80 FR 79035 - Intent To Prepare a Draft Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Navigational Improvements to Manatee Harbor in Manatee County, FL

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 243 (December 18, 2015)

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

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79035-79036]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31807]


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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 Manatee Harbor 
in Manatee County, FL

AGENCY: Department of the Army, 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 Manatee Harbor.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Aubree Hershorin at (904) 232-2136 
or email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Description of the Proposed Action. Proposed navigational 
improvements to Manatee Harbor include deepening the harbor up to minus 
43 feet and widening the harbor.
    2. Reasonable Alternatives. Various increments of widening and 
deepening, as well as other alternatives will be evaluated. The dredged 
material is expected to be suitable for placement in the Ocean Dredged 
Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) located approximately 30 miles from the 
mouth of Tampa Bay. Some material may be suitable for placement in 
dredged holes and for other purposes, and the study may evaluate the 
expansion of existing dredged material management areas. 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, seagrass, 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,

[[Page 79036]]

critical habitat, and essential fish habitat.
--U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Input concerning disposal in 
the Tampa ODMDS.
--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the Lead agency and, together 
with the non-federal sponsor (Port Manatee), 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 
January 20, 2016, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Port Manatee Intermodal 
Center, 1905 Intermodal Circle, Palmetto, FL 34221.
    5. Date the DEIS Will Be Made Available to the Public. Dependent on 
the issues, alternatives, investigations, and other requirements 
identified during the scoping and plan formulation process; the Draft 
EIS should be available by November 2017.

    Dated: December 10, 2015.
Eric P. Summa,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 2015-31807 Filed 12-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P