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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 170 (Friday, September 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 52368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17496]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 
Construction of the Following Features of the Mississippi River and 
Tributaries--Morganza, LA to the Gulf of Mexico Project (MtoG): Houma 
Navigation Canal (HNC) Lock Complex and Associated Structures, in 
Terrebonne Parish in the Vicinity of Dulac, LA to Include Levee Reach 
G1, HNC Lock Access Road, HNC Closure Dam, HNC Lock and Floodgate 
Complex, Levee Reach F1, Bayou Grand Caillou Structure, and the Sand 
Sources for these Levee Reaches

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, 
New Orleans District, is initiating this study under the authority of 
the Energy and Water Development Appropriation Act for Fiscal Year 2002 
(Pub. L. 107-66) to determine the environmental impacts of the Houma 
Navigation Canal (HNC) lock complex and associated structures. The 
reconnaissance study for the Mississippi River & Tributaries--Morganza, 
Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico hurricane protection project (MtoG) was 
authorized by a resolution adopted April 30, 1992, by the Committee of 
Public Works and Transportation of the U.S. House of Representatives. 
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1996 authorized the Corps 
to conduct an independent study of a lock to be located in the HNC. 
That study was completed in 1997. In 1998, Congress authorized the 
Corps to initiate detailed design of the multipurpose lock in the HNC. 
A Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FPEIS) entitled 
``Mississippi River & Tributaries--Morganza, Louisiana to the Gulf of 
Mexico Hurricane Protection'' went to the public in March 2002. A 
Record of Decision has not been signed for this FPEIS. The MtoG entered 
the design phase following approval by the Mississippi River Commission 
and the execution of a design agreement in May 2002. The lock complex 
and associated structures on the HNC are part of the larger MtoG 
project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) should be addressed to Mr. Nathan 
Dayan at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, PM-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New 
Orleans, LA 70160-0267, phone (504) 862-2030, fax number (504) 862-2572 
or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Proposed Action. The proposed action would include (1) The 
construction of a gated lock and floodgate complex built in a bypass 
channel adjacent to the HNC, (2) the building of closure dam on the 
HNC, (3) the construction of MtoG hurricane protection levee reach G1, 
(4) the building of HNC lock access road, (5) the building of MtoG 
hurricane protection levee reach F1, (6) the construction of Bayou 
Grand Caillou structure, and (7) identification of the sand sources for 
construction activity.
    The material dredged for the construction and maintenance of the 
channels would be used for wetlands restoration and construction, to 
the extent practicable. Economic and environmental analysis would be 
used to determine the most practical plan, which would provide for the 
greatest overall public benefit.
    2. Alternatives. Alternatives recommended for consideration 
presently include the construction of the HNC lock complex and 
associated structures as described in the MtoG programmatic FEIS. 
Additionally, various levee alignments, as well as structure locations, 
depth, and sizes will be investigated.
    3. Scoping. Scoping is the process for determining the scope of 
alternatives and significant issues to be addressed in the EIS. A 
letter will be sent to all parties believed to have an interest in the 
analysis. The letter will also notify interested parties of public 
scoping meetings that will be held in the local area and request their 
input on alternatives and issues to be evaluated. Notices will also be 
sent to local news media. All interested parties are invited to comment 
at this time, and anyone interested in this study should request to be 
included in the study mailing list.
    A public scoping meeting will be held around September of 2005. The 
meeting will be held in the vicinity of Houma, LA. Additional meetings 
could be held, depending upon public interest and if it is determined 
that further public coordination is warranted.
    4. Significant Issues. The tentative list of resources and issues 
to be evaluated in the EIS includes tidal wetlands (marshes and 
swamps), aquatic resources, commercial and recreational fisheries, 
wildlife resources, essential fish habitat, water quality, air quality, 
threatened and endangered species, recreation resources, and cultural 
resources. Socioeconomic items to be evaluated in the EIS include 
navigation, flood protection, business and industrial activity, 
employment, land use, property values, public/community facilities and 
services, tax revenues, population, community and regional growth, 
transportation, housing, community cohesion, and noise.
    5. Environmental Consultation and Review. The U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) will assist in the documentation of existing 
conditions and assessment of effects of project alternatives through 
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act consultation procedures. The USFWS 
will provide a Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act report. Consultation 
will be accomplished with the USFWS and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) concerning threatened and endangered species and their 
critical habitat. The NMFS will be consulted regarding the effects of 
this proposed action on Essential Fish Habitat. The draft EIS (DEIS) or 
a notice of its availability will be distributed to all interested 
agencies, organizations, and individuals.
    6. Estimated Date of Availability. Funding levels will dictate the 
date when the DEIS is available. The earliest that the DEIS is expected 
to be available is May of 2006.

    Dated: August 16, 2005.
Richard P. Wagenaar,
Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05-17496 Filed 9-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-84-P
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