[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33166]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Port 
of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Project, Los Angeles County, CA

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Los Angeles District intends to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to support a cost-shared feasibility study with 
the Port of Long Beach, California, for navigation improvements to 
existing navigation channels within the Port. The purpose of the 
feasibility study is to provide safe, reliable, and efficient 
waterborne transportation improvements to the Port of Long Beach. The 
EIS will analyze potential impacts of the recommended plan and a range 
of alternatives for navigation improvements. Alternatives will include 
both structural and non-structural measures.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your concerns in writing to the Los Angeles 
District at the address below. Comments, suggestions, and requests to 
be placed on the mailing list for announcements should be sent to Larry 
Smith, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, 915 Wilshire 
Boulevard, Suite 930, Los Angeles, CA 90017-3401, or email to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Mr. 
Larry Smith, Project Environmental Coordinator, (213) 452-3846.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authorization: Resolution of the Senate 
Committee on Public Works adopted 11 May 1967 and the Resolution of the 
House Committee on Public Works adopted 10 July 1968. The Army Corps of 
Engineers intends to prepare an EIS to assess the environmental effects 
associated with proposed navigation improvements measures in the study 
area.
    Study Area: The Port of Long Beach is on the coast of southern 
California in San Pedro Bay, approximately 20 miles south of downtown 
Los Angeles, California. The communities of San Pedro and Wilmington 
are to the west and northwest of San Pedro Bay, respectively, and to 
the northeast the city of Long Beach. The study area includes the 
waters in the immediate vicinity (and shoreward) of the breakwaters 
through the entire Port of Long Beach and the downstream reaches of the 
Los Angeles River that have direct impact on the Bay, including Outer 
Harbor, Inner Harbor, Cerritos Channel, West Basin, and the Back 
Channel.
    Problems and Needs: The primary problem is the inefficient 
operation of deep draft vessels in secondary channels, which increases 
the Nation's transportation costs. This study will address 
inefficiencies to container movements only. The following problem 
statements summarize these inefficiencies.
    (1) Due to depth limitations along channels accessing the Port's 
container terminals, existing container vessels cannot load to their 
maximum draft, which is causing light-loading of vessels at the point 
of origin and delays to an increasing number of containerships.
    (2) The dimensions of the world-wide fleet of container vessels 
have increased significantly, and it is anticipated that this trend 
will continue into the future. Delays and light-loading due to 
container vessel draft limits will increase as new, larger vessels are 
added to the fleet.
    (3) There are diminished recreation opportunities and environmental 
degradation in coastal areas outside of the study area.
    Proposed Action and Alternatives: The Los Angeles District will 
investigate and evaluate all reasonable alternatives to address the 
problems and needs identified above. In addition to the NO ACTION 
alternative, both structural (deepen the secondary access channel to 
Pier J, deepen the secondary access channel to Pier T West Basin, 
construct a turning basin in the secondary access channel to Pier J, 
construct a turning basin in the secondary access channel to Pier T 
West Basin, deepen the approach channel, or deepen the anchorage along 
the main channel, beneficial use of dredged material for recreation or 
ecosystem restoration) and non-structural (high tide riding, light 
loading, and vessel re-routing) measures will be investigated.
    Previous Actions: Port of Long Beach Main Channel Deepening 
Project, Pier T Marine Terminal, Middle Harbor Redevelopment.
    Scoping: The scoping process is ongoing and has involved 
preliminary coordination with Federal, State, and local agencies. A 
public scoping meeting is scheduled on 19 January 2016, from 2:00 to 
4:00 p.m. at the Port of Long Beach Harbor Department Interim 
Administrative Offices; 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, 
California. The public will have an opportunity to express opinions and 
raise any issues relating to the scope of the Feasibility Study and the 
EIS. The public as well as Federal, State, and local agencies are 
encouraged to participate by submitting data, information, and comments 
identifying relevant environmental and socioeconomic issues to be 
addressed in the study. Useful information includes other environmental 
studies, published and unpublished data, alternatives that could be 
addressed in the analysis, and potential mitigation measures associated 
with the proposed action. All comments enter into the public record.
    Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS is scheduled to be 
published and circulated in late 2016, and a public hearing to receive 
comments on the Draft EIS will be held after it is published.

    Dated: December 29, 2015.
Dennis P. Sugrue,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Acting Commander and Acting District 
Engineer.
[FR Doc. 2015-33166 Filed 1-4-16; 8:45 am]
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