[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 52 (Friday, March 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16417-16418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05480]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Tampa 
Harbor Navigation Improvement Study, Hillsborough County, Florida

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

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for a General Reevaluation Report of navigation improvements 
at Port Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(USACE), Jacksonville District, announces its intent to prepare an 
Integrated General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) to examine navigation improvements to the existing 
Tampa Harbor Federal Navigation Project. The purpose of the study is to 
determine the need and feasibility of deepening and/or widening the 
current Tampa Harbor federal navigation channel to improve vessel 
capacity, efficiency, and safety. Comments are being sought regarding 
identification of potential alternatives, information, and analysis 
relevant to the study for improving navigation, beneficial use of 
dredge material, and analyses to support evaluation of effects on the 
human environment and will be accepted at any time during the EIS 
process.

DATES: Written comments and suggestions must be submitted by May 16, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: To ensure the USACE has sufficient time to consider public 
input in the preparation of the Draft EIS, scoping comments should be 
submitted to Mr. Michael Ornella II by email at 
[email protected]; or by surface mail to U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Planning and Policy Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 
4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Ornella II, at 904-232-1498 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: USACE participation in this study is authorized by 
Section 3052 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. The non-
Federal sponsor for the study is Port Tampa Bay. The study was 
initiated at the request of Port Tampa Bay. The study is being cost-
shared 65-percent Federal and 35-percent non-Federal with Port Tampa 
Bay.
    Proposed Action: This study will consider navigation improvements 
including deepening and/or widening the federal navigation project. The 
main stem of Tampa Harbor is currently authorized at -43 feet Mean 
Lower Low Water (MLLW). Big Bend and Cut D (Hillsborough Bay) channels 
are authorized at -41 feet MLLW, and the upper channels are authorized 
at -34 feet MLLW. The channel varies in width from 500 feet in the main 
stem to 300 feet in the upper channels, with some channel cuts limited 
to 200 or 250 feet.
    Alternatives: The study will identify, evaluate, and recommend to 
decision makers an appropriate, coordinated, and workable solution to 
the navigation inefficiencies at Tampa Harbor. Alternatives will 
include no action, and alternatives that include one or more of the 
following measures: incremental deepening and the resulting widening 
from 44 feet to 54 feet, incremental passing lanes up to 300 feet in 
width at Cut B and Gadsden Cut, adjustments to improve maneuverability 
in turning basins, widening and extension of Big Bend Channel, and 
channel intersection and widener improvements throughout the harbor. 
The study will evaluate numerous dredged material placement 
alternatives including beneficial use, open water placement, and upland 
placement. Dredged material that is sandy is expected to be suitable 
for placement on Egmont Key or other

[[Page 16418]]

beneficial use sites identified in Tampa Harbor. Rocky material is 
likely to be utilized for hardbottom creation and expansion of existing 
artificial reefs next to the channel. Additional beneficial use options 
are being determined and analyzed for other dredge material types and 
include island creation/enhancement at Alafia Bank Sanctuary, MacDill 
Air Force Base shoreline enhancement, and beach nourishment on Ft. 
Desoto Beach.
    Significant Issues: Impacts are expected to be short-term and 
temporary in nature, including short-term disturbance to hardbottom and 
creation of new hardbottom habitat adjacent to the channel edge, short-
term turbidity at the dredge and placement sites, temporary noise 
impacts to fish and wildlife resources, impacts to swimming sea turtles 
during dredging operations, impacts to nesting sea turtles during 
material placement and long-term benefits from beach nourishment, and 
disruption of recreation and navigation during dredging and placement 
activities.
    However, due to the volume of material expected to be dredged--up 
to 40 million cubic yards--and the likely beneficial use of a majority 
of that material, possibly to restore Egmont Key, an EIS is being 
proposed.
    Public Involvement and Scoping: A scoping letter was sent November 
1, 2021, to invite comments from Federal, State, and local agencies, 
affected Indian tribes, and other interested private organizations and 
individuals. USACE hosted two (2) virtual NEPA scoping meetings on 
November 18, 2021. USACE received comments from agencies, 
organizations, and individuals in favor of the project and requesting 
additional information on concerns over the impacts to property, flood 
hazards, and wildlife. USACE addressed the comments, both at the 
meeting and in email. Due to the scale of effects, the USACE is 
inviting additional comments with this Notice of Intent.
    Environmental Review and Consultation Requirements: The proposed 
project is subject to review pursuant to (but not limited to) the 
Coastal Zone Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife 
Coordination Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Clean Water Act, Marine Protection, 
Research, and Sanctuaries Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and 
NEPA.
    Project Schedule: The Draft Integrated General Reevaluation Report 
and Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be available for 
public review in July of 2023. A 45-day public review period will be 
provided for interested parties and agencies to review and comment on 
this draft document. All interested parties are encouraged to respond 
to this notice and provide a current address if they wish to be 
notified of the Draft EIS circulation. A Record of Decision would be 
approved and signed no earlier than 30 days after the Final EIS.

Daniel H. Hibner,
Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2023-05480 Filed 3-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P