[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 77393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9853]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Wilmington Harbor--96 Act, Dredged Material Management Plan, New 
Hanover and Brunswick Counties, NC

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Wilmington District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 
is conducting a study to evaluate the long-term (20-year) dredged 
material placement needs and opportunities for Wilmington Harbor. The 
study area encompasses Wilmington Harbor and the Ocean Bar approach 
channels, which extend from the mouth of the Cape Fear River in 
Brunswick County, NC to a point just north of the Hilton Railroad 
Bridge in New Hanover County, near Wilmington, NC. The study will 
include the preparation of a Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) 
and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and will identify, 
evaluate, screen, prioritize, and ultimately optimize placement 
alternatives resulting in the recommendation of a plan for the 
placement of dredged materials for at least the next 20 years.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the DMMP and DEIS 
should be directed to: Ms. Jenny Owens; Environmental Resources 
Section; U.S. Army Engineer District, Wilmington; Post Office Box 1890; 
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890; telephone: (910) 251-4757.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USACE, Engineering Regulation (ER) 1105-
2-100 mandates that the Corps Districts develop DMMP plans for all 
Federal navigation projects where there is an indication of 
insufficient capacity to accommodate maintenance dredging for the next 
20 years. The ER further states that the Districts should consider 
options that provide opportunities for beneficial uses of dredged 
material. The DMMP process began with a Preliminary Assessment (PA) 
that was completed in February 1997. The PA identified dredged material 
placement shortfalls for Wilmington Harbor and recommended the 
development of a DMMP.
    Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended, options for dredged material management will be based on an 
evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activity on the 
public interest. The decision will reflect the national concern for the 
protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit, which 
may reasonably be expected to accrue from the proposal, will be 
balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors 
that may be relevant to the proposal will be considered, including 
wetlands; fish and wildlife resources; cultural resources; land use; 
water and air quality; hazardous, toxic, and radioactive substances; 
threatened and endangered species; regional geology; aesthetics; 
environmental justice; and the general needs and welfare of the public.
    The alternatives currently being considered for the DMMP include, 
but are not limited to: offshore disposal in the EPA designated Ocean 
Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS), beach disposal, upland disposal 
at Eagle Island, dike restoration and wetland creation at existing 
islands in the Harbor and establishment of sand recycling islands. 
Additional beneficial uses will also be investigated for the DMMP. The 
DEIS will address measures, alternatives and impacts to the selected or 
preferred alternative(s).
    All private parties and Federal, State, and local agencies having 
an interest in the study are hereby notified of the intent to prepare a 
DEIS and are invited to comment at this time. A scoping meeting was 
held on December 8, 2005 and all comments received as a result of the 
scoping meeting and this notice of intent will be considered in the 
preparation of the DMMP and DEIS.
    The lead agency for this project is the U.S. Army Engineer 
District, Wilmington. Cooperating agency status has not been assigned 
to, nor requested by, any other agency.
    The DEIS is being prepared in accordance with the requirements of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and will 
address the relationship of the proposed action to all other applicable 
Federal and State Laws and Executive Orders.
    The DMMP and DEIS is currently scheduled to be available in October 
2007.

    Dated: December 6, 2006.
John E. Pulliam, Jr.,
Colonel, EN, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 06-9853 Filed 12-22-06; 8:45 am]
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