83 FR 54096 - Joint Notice of Availability for the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 208 (October 26, 2018)
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 208 (October 26, 2018)
| Page Range | 54096-54097 | |
| FR Document | 2018-23450 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 54096-54097] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-23450] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Joint Notice of Availability for the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District (USACE) announces the release of the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (DIFR-EIS) for the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) of the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study, Texas. The DIFR-EIS documents the existing condition of environmental resources in and around areas considered for development, and potential impacts on those resources as a result of implementing the alternatives. This public notice is also issued for the purpose of advising all known interested parties that there is pending before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) a decision on water quality certification. A copy of the public notice, with a description of work, has been made available for review in the TCEQ's Austin office. DATES: USACE will accept written public comments on the DIFR-EIS from October 26, 2018 to January 9, 2019. Comments on the DIFR-EIS must be postmarked by January 9, 2019. ADDRESSES: Public comments can be mailed to: USACE, Galveston District, Attn: Mrs. Jennifer Morgan, Environmental Compliance Branch, Regional Planning and Environmental Center, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, TX 77553- 1229 or emailed to CoastalTexas@usace.army.mil. See website: http://coastalstudy.texas.gov/ for additional information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Jennifer Morgan, (409) 766-3131. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: The lead agency for this proposed action is the USACE. This study has been prepared under the standing authority of Section 4091, Water Resources Development Act of 2007, Public Law 110-114. The non-Federal sponsor is the Texas General Land Office. Background: This DIFR-EIS was prepared as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to present an evaluation of potential impacts associated with the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study (Coastal Texas) TSP. The USACE and the non-Federal sponsor for the study, the Texas General Land Office (GLO), have conducted this study and prepared the DIFR-EIS. The study area for the Coastal Texas Study consists of the entire Texas Gulf coast from the mouth of the Sabine River to the mouth of the Rio Grande, and includes the Gulf and tidal waters, barrier islands, estuaries, coastal wetlands, rivers and streams, borrow sources, and adjacent areas that make up the interrelated ecosystems along the coast of Texas. The study area encompasses 18 coastal counties along the Gulf coast and bayfronts. This report presents the proposed alternatives that would reduce the risk of storm damage to industries and businesses critical to the Nation's economy and protect the health and safety of Texas coastal communities. The study analyzed alternatives that involved structural and nonstructural measures. Additionally, the report discusses alternatives intended to address critical coastal ecosystems in need of restoration, including wetlands, seagrass beds, sea turtle nesting habitat, piping plover critical habitat, and bird rookery islands, as well as numerous Federal and State wildlife refuges. Tentatively Selected Plan: The TSP consists of the Coastal Barrier Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) System, South Padre Island CSRM measure, and a comprehensive set of ecosystem restoration (ER) measures. The Coastal Barrier is a risk reduction system made up of the following features: Floodwalls, floodgates, seawall improvements, drainage structures, pump stations, and surge barrier gates. One fundamental feature of the TSP is surge barrier structures that include floating sector gates for navigation traffic and environmental lift gates across the span at Bolivar Roads between Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island. The alternative includes four reaches: Eastern Tie-in Reach, Bolivar Peninsula Reach, Galveston Ring Levee/Floodwall Reach, and West Galveston Island Reach in addition to features located at Clear Creek Channel and Dickinson Bayou. The South Padre Island CSRM measure consists of approximately 2.2 miles of dune and beach restoration along the barrier island on the Gulf, including renourishment cycles. The ER component of the TSP has been formulated to address the habitat loss and degradation from coastal processes. ER measures restore and create habitat and support structural CSRM efforts by providing a natural buffer from coastal storms. ER measures proposed in this study include a combination of features formulated in specific geographic locations to restore diverse habitats and coastal features that provide multiple lines of defense against coastal storms and long term coastal processes. Restoration measures include beach and dune complexes, oyster reefs, bird rookery islands, wetland and marsh complexes, and protection of submerged aquatic vegetation. A final decision will be made following the reviews and higher- level coordination within the USACE to select a plan for feasibility- level design and recommendation for implementation. The decision will be documented in the Final Integrated Feasibility Report (FIFR)-EIS. Coordination with the natural resource agencies will continue throughout the study process. Project Impacts and Environmental Compliance: Preliminary studies indicate that the recommended plan's surge barrier gates (proposed as features of the Coastal Barrier) may alter wetland functions by constricting tidal exchange and associated sediment transport, altering hydrosalinity gradients, reducing flow into and out of Galveston Bay, and increasing velocities near the gate openings at specific times. The TSP was formulated to reduce the risk of damages from coastal storms as well as avoid disturbance to environmentally significant resources. Where impacts could not be avoided, they were quantified, and a conceptual mitigation plan was formulated. Impacts would be fully compensated with the restoration of palustrine and estuarine emergent marsh in the amount determined during final feasibility planning. The Coastal Barrier would provide a level of protection to tidal and freshwater wetlands north of the barrier location by serving as a physical barrier against [[Page 54097]] storm surge during coastal storms. The South Padre Island CSRM feature would restore the beach and dune complex; therefore, providing reduced risk to the area while sustaining and increasing beach habitat, and helping preserve existing wetland habitat on the bayside of the measure. Ecosystem restoration measures would restore the natural features of the Texas coast that provide habitat for many Federally threatened and endangered species and State species of concern. These measures will also maintain a natural buffer for upland areas from coastal processes, relative sea level rise (RSLR), and storm surge, while stabilizing the coastline by absorbing energy from waves and vessel wakes. The DIFR-EIS presents an evaluation of the potential impacts to soils, waterbottoms, water quality, protected wildlife species, benthic organisms, essential fish habitat, coastal barrier resources, air quality, and noise. Additionally, potential impacts to floodplains, flood control, protected/managed lands, and minority or low-income populations have been evaluated. Steps would be taken to avoid, minimize, and mitigate any potential impacts to the best extent practicable. The USACE is proposing to execute a Programmatic Agreement among USACE, the Texas State Historic Preservation Office, and any NFS, in coordination with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and Tribal Nations, to address the identification and discovery of cultural resources that may occur during the construction and maintenance of proposed or existing facilities. Solicitation of Comments: The USACE is soliciting comments from the public, Federal, State, and local agencies, elected officials, Tribal Nations, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Comments will be used in preparation of the FIFR-EIS. Any comments concerning water quality certification may be submitted to the TCEQ, 401 Coordinator, MSC-150, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. Meetings: The Galveston District will hold public meetings at 5:30 p.m. for the DIFR-EIS on the following dates and locations: November 27, 2018 at Bauer Community Center, 2300 TX-35, Port Lavaca, TX 77979; November 28, 2018 at Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78412; November 29, 2018 at Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center, 309 Railroad Ave., Port Isabel, TX 78578; December 11, 2018 at Winnie Community Building, 335 South Park St., Winnie, TX 77665; December 12, 2018 at Galveston Island Convention Center, 5600 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, TX 77551; and December 18, 2018 at Bay Area Community Center, 5002 E NASA Parkway, Seabrook, TX 77586. Document Availability: Compact disc copies of the DIFR-EIS are available for viewing at county libraries throughout the 18 county study area. The document can also be viewed and downloaded from the Galveston District website: http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Business-With-Us/Planning-Environmental-Branch/Documents-for-Public-Review/. Lars N. Zetterstrom, Colonel, U.S. Army, Commanding. [FR Doc. 2018-23450 Filed 10-25-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
![54096 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2018 / Notices
end of the meeting will be available for CoastalTexas@usace.army.mil. See across the span at Bolivar Roads
verbal public comments. Members of website: http://coastalstudy.texas.gov/ between Bolivar Peninsula and
the public who have requested to make for additional information. Galveston Island. The alternative
a verbal comment and whose comments FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. includes four reaches: Eastern Tie-in
have been deemed relevant under the Jennifer Morgan, (409) 766–3131. Reach, Bolivar Peninsula Reach,
process described above, will be allotted SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Galveston Ring Levee/Floodwall Reach,
no more than three (3) minutes during Authority: The lead agency for this and West Galveston Island Reach in
this period, and will be invited to speak proposed action is the USACE. This addition to features located at Clear
in the order in which their requests study has been prepared under the Creek Channel and Dickinson Bayou.
were received by the DFO and ADFO. standing authority of Section 4091, The South Padre Island CSRM measure
Water Resources Development Act of consists of approximately 2.2 miles of
Brenda S. Bowen,
2007, Public Law 110–114. The non- dune and beach restoration along the
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
Federal sponsor is the Texas General barrier island on the Gulf, including
[FR Doc. 2018–23448 Filed 10–25–18; 8:45 am] renourishment cycles. The ER
Land Office.
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
Background: This DIFR–EIS was component of the TSP has been
prepared as required by the National formulated to address the habitat loss
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to and degradation from coastal processes.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ER measures restore and create habitat
present an evaluation of potential
Department of the Army; Corps of and support structural CSRM efforts by
impacts associated with the Coastal
Engineers providing a natural buffer from coastal
Texas Protection and Restoration
storms. ER measures proposed in this
Feasibility Study (Coastal Texas) TSP.
Joint Notice of Availability for the study include a combination of features
The USACE and the non-Federal
Coastal Texas Protection and formulated in specific geographic
sponsor for the study, the Texas General
Restoration Study Draft Integrated locations to restore diverse habitats and
Land Office (GLO), have conducted this
Feasibility Report and Environmental coastal features that provide multiple
study and prepared the DIFR–EIS.
Impact Statement lines of defense against coastal storms
The study area for the Coastal Texas
and long term coastal processes.
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Study consists of the entire Texas Gulf
Restoration measures include beach and
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. coast from the mouth of the Sabine
dune complexes, oyster reefs, bird
ACTION: Notice of availability. River to the mouth of the Rio Grande,
rookery islands, wetland and marsh
and includes the Gulf and tidal waters, complexes, and protection of submerged
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National barrier islands, estuaries, coastal aquatic vegetation.
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the wetlands, rivers and streams, borrow A final decision will be made
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, sources, and adjacent areas that make following the reviews and higher-level
Galveston District (USACE) announces up the interrelated ecosystems along the coordination within the USACE to
the release of the Draft Integrated coast of Texas. The study area select a plan for feasibility-level design
Feasibility Report and Environmental encompasses 18 coastal counties along and recommendation for
Impact Statement (DIFR–EIS) for the the Gulf coast and bayfronts. implementation. The decision will be
Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) of the This report presents the proposed documented in the Final Integrated
Coastal Texas Protection and alternatives that would reduce the risk Feasibility Report (FIFR)–EIS.
Restoration Study, Texas. The DIFR–EIS of storm damage to industries and Coordination with the natural resource
documents the existing condition of businesses critical to the Nation’s agencies will continue throughout the
environmental resources in and around economy and protect the health and study process.
areas considered for development, and safety of Texas coastal communities. Project Impacts and Environmental
potential impacts on those resources as The study analyzed alternatives that Compliance: Preliminary studies
a result of implementing the involved structural and nonstructural indicate that the recommended plan’s
alternatives. measures. Additionally, the report surge barrier gates (proposed as features
This public notice is also issued for discusses alternatives intended to of the Coastal Barrier) may alter wetland
the purpose of advising all known address critical coastal ecosystems in functions by constricting tidal exchange
interested parties that there is pending need of restoration, including wetlands, and associated sediment transport,
before the Texas Commission on seagrass beds, sea turtle nesting habitat, altering hydrosalinity gradients,
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) a piping plover critical habitat, and bird reducing flow into and out of Galveston
decision on water quality certification. rookery islands, as well as numerous Bay, and increasing velocities near the
A copy of the public notice, with a Federal and State wildlife refuges. gate openings at specific times. The TSP
description of work, has been made Tentatively Selected Plan: The TSP was formulated to reduce the risk of
available for review in the TCEQ’s consists of the Coastal Barrier Coastal damages from coastal storms as well as
Austin office. Storm Risk Management (CSRM) avoid disturbance to environmentally
DATES: USACE will accept written System, South Padre Island CSRM significant resources. Where impacts
public comments on the DIFR–EIS from measure, and a comprehensive set of could not be avoided, they were
October 26, 2018 to January 9, 2019. ecosystem restoration (ER) measures. quantified, and a conceptual mitigation
Comments on the DIFR–EIS must be The Coastal Barrier is a risk reduction plan was formulated. Impacts would be
postmarked by January 9, 2019. system made up of the following fully compensated with the restoration
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES: Public comments can be features: Floodwalls, floodgates, seawall of palustrine and estuarine emergent
mailed to: USACE, Galveston District, improvements, drainage structures, marsh in the amount determined during
Attn: Mrs. Jennifer Morgan, pump stations, and surge barrier gates. final feasibility planning. The Coastal
Environmental Compliance Branch, One fundamental feature of the TSP is Barrier would provide a level of
Regional Planning and Environmental surge barrier structures that include protection to tidal and freshwater
Center, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, TX floating sector gates for navigation wetlands north of the barrier location by
77553–1229 or emailed to traffic and environmental lift gates serving as a physical barrier against
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2018 / Notices 54097
storm surge during coastal storms. The St., Winnie, TX 77665; December 12, Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA
South Padre Island CSRM feature would 2018 at Galveston Island Convention 23508–1278.
restore the beach and dune complex; Center, 5600 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Dated: October 23, 2018.
therefore, providing reduced risk to the TX 77551; and December 18, 2018 at Meredith Steingold Werner,
area while sustaining and increasing Bay Area Community Center, 5002 E
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate
beach habitat, and helping preserve NASA Parkway, Seabrook, TX 77586. General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
existing wetland habitat on the bayside Document Availability: Compact disc Liaison Officer.
of the measure. Ecosystem restoration copies of the DIFR–EIS are available for [FR Doc. 2018–23488 Filed 10–25–18; 8:45 am]
measures would restore the natural viewing at county libraries throughout
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
features of the Texas coast that provide the 18 county study area. The document
habitat for many Federally threatened can also be viewed and downloaded
and endangered species and State from the Galveston District website:
species of concern. These measures will DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/
also maintain a natural buffer for upland Business-With-Us/Planning- [FE Docket No. 18–144–LNG]
areas from coastal processes, relative sea Environmental-Branch/Documents-for-
level rise (RSLR), and storm surge, Public-Review/. Energı́a Costa Azul S. de R.L. de C.V;
while stabilizing the coastline by Application for Long-Term, Multi-
absorbing energy from waves and vessel Lars N. Zetterstrom, Contract Authorization To Export
wakes. Colonel, U.S. Army, Commanding. Natural Gas to Mexico and To Export
The DIFR–EIS presents an evaluation [FR Doc. 2018–23450 Filed 10–25–18; 8:45 am] Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free
of the potential impacts to soils, BILLING CODE 3720–58–P Trade Agreement Nations
waterbottoms, water quality, protected
wildlife species, benthic organisms, AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.
essential fish habitat, coastal barrier DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ACTION: Notice of application.
resources, air quality, and noise.
Department of the Navy SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy
Additionally, potential impacts to
(FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE)
floodplains, flood control, protected/
Notice of Availability of Record of gives notice of receipt of an application
managed lands, and minority or low-
Decision for the Atlantic Fleet Training (Application), filed on September 27,
income populations have been
evaluated. Steps would be taken to and Testing Final Environmental 2018, by Energı́a Costa Azul S. de R.L.
avoid, minimize, and mitigate any Impact Statement/Overseas de C.V (Energı́a Costa Azul), a
potential impacts to the best extent Environmental Impact Statement subsidiary of Infrastructura Energetica
practicable. The USACE is proposing to Nova, S.A.B. de C.V. (IEnova) and
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD. IEnova’s subsidiaries. A majority of the
execute a Programmatic Agreement
among USACE, the Texas State Historic ACTION: Notice. ownership interests in IEnova (66.43%)
Preservation Office, and any NFS, in is held by indirect, wholly-owned
SUMMARY: The United States Department subsidiaries of Sempra Energy, a
coordination with the Advisory Council of the Navy (DoN), announces its
on Historic Preservation and Tribal publicly traded California corporation.
decision to conduct training and testing The Application requests long-term,
Nations, to address the identification in the Atlantic Fleet study area as
and discovery of cultural resources that multi-contract authorization to export
described in Alternative 1 of the domestically produced natural gas to
may occur during the construction and Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing
maintenance of proposed or existing Mexico in a volume up to 182 billion
Final Environmental Impact Statement/ cubic feet (Bcf) per year (Bcf/yr) (0.5 Bcf
facilities. Overseas Environmental Impact
Solicitation of Comments: The per day), and to re-export a portion of
Statement (AFTT FEIS/OEIS). Under this natural gas as liquefied natural gas
USACE is soliciting comments from the
Alternative 1, the DoN will be able to (LNG) in a volume equivalent to 161
public, Federal, State, and local
agencies, elected officials, Tribal meet current and future DoN training Bcf/yr of natural gas (0.44 Bcf per day).
Nations, and other interested parties in and testing requirements. Energı́a Costa Azul seeks to export this
order to consider and evaluate the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: LNG from the proposed Energı́a Costa
impacts of this proposed activity. Alternative 1 is the DoN’s preferred Azul Mid-Scale Project, which consists
Comments will be used in preparation alternative, and is representative of of certain liquefaction and export
of the FIFR–EIS. Any comments training to account for the natural terminal facilities located on the site of
concerning water quality certification fluctuations of training cycles, Energı́a Costa Azul’s existing LNG
may be submitted to the TCEQ, 401 deployment schedules, and use of import terminal north of Ensenada, Baja
Coordinator, MSC–150, P.O. Box 13087, synthetic training opportunities. California, Mexico. The volumes for
Austin, Texas 78711–3087. Alternative 1 also includes an annual which Energı́a Costa Azul seeks
Meetings: The Galveston District will level of testing that reflects the authorization in this Application would
hold public meetings at 5:30 p.m. for the fluctuations in DoN testing programs. be additive to the volumes for which
DIFR–EIS on the following dates and The complete text of the Record of Energı́a Costa Azul seeks authorization
locations: November 27, 2018 at Bauer Decision (ROD) for the AFTT FEIS/OEIS in its application in FE Docket No. 18–
Community Center, 2300 TX–35, Port is available on the project website at 145–LNG. Energı́a Costa Azul requests
Lavaca, TX 77979; November 28, 2018 http://aftteis.com, along with the authorization to export this LNG to: (i)
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
at Harte Research Institute at Texas September 2018 AFTT FEIS/OEIS, dated Countries with which the United States
A&M Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Dr., September 2018 and supporting has entered into a free trade agreement
Corpus Christi, TX 78412; November 29, documents. Single copies of the ROD (FTA) requiring national treatment for
2018 at Port Isabel Event & Cultural are available upon request by trade in natural gas (FTA countries) and
Center, 309 Railroad Ave., Port Isabel, contacting: Naval Facilities Engineering (ii) any other countries with which trade
TX 78578; December 11, 2018 at Winnie Command Atlantic, Attn: Code EV22 is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy
Community Building, 335 South Park (AFTT EIS/OEIS project manager), 6506 (non-FTA countries). Energı́a Costa Azul
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:32 Oct 25, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_54304/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-10-26 02:26:54
Document Modified: 2018-10-26 02:26:54
| 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 availability. | |
| Dates | USACE will accept written public comments on the DIFR-EIS from October 26, 2018 to January 9, 2019. Comments on the DIFR-EIS must be postmarked by January 9, 2019. | |
| Contact | Mrs. Jennifer Morgan, (409) 766-3131. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 54096 |
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