[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 62433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24623]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a 
Proposed: 76-Slip Mooring and Launching Facility With Associated Piers, 
Low-Profile Timber Bulkhead, Boat Ramp and Maintenance Dredging Within 
North Bay at 3701 South Sandpiper Road at Sandbridge in Virginia Beach, 
VA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate project alternatives 
and the public interest review factors, as well as the effects on Back 
Bay National Wildlife Refuge for the proposed mooring and launching 
facility.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) can be answered by: 
Melissa Nash, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, 803 Front 
Street, Norfolk, VA 23510, (757) 201-7489 or email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Proposed Action: Mr. Kenneth Douglas 
Wilkins is proposing the removal and reconstruction of an existing pier 
and twelve commercial (12) mooring slips to be used by the existing 
eco-tourism and rental operation; the proposed construction of sixty-
four (64) new members-only slips with associated piers; construction of 
a boat ramp; installation of a non-backfilled bulkhead; as well as 
maintenance and new dredging at property located at 3701 South 
Sandpiper Road in the Sandbridge community of Virginia Beach, VA. In 
2008, the Corps issued an Individual Permit for this facility under 
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and Section 10 of 
the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403). Before the 
applicant began constructing the facility the permit was challenged in 
the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, which 
awarded summary judgment to the Corps and upheld the permit decision. 
However, the decision was appealed. In Friends of Back Bay v. U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, 681 F.3d 581 (4th Cir. 2012), the Fourth Circuit 
remanded this action to the Corps for the preparation of an EIS 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The applicant 
will be seeking a permit from the Corps for the originally proposed 
facility.
    2. Alternatives: Alternatives which will be investigated include, 
but will not be limited to alternate onsite layouts, a combination of 
alternatives, and the no project alternative.
    3. Scoping Process: An interagency scoping meeting will be held 
with State and federal agencies on October 22, 2014, and formal scoping 
comments will be requested by November 21, 2014. The significant issues 
identified thus far include potential impacts Back Bay National 
Wildlife Refuge, submerged aquatic vegetation and water quality.
    4. Public Scoping Meeting: A Public Notice was issued on October 8, 
2014 to inform the public about the Public Scoping meeting to be held 
on November 6, 2014. The Corps will use the comments received to assist 
in identifying the significant issues, which should be addressed in the 
DEIS.
    5. DEIS Availability: The Corps estimates that the DEIS will be 
available to the public for review and comment around the end of 2015.

    Dated: October 7, 2014.
Paul B. Olsen,
Colonel, U.S. Army, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2014-24623 Filed 10-16-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P