[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 40681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14694]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Public Notice of Intent for Studies and Initial Scoping Meeting 
for Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Brazos River Floodgates and Colorado 
River Locks Feasibility Study

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

ACTION: Notice of intent and public scoping meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice provides a summary of the ongoing feasibility 
study activities for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) Brazos River 
Floodgates (BRFG) and Colorado River Locks (CRL) Feasibility Study and 
solicit public input regarding the study. The objective of the 
feasibility study is to investigate and recommend solutions to improve 
traffic safety and navigation efficiencies at the confluence of the 
GIWW with the BRFG and CRL. The GIWW BRFG/CRL Feasibility Study will 
identify and evaluate possible structural and navigation alternatives 
to reduce traffic accidents and navigation delays. The non-Federal 
sponsor for the project is the Texas Department of Transportation 
(TXDOT).

DATES: The Galveston District will hold the Initial Public Scoping 
Meeting for the Feasibility Phase of the study on July 12, 2016 from 
6:00-8:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the West Columbia Civic Center, 
516 E. Brazos Ave. (State Highway 35), West Columbia, TX 77486.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Franchelle Craft, (409) 766-3187.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Study Background. In 2000, the Galveston District completed a 
reconnaissance study to assess the feasibility of modifying the 
configurations of the BRFG and CRL to reduce traffic accidents and 
delays. The study resulted in the determination that there was Federal 
interest in continuing to the feasibility phase of the study. Funding 
for the feasibility phase of the study was approved in Fiscal Year 
2016. Recognizing the hydrologic connectivity of the GIWW system, the 
decision was made to conduct the assessment of the BRFG and CRL 
separately and combine the results into one integrated feasibility 
report.
    Navigation along the GIWW is constrained at the confluence with the 
BRFG and the CRL resulting in the following conditions:
     Inadequate channel and crossing widths for modern vessels;
     Outdated floodgate construction and width in the floodgate 
chambers at the Brazos River;
     Outdated lock construction at the Colorado River leading 
to mechanical failure;
     Shutdown of operations during high water periods 
presenting a significant security concern;
     Increased hydrology (river flows due to flood events) 
impacting navigation traffic;
     Increased operations and maintenance costs to prevent 
marine buildup on mechanical elements of the structures;
     Increased sedimentation at the mouth of the rivers;
     Shoreline erosion.
    The Feasibility Study will assess the conditions identified above 
and develop specific measures/alternatives that can be combined or used 
as standalone actions to address the problems at each location.
    Study Process. During the feasibility phase, detailed engineering, 
hydrology, economic analysis, and environmental studies are performed. 
The goal of the feasibility phase is to find the most cost-effective 
solution that responds to the problems identified above while 
protecting the Nation's environment. The final feasibility report 
documents the study results and findings, the selection process of the 
recommended alternative, and the costs and benefits of the recommended 
plan. The feasibility study ends when the report is submitted to 
Congress for authorization.
    Study Status. The Feasibility study will reevaluate the proposed 
alternatives identified in the 2000 Reconnaissance Study to determine 
the feasibility of undertaking modifications to the Brazos and Colorado 
river crossings, as well as identify changes to the floodgate and lock 
structures at each location that are economically and environmentally 
justified. There is a need to reduce navigation impacts and costly 
waterborne traffic delays that are a result of aging infrastructure and 
inadequate channel dimensions for modern vessels. Alternatives to be 
evaluated in the feasibility phase include:
     Moving the gates away from the river;
     Widening the gates;
     Reconfiguring the guide wall to lessen the angle to the 
GIWW;
     Straightening the crossing at the Brazos and Colorado 
Rivers;
     Lock modifications (construction of new locks);
     Removal of floodgates; and/or;
     Some combination of these and other measures.
    Meeting. The Galveston District will hold the Initial Public 
Scoping Meeting for the Feasibility Phase on July 12, 2016 from 6:00-
8:00 p.m. at the West Columbia Civic Center. The purpose of the meeting 
will be to inform the community about the proposed navigation 
modification project, present how the study will be conducted, solicit 
public input regarding the initial scope of potential issues/
alternatives to be addressed, and identify those issues/alternatives 
that should be analyzed further, or eliminated, based on their 
significance and effects on the environment. The information from the 
public meeting will be used in the development of an Environmental 
Impact Statement in compliance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) requirements. This notice serves as an invitation for the 
public to attend. The public will be provided an opportunity for 
questions and comments.
    We are soliciting comments/concerns on the opportunities to improve 
navigation along the GIWW at the Brazos and Colorado Rivers, the 
identification of resources that may occur within the study area, and 
other social, economic, and environmental concerns.
    All interested parties are invited to provide input to this study. 
Please send your comments or questions regarding this notice or mailing 
list updates to USACE SWG, 2000 Ft. Point Rd., Galveston, TX 77550. 
Written input can also be submitted and is requested by August 11, 
2016. If we can provide further information, contact the project 
manager, Ms. Franchelle Craft, by phone at (409) 766-3187 or by email 
at [email protected].

Eric W. Verwers,
Director, Regional Planning and Environmental Center.
[FR Doc. 2016-14694 Filed 6-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P