80 FR 60657 - Intent To Prepare a Draft Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Navigational Improvements to San Juan Harbor in San Juan, Puerto Rico

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 194 (October 7, 2015)

The purpose of the feasibility study is to improve navigation in San Juan Harbor.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 60657]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25574]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Feasibility Study and Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for Navigational Improvements to San Juan Harbor 
in San Juan, Puerto Rico

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of the feasibility study is to improve navigation 
in San Juan Harbor.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, 
Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul DeMarco at (904) 232-1897 or 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Description of the Proposed Action. Proposed navigational 
improvements to San Juan Harbor include deepening main channels up to 
minus 50 feet and widening main channels up to an additional 50 feet. 
Additional information is available on our Environmental Documents Web 
page at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/DivisionsOffices/Planning/EnvironmentalBranch/EnvironmentalDocuments.aspx#SJH.
    2. Reasonable Alternatives. Lesser increments of widening and 
deepening and other alternatives would also be evaluated. The dredged 
material is expected to be suitable for placement in the Ocean Dredged 
Material Disposal Site located a few miles from the harbor entrance. 
Some material may be suitable for placement in dredged holes and for 
other purposes. Other alternatives as identified during the scoping and 
plan formulation process will be considered.
    3. Scoping Process:
    a. Public and Agency Involvement. A scoping letter is being sent to 
agencies, commercial interests, and the public.
    b. Issues to be Analyzed in Depth in the DEIS. Important issues 
expected include impacts to protected species, sea grass, hardgrounds, 
socio-economic factors, and any other factors that might be determined 
during the scoping and plan formulation process.
    c. Possible Assignments for Input into the EIS Among Lead and 
Potential Cooperating Agencies.

--U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Input concerning listed species, 
critical habitat, and other fish and wildlife resources.
--National Marine Fisheries Service: Input concerning listed species, 
critical habitat, and essential fish habitat.
--U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Input concerning ocean 
disposal.
--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the Lead agency and, together 
with the non-federal sponsor (Puerto Rico Ports Authority) will assume 
responsibility for all other aspects of the EIS.

    d. Other Environmental Review and Consultation Requirements. The 
proposed action is subject to the requirements of the Endangered 
Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Essential Fish Habitat 
requirements, National Historic Preservation Act, numerous other laws 
and executive orders, and any other requirements that might be 
identified during the scoping and plan formulation process.
    4. Scoping Meeting. A public scoping meeting will be held on 
November 5, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 101 of the Puerto Rico 
Convention Center, 100 Convention Boulevard, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
    5. Date the DEIS Made Available to the Public. Depending on the 
issues, alternatives, investigations, and other requirements identified 
during the scoping and plan formulation process; the Draft EIS should 
be available by September 30, 2017.

    Dated: September 29, 2015.
Eric P. Summa,
Chief, Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 2015-25574 Filed 10-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P