, requesting their input on 
alternatives and issues to be evaluated. The letter will also notify 
interested parties of public scoping meetings that are being held in 
the local area. A meeting notice will be sent to the local news media. 
All interested parties are invited to comment at this time, and anyone 
interested in the study should request to be included on the mailing 
list.
    Two public scoping meetings will be held on Saturday, September 12, 
2009: one meeting will be held at the Woodland Plantation, 21997 
Highway 23, West Point a La Hache, Louisiana,

[[Page 40172]]

from 9 to 11:30 a.m. (open house from 9 until 9:30 a.m., scoping 
meeting to begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.); the second meeting will be 
held at Boothville Elementary School, 1 Oiler Drive, 
Boothville, Louisiana, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. (open house from 3 until 
3:30 p.m., scoping meeting to begin promptly at 3:30).
    Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues to 
be evaluated in the SEIS includes aquatic resources, essential fish 
habitat, fisheries and wildlife resources, wetlands, water quality, air 
quality, threatened or endangered species, recreation resources, and 
cultural resources. Socioeconomic items to be evaluated in the SEIS 
include residential housing and business activity, tax revenues, 
population, community and regional growth, transportation, and 
community cohesion.
    Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (FWS) will be asked to assist in the documentation of existing 
conditions, impact analysis of alternatives, and overall study review 
through the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) consultation 
procedures. The FWS would provide an FWCA report to be incorporated 
into the SEIS. The FWS and National Marine Fisheries Service will be 
asked to be cooperating agencies. The draft SEIS or a Notice of 
Availability will be distributed to all interested agencies, 
organizations, individuals, congressionals, and Indian tribes.
    Estimated Date of Availability. The draft SEIS is expected to be 
available in November 2010.

Daniel A. Johnson,
Acting Chief, Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division.
[FR Doc. E9-19230 Filed 8-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P