81 FR 11529 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the San Francisco Bay to Stockton (John F. Baldwin and Stockton Ship Channels) Navigation Improvement Study, San Francisco Bay, CA
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 43 (March 4, 2016)
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 43 (March 4, 2016)
| Page Range | 11529-11531 | |
| FR Document | 2016-04758 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 11529-11531] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-04758] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the San Francisco Bay to Stockton (John F. Baldwin and Stockton Ship Channels) Navigation Improvement Study, San Francisco Bay, CA AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) San Francisco District, the Port of Stockton, and the Contra Costa County Water Agency are preparing an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report [[Page 11530]] (EIS/EIR) to evaluate the efficiency of the movement of goods along the existing deep-draft navigation route extending from the San Francisco Bay to the Port of Stockton. This Notice of Intent (NOI) represents a supplemental notice to the March 12, 2008, NOI released for the San Francisco Bay to Stockton Navigation Improvement Study. This supplemental NOI also provides an update to the description of the study and discusses current phasing of the project. Because of the amount of time that has passed since 2008, this supplemental NOI is being released to notify the public that work will begin on an EIS/EIR, which is anticipated to be issued for public review in 2016. This NOI also re-opens the public scoping period. The 2008 NOI discussed the project as a single navigation improvement study/project, proposing to deepen the John F. Baldwin channel from the West Richmond Channel to New York Slough Channel to a maximum depth of -45 feet mean lower low water (MLLW) and the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel to a maximum depth of -40 feet MLLW. The forthcoming EIS/EIR proposes to reevaluate the unconstructed portions of the original project described in the 1965 Chief of Engineers Report (House Document 89-208) and authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-298), which will be referred to in the EIS/EIR as Phase I (or the proposed project). Additional study authority exists for the entire channel from San Francisco Bay to Stockton, provided by the 2014 United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Committee Resolution and specifying ``navigation, ecosystem restoration, flood risk reduction, and other water related resource purposes.'' This additional study authority will be discussed programmatically in the EIS/EIR. The study area for the overall project consists of two reaches: The Western Reach and Eastern Reach. The Western Reach extends from Central San Francisco Bay to Avon and includes the West Richmond Channel, Pinole Shoal Channel, and Bulls Head Reach portion of the Suisun Bay Channel. The Eastern Reach extends from Avon to the Port of Stockton and includes the remaining portions of the Suisun Bay Channel (east of Avon), New York Slough Channel, and the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel. The Western Reach is authorized to a depth of -45 feet mean lower low water (MLLW), but is currently maintained to -35 feet MLLW. Additional deepening of the Eastern Reach requires separate Congressional authorization for construction. The forthcoming EIS/EIR for which this NOI is prepared proposes to separate the overall project into two separate phases (Phase I and Phase II) under a navigation improvement programmatic analysis. Under the programmatic analysis, two reaches and two phases are identified. Phase I of the study is a single purpose navigation improvement project to evaluate incremental deepening to a maximum depth of -40 feet MLLW in the Western Reach. Phase II is a subsequent multipurpose navigation and ecosystem restoration study that would evaluate deepening the Eastern Reach to a maximum depth of -40 feet MLLW. Phase II will also revisit if further deepening of Western Reach up to its authorized depth of -45 feet MLLW is warranted. The Eastern Reach is maintained at its authorized depth of -35 feet MLLW, and any additional deepening in this reach will require a new project authorization through a subsequent Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The EIS/EIR will include both a project-level feasibility analysis for implementation of Phase I and a programmatic-level analysis for Phase II. Analysis of Phase II will be conducted using only existing information (i.e., additional studies or data collection will not be conducted). Additional project-level feasibility analysis of Phase II will require execution of a separate Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement with the local sponsor and pending receipt of federal study funds. DATES: Submit comments concerning this notice on or before April 4, 2016. There will be no additional public meeting in conjunction with this scoping period. ADDRESSES: Mail written comments concerning this notice to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, Planning Branch, ATTN: Cynthia J. Fowler, 1455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1398. Comment letters should include the commenter's physical mailing address, the project title, and the USACE file number in the subject line. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia J. Fowler, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, Planning Branch, 1455 Market Street, San Francisco CA 94103-1398, (415) 503-6870, [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As previously mentioned, the USACE intends to prepare an EIS to reevaluate incremental deepening of the Western Reach and programmatically assess a multipurpose project involving deepening and ecosystem restoration in both the Western and Eastern Reaches. The Port of Stockton is the lead agency and local sponsor in preparing the EIR. The USACE and the Port of Stockton have agreed to jointly prepare an EIS/EIR to optimize efficiency and avoid duplication. The EIS/EIR is intended to be sufficient in scope to address the federal, state, and local requirements and environmental issues concerning the proposed activities and permit approvals. Project Area and Background Information: The San Francisco Bay to Stockton Navigation Improvement Project includes the John F. Baldwin and Stockton Ship Channels, which extend 75 nautical miles from the Pacific Ocean, just outside the Golden Gate, to the Port of Stockton. Modern vessels crossing the channels can require up to 55 feet of draft when fully laden. Given that these channels are maintained at -35 feet MLLW, most vessels must be ``light-loaded'' (i.e., less than fully loaded with cargo) to navigate the channels with sufficient under-keel clearance. Light-loading increases the cost of transportation and, in turn, the cost of the shipped products because more trips must be made to carry the same volume of cargo. Light-loading is also inefficient, requiring more ships to carry cargo than if ships could travel with full loads. The study area includes the entire extent of the federal navigation channels occurring in the Western and Eastern reaches, which are defined as follows: Western Reach. This area includes the West Richmond Channel, Pinole Shoal Channel, Carquinez Strait, and the Bulls Head Reach portion of the Suisun Bay Channel. Avon (just east of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge) separates the Western Reach from the Eastern Reach. Western Reach is currently maintained at -35 feet MLLW, although the channels have an authorized depth of -45 feet MLLW. Eastern Reach. This area includes the remaining portions of the Suisun Bay Channel (i.e., Suisun Bay Channel east of Avon and New York Slough) and all of the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel (DWSC). The Eastern Reach is also maintained at a depth of -35 feet MLLW. The Phase I project-level alternatives described below are anticipated to be analyzed in the Draft EIS/EIR. Phase II will be evaluated at a programmatic level because of uncertainties associated with its scope, size, and other details. No Action, in which dredging to deepen the Western Reach would not occur and all construction-related [[Page 11531]] activities would be avoided. Maintenance dredging would continue annually or on an as-needed basis and the federal standard placement sites would continue to be used. Deepening to -37 feet MLLW, which would deepen the Western Reach to a depth of -37 feet MLLW with up to 2 feet of overdepth for a maximum depth of -39 feet MLLW. To account for rapid shoaling, an approximately 800-foot long sediment trap would be constructed at Bulls Head Reach by dredging up to an additional 6 feet (including 2 feet of overdepth) to -43 feet MLLW. Deepening to -38 feet MLLW, which would deepen the Western Reach to a depth of -38 feet MLLW with up to 2 feet of overdepth for a maximum depth of -40 feet MLLW. Under this alternative, an approximately 800- foot long sediment trap at Bulls Head Reach would be constructed by dredging up to an additional 6 feet (including 2 feet of overdepth) to -44 feet MLLW. Under both deepening alternatives, dredged material is expected to be placed at one or more permitted and economically feasible beneficial reuse sites. Purpose and Need: The purpose of the Phase I study is to evaluate more efficient deep-draft navigation via incremental deepening of the Western Reach in a manner that minimizes adverse environmental effects. A potential subsequent Phase II multipurpose project involving deepening and ecosystem restoration in both the Western and Eastern Reaches will also be discussed programmatically. The purpose of Phase II is also to evaluate efficient deep-draft navigation and beneficial use opportunities using material generated from the deepening project. The need for the Phase I and Phase II studies is to address vessel restrictions imposed by the existing channel depths, which are inadequate to accommodate vessels with drafts exceeding -35 feet MLLW. Issues: The detailed environmental analysis will consider the effect of maintaining or deepening the Western Reach on biological resources, sediments, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, water quality, geology, sediments, hydraulics and hydrology, hazards, noise, utilities, navigation, environmental justice, transportation, land use, cultural and historic resources, aesthetics, recreation, and socioeconomic effects, as well as cumulative impacts and other specific potential environmental issues of concern. Where existing information is sufficiently available, the EIS/EIR will also consider the effects of both phases. Scoping Process: The USACE is seeking participation of all interested federal, state, and local agencies, Native American groups, and other concerned private organizations or individuals through this public notice. The purpose of the public scoping period is to solicit comments regarding the potential impacts, environmental issues, and alternatives associated with the proposed action to be considered in the Draft EIS/EIR; identify other significant issues; provide other relevant information; and recommend mitigation measures. The public comment period is anticipated to run from March 4 to April 4, 2016. The public will have an additional opportunity to comment once the Draft EIS/EIR is released, which is anticipated to be in the summer of 2016. The USACE will announce availability of the Draft EIS/EIR in the Federal Register and other media, and the USACE and Port of Stockton will provide a 45-day review period for the public, organizations, and agencies to review and comment on the Draft EIS/EIR. All interested parties should respond to this notice and provide a current address if they wish to be notified of the Draft EIS/EIR circulation. John C. Morrow, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer. [FR Doc. 2016-04758 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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Office of Management and Budget is entitled to DoD/USCG compensation VA will furnish DMDC the name and
pursuant to paragraph 4d of Appendix may elect to receive for that duty either SSN of all VA pension and disability
I to OMB Circular No. A–130, ‘Federal the disability payments or, if he or she compensation recipients and DMDC
Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining waives such payments, the DoD/USCG will supply VA the name, SSN, date of
Records about Individuals,’ dated compensation for the duty performed. birth, and the number of training days
February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 by fiscal year of each reservist who is
D. Records To Be Matched
FR 6427). identified as a result of the match.
The systems of records maintained by
Dated: March 1, 2016. F. Inclusive Dates of the Matching
the respective agencies under the
Aaron Siegel, Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 Program
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison U.S.C. 552a, from which records will be This computer matching program is
Officer, Department of Defense. disclosed for the purpose of this subject to public comment and review
Notice of a Computer Matching computer match are as follows: by Congress and the Office of
Program Between the Department of The DMDC will use the system of Management and Budget. If the
Veterans Affairs and the Department of records identified as DMDC 01, entitled mandatory 30 day period for comment
Defense for Verification of Disability ‘‘Defense Manpower Data Center Data has expired and no comments are
Compensation Base,’’ last published in the Federal received and if no objections are raised
Register at November 23, 2011, 76 FR by either Congress or the Office of
A. Participating Agencies 72391. Management and Budget within 40 days
Participants in this computer The VA will use the system of records of being notified of the proposed match,
matching program are the Department of identified as ‘‘Compensation, Pension, the computer matching program
Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Defense Education and Vocational Rehabilitation becomes effective and the respective
Manpower Data Center (DMDC) of the and Employment Records–VA’’ (58 VA agencies may begin the exchange at a
Department of Defense (DoD). The VA is 21/22/28), republished in its entirety in mutually agreeable time and thereafter
the source agency, i.e., the activity the Federal Register at July 19, 2012, 77 on a quarterly basis. By agreement
disclosing the records for the purpose of FR 42593. between VA and DMDC, the matching
the match. The DMDC is the specific program will be in effect for 18 months
E. Description of Computer Matching with an option to renew for 12
recipient activity or matching agency,
Program additional months unless one of the
i.e., the agency that actually performs
the computer matching. The VA will submit to DMDC an parties to the agreement advises the
electronic data of all VA pension and other by written request to terminate or
B. Purpose of the Match disability compensation beneficiaries as modify the agreement.
The purpose of this agreement is to of the end of September. Upon receipt
of the data, DMDC will match by SSN G. Address for Receipt of Public
verify eligibility for DoD/United States
Comments or Inquiries
Coast Guard (USCG) members of the with reserve pay data as submitted to
Reserve forces who receive VA DMDC by the military services and the Department of Defense, Office of the
disability compensation or pension to USCG. Upon a SSN match, or a ‘‘hit,’’ Deputy Chief Management Officer,
also receive military pay and allowances of both data sets, DMDC will provide Directorate of Oversight and
when performing reserve duty. VA the individual’s name and other Compliance, Regulatory and Audit
The VA will provide to DMDC identifying data, to include the number Matters Office, 9010 Defense Pentagon,
identifying information on all VA of training days, by fiscal year, for each Washington, DC 20301–9010.
recipients receiving a VA disability matched record. Training days are the [FR Doc. 2016–04832 Filed 3–3–16; 8:45 am]
compensation or pension. DMDC will total of inactive duty drills paid plus BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
match the information with its reserve active duty days paid.
military pay data and provide for each The hits will be furnished to VA,
match (hit) the number of training days, which will be responsible for verifying DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
by fiscal year, for which the veteran was and determining that the data in the
paid. The VA will use this information DMDC electronic files is consistent with Department of the Army, Corps of
to make, where appropriate, necessary the VA files and for resolving any Engineers
VA payment adjustments. discrepancies or inconsistencies on an
individual basis. VA will initiate actions Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint
C. Authority for Conducting the Match Environmental Impact Statement/
to obtain an election by the individual
The legal authority for conducting the of which pay he or she wishes to receive Environmental Impact Report for the
matching program for use in the and will be responsible for making final San Francisco Bay to Stockton (John
administration of VA’s Compensation determinations as to positive F. Baldwin and Stockton Ship
and Pension Benefits Program is identification, eligibility for, or amounts Channels) Navigation Improvement
contained in 38 U.S.C. 5304(c), of pension or disability compensation Study, San Francisco Bay, CA
Prohibition Against Duplication of benefits, adjustments thereto, or any AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S.
Benefits, provides that VA disability recovery of overpayments, or such other Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
compensation or pension based upon action as authorized by law. ACTION: Notice of Intent.
his or her previous military service shall The electronic data provided by the
not be paid to a person for any period SUMMARY: In accordance with the
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
VA will contain information on
for which such person receives active approximately 4.2 million pension and National Environmental Policy Act
service pay. 10 U.S.C. 12316, Payment disability compensation recipients. (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of
of certain Reserves While on Duty, The DMDC reserve pay data contains Engineers (USACE) San Francisco
further provides that a reservist who is information on approximately 890,000 District, the Port of Stockton, and the
entitled to disability payments due to DoD and 10,000 USCG reservists who Contra Costa County Water Agency are
his or her earlier military service and received pay and allowances for preparing an Environmental Impact
who performs duty for which he or she performing authorized duty. Statement/Environmental Impact Report
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / Notices 11531
activities would be avoided. Scoping Process: The USACE is both the Government in the Sunshine
Maintenance dredging would continue seeking participation of all interested Act and the Board’s enabling legislation.
annually or on an as-needed basis and federal, state, and local agencies, Native MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: In this
the federal standard placement sites American groups, and other concerned public hearing, the Board wishes to
would continue to be used. private organizations or individuals gather information regarding the
Deepening to ¥37 feet MLLW, which through this public notice. The purpose hazards to the public and workers posed
would deepen the Western Reach to a of the public scoping period is to solicit by the management of transuranic (TRU)
depth of ¥37 feet MLLW with up to 2 comments regarding the potential waste at Los Alamos National
feet of overdepth for a maximum depth impacts, environmental issues, and Laboratory (LANL) as well as the
of ¥39 feet MLLW. To account for rapid alternatives associated with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) plans to
shoaling, an approximately 800-foot proposed action to be considered in the address those hazards. The Board will
long sediment trap would be Draft EIS/EIR; identify other significant also examine DOE’s actions taken or
constructed at Bulls Head Reach by issues; provide other relevant planned to resolve known inadequacies
dredging up to an additional 6 feet information; and recommend mitigation in the current safety basis of the various
(including 2 feet of overdepth) to ¥43 measures. The public comment period facilities that manage or store TRU
feet MLLW. is anticipated to run from March 4 to waste at LANL, and actions to improve
Deepening to ¥38 feet MLLW, which April 4, 2016. TRU waste management at LANL in
would deepen the Western Reach to a The public will have an additional response to the challenges caused by the
depth of ¥38 feet MLLW with up to 2 opportunity to comment once the Draft Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)
feet of overdepth for a maximum depth EIS/EIR is released, which is anticipated accident and the associated
of ¥40 feet MLLW. Under this to be in the summer of 2016. The investigation findings.
alternative, an approximately 800-foot USACE will announce availability of the A senior Board technical staff
long sediment trap at Bulls Head Reach Draft EIS/EIR in the Federal Register employee will present information to
would be constructed by dredging up to and other media, and the USACE and the Board regarding TRU waste
an additional 6 feet (including 2 feet of Port of Stockton will provide a 45-day management at LANL, including safety
overdepth) to ¥44 feet MLLW. review period for the public, issues identified at Area G including
Under both deepening alternatives, organizations, and agencies to review issues with inappropriately remediated
dredged material is expected to be and comment on the Draft EIS/EIR. All nitrate salt-bearing waste, corrective
placed at one or more permitted and interested parties should respond to this actions resulting from the WIPP
economically feasible beneficial reuse notice and provide a current address if accident, and federal oversight. The
sites. they wish to be notified of the Draft EIS/ Board will then receive testimony from
Purpose and Need: The purpose of the
EIR circulation. senior officials from DOE Headquarters
Phase I study is to evaluate more
efficient deep-draft navigation via and National Nuclear Security
John C. Morrow,
incremental deepening of the Western Administration (NNSA) Headquarters
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, District
Reach in a manner that minimizes regarding federal oversight of LANL
Engineer.
adverse environmental effects. A transuranic waste management. After a
[FR Doc. 2016–04758 Filed 3–3–16; 8:45 am]
potential subsequent Phase II brief recess, the Board will receive
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
multipurpose project involving testimony from DOE and NNSA Los
deepening and ecosystem restoration in Alamos Field Office leadership as well
both the Western and Eastern Reaches as LANL leadership regarding technical
DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES resolution of safety issues. Following
will also be discussed SAFETY BOARD
programmatically. The purpose of Phase the public comment period, the hearing
II is also to evaluate efficient deep-draft will conclude with statements from
Sunshine Act Notice senior officials from DOE and NNSA as
navigation and beneficial use
opportunities using material generated AGENCY: Defense Nuclear Facilities well as the Board Chairman. The public
from the deepening project. The need Safety Board. hearing portion of this proceeding is
for the Phase I and Phase II studies is ACTION: Notice of Public Hearing. authorized by 42 U.S.C. 2286b.
to address vessel restrictions imposed FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the provisions of Welch, General Manager, Defense
by the existing channel depths, which
the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625
are inadequate to accommodate vessels
U.S.C. 552b), notice is hereby given of Indiana Avenue NW., Suite 700,
with drafts exceeding ¥35 feet MLLW.
Issues: The detailed environmental the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Washington, DC 20004–2901, (800) 788–
analysis will consider the effect of Board’s (Board) public hearing 4016.
maintaining or deepening the Western described below. The Board invites any SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public
Reach on biological resources, interested persons or groups to present participation in the hearing is invited
sediments, air quality, greenhouse gas any comments, technical information, or during the public comment period of
emissions, climate change, water data concerning safety issues related to the agenda. The Board is setting aside
quality, geology, sediments, hydraulics the matters to be considered. time for presentations and comments
and hydrology, hazards, noise, utilities, DATES: Session I: 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., from the public. Persons interested in
navigation, environmental justice, Session II: 6:45 p.m.–9:00 p.m., March speaking during the public comment
transportation, land use, cultural and 22, 2016. period are encouraged to pre-register by
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
historic resources, aesthetics, recreation, PLACE: Santa Fe Community Convention submitting a request in writing to the
and socioeconomic effects, as well as Center, 201 West Marcy Street, Santa Fe, Board’s address listed above or by
cumulative impacts and other specific New Mexico 87501. Parking will be telephone to the Office of the General
potential environmental issues of available at no cost. Counsel at (202) 694–7062 prior to close
concern. Where existing information is STATUS: Open. The Board has of business on March 18, 2016. The
sufficiently available, the EIS/EIR will determined that an open hearing Board asks that commenters describe
also consider the effects of both phases. furthers the public interests underlying the nature and scope of their oral
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Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:05:38
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:05:38
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Intent. | |
| Dates | Submit comments concerning this notice on or before April 4, 2016. There will be no additional public meeting in conjunction with this scoping period. | |
| Contact | Cynthia J. Fowler, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, Planning Branch, 1455 Market Street, San Francisco CA 94103-1398, (415) 503-6870, [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 11529 |
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