83 FR 8251 - Availability of Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway: Brazos River Floodgates and Colorado River Locks Systems Feasibility Study, Brazos and Matagorda Counties, TX
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 38 (February 26, 2018)
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 38 (February 26, 2018)
| Page Range | 8251-8252 | |
| FR Document | 2018-03852 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 8251-8252] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-03852] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Availability of Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway: Brazos River Floodgates and Colorado River Locks Systems Feasibility Study, Brazos and Matagorda Counties, TX 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 Recommended Plan of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW): Brazos River Floodgates (BRFG) and Colorado River Locks (CRL) Systems Feasibility Study, Brazos and Matagorda Counties, TX. 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. DATES: The Galveston District will hold a public meeting for the DIFR- EIS on March 13, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. USACE will accept written public comments on the DIFR-EIS from February 26, 2018 to April 11, 2018. Comments on the DIFR-EIS must be postmarked by April 11, 2018. ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the West Columbia Civic Center, 516 E. Brazos Ave. (State Highway 35), West Columbia, TX 77486. Comments may be submitted at the public meeting or mailed to the District Engineer, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, TX 77553. Comments may also be sent to the District Engineer via email at [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Galveston District Public Affairs Office at 409-766-3004 or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: The lead agency for this proposed action is USACE. This study has been prepared in response to the provision of funds in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1998, under the authority of Section 216 of the 1970 Flood Control Act. The non-federal sponsor is the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). [[Page 8252]] Background: The USACE, with input provided by the non-federal sponsor, TxDOT, and other Federal, State, and local resource agencies, prepared the GIWW BRFG/CRL DIFR-EIS. The GIWW BRFG/CRL study was recommended for feasibility level analysis after completion of a 2000 reconnaissance report entitled, GIWW Modifications, Texas Section 905(b) Analysis, to determine federal interest. It encompassed two locations on the GIWW along the Texas Coast. The BRFG is located about 7 miles southwest of Freeport, TX, at the crossings of the Brazos River and the GIWW in Brazoria County. The CRL are located near Matagorda, TX, at the intersection of the Colorado River and the GIWW in Matagorda County. In 1940, six 75-foot-wide gated structures, which were designed to control flows and silt into the GIWW at the Brazos and Colorado Rivers, were completed. The gates are closed during higher flow events, which generally carry more sediments, thus reducing shoaling and therefore dredging in the GIWW. Although the structural improvements on both rivers helped to reduce shoaling, they created their own set of delays to navigation. The narrow opening of the gated structure creates an impedance to the flow of water causing the water to swell and rise locally, which accelerates the water through the structure, creating hazardous navigation conditions. At a certain level of swell, or head differential, navigation is deemed too hazardous and the river crossing is closed to navigation. The 75-foot-wide opening also requires tows that are assembled to two barges wide to break down to single wide to traverse the structures. The narrow gate opening and crossing geometry create hazardous cross currents and eddies, which when coupled with winds and other drivers are the cause for numerous vessel impacts (allisions) to the structures. These problems combine to create massive average delays to navigation, which became the single-most important economic driver and decision point for the study process. The study process includes an in- depth investigation of the existing practices and conditions for navigation as well as an extrapolation of these practices and conditions into the future to establish a baseline, or without-project condition, to which all improvements, measures/alternatives, can be measured. Recommended Plan: The Recommended Plan includes structural measures for both the Brazos and Colorado River crossings. The Brazos River crossing portion of the plan will be in the existing channel alignment with open channel on the west side and a gate structure (125 feet wide) on the east side. The open channel on the west side changes the river reactions and the overall sediment deposit distribution compared to the without-project condition. Modeling has determined that sediments will result in an increase of 8% in dredging volumes and costs above current levels. The current cost estimate for construction is approximately $147.8 million including contingencies. The Colorado River crossing portion of the plan will also be in the existing channel alignment and include gate removal of the riverside gate structures while retaining the outer gates, creating a wider (125 feet) channel and much longer forebay, reducing barge allisions with the guidewalls. For the Colorado crossing, full gated structures remain, resulting in minimal changes to sediment distribution patterns. The current cost estimate for construction is approximately $36.9M including contingencies. To quantitatively analyze and compare alternatives, monetized benefits of the alternatives were estimated using a stand-along model developed and approved for use by this study. Benefits were compared to costs to develop benefit-cost ratios (BCR) and net benefits estimates. The system BCR for the Recommended Plan is 2.5. Project Impacts and Environmental Compliance: The recommended plan would result in the loss of approximately 6.0 acres of wetlands at the BRFG and 0.7 acre of wetlands at the CRL, primarily due to excavation of temporary bypass channels. The USACE would provide onsite mitigation for the impacted wetlands in the form of wetland creation. The proposed project is not expected to adversely affect federally listed threatened or endangered species. A net increase in sedimentation would occur at the BRFG as a result of the Recommended Plan, and maintenance dredging would be needed to prevent or reduce shoaling due to natural sediment deposition processes. Potential hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste (HTRW) concerns may occur at the BRFG and CRL facilities, such as possible lead paint on the structures and potential for contaminants in sediment deposits in the areas. These areas will be tested as appropriate and, depending on the sediment sample results, there will be additional efforts for disposal, treatment, or additional health and safety requirements during construction. The impact analysis determined there would be only minor impacts to soils and waterbottoms, water quality, turbidity, protected wildlife species (i.e., marine mammals, bald and golden eagles, and migratory birds), benthic organisms, commercial and recreational fisheries, essential fish habitat, coastal barrier resources, air quality, and noise. No impacts to floodplains and flood control, salinity levels, protected/managed lands, or historic and cultural resources are anticipated. No impacts to minority or low-income populations are expected, and the proposed project would provide a long-term economic benefit to the shipping industry by making travel through the BRFG and CRL more efficient. Coordination is ongoing with applicable Federal and State agencies regarding potential project impacts and environmental compliance. Solicitation of Comments: The USACE is soliciting comments from the public, Federal, State, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Comments will be used in preparation of the Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement. Document Availability: Compact disc copies of the DIFR-EIS are available for viewing at the following libraries:Brazoria Library, 620 South Brooks, Brazoria, TX 77422 Clute Branch Library, 215 North Shanks Street, Clute, TX 77531 Freeport Library, 410 Brazosport Blvd., Freeport, TX 77541 Lake Jackson Library, 250 Circle Way, Lake Jackson, TX 77566 West Columbia Branch Library, 518 East Brazos, West Columbia, TX 77486 Bay City Public Library, 1100 7th Street, Bay City, TX 77414 Matagorda Branch Library, 800 Fisher Street, Matagorda, TX 77457 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/. Arnold R. Newman, Acting Director, Regional Planning and Environmental Center. [FR Doc. 2018-03852 Filed 2-23-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 38 / Monday, February 26, 2018 / Notices 8251
Responses per Respondent: 1.1, Missions/Civil-Works/Section408/) and DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
approximately. at http://www.regulations.gov reference
Annual Responses: 94. docket number COE–2018–0003. Department of the Army, Corps of
Average Burden per Response: 14.2 Engineers
hours, approximately. DATES: The public comment period that
Annual Response Burden Hours: began on February 5, 2018 (83 FR 5075) Availability of Draft Integrated
1,334. is extended until April 6, 2018. Feasibility Report and Environmental
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Impact Statement for the Gulf
Summary of Information Collection Intracoastal Waterway: Brazos River
identified by docket number COE–
The clause at DFARS 252.243–7002, 2018–0003 by any of the following Floodgates and Colorado River Locks
Requests for Equitable Adjustment, is methods: Systems Feasibility Study, Brazos and
prescribed at DFARS 243.205–71 for use Matagorda Counties, TX
in solicitations and contracts, including Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
solicitations and contracts using FAR www.regulations.gov. Follow the AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S.
part 12 procedures for the acquisition of instructions for submitting comments. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
commercial items that are estimated to Email: HQ-Section408@ ACTION: Notice of availability.
exceed the simplified acquisition usace.army.mil and include the docket SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
threshold. The clause requires number COE–2018–0003 or ‘‘EC 1165– Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
contractors to certify that requests for 2–220 Comments’’ in the subject line of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
equitable adjustment that exceed the the message. Galveston District (USACE) announces
simplified acquisition threshold are the release of the Draft Integrated
Mail: Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps
made in good faith and that the Feasibility Report and Environmental
of Engineers, ATTN: CECW–CE/3E62,
supporting data are accurate and Impact Statement (DIFR–EIS) for the
441 G Street NW, Washington, DC
complete. The clause also requires Recommended Plan of the Gulf
20314–1000.
contractors to fully disclose all facts Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW): Brazos
relevant to the requests for adjustment. Hand Delivery/Courier: Due to
security requirements, we cannot River Floodgates (BRFG) and Colorado
Jennifer L. Hawes, receive comments by hand delivery or River Locks (CRL) Systems Feasibility
Regulatory Control Officer, Defense courier. Study, Brazos and Matagorda Counties,
Acquisition Regulations System. TX. The DIFR–EIS documents the
[FR Doc. 2018–03856 Filed 2–23–18; 8:45 am]
Instructions: Instructions for existing condition of environmental
submitting comments are provided in resources in and around areas
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
the document published on February 5, considered for development, and
2018 (83 FR 5075). Consideration will potential impacts on those resources as
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE be given to all comments received by a result of implementing the
April 6, 2018. alternatives.
Department of the Army, Corps of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. DATES: The Galveston District will hold
Engineers Tammy Conforti at 202–761–4649, a public meeting for the DIFR–EIS on
Policy and Procedural Guidance for email HQ-Section408@usace.army.mil, March 13, 2018 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Processing Requests To Alter U.S. or visit http://www.usace.army.mil/ USACE will accept written public
Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Missions/Civil-Works/Section408/. comments on the DIFR–EIS from
Projects Pursuant to Section 408 February 26, 2018 to April 11, 2018.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the
Comments on the DIFR–EIS must be
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, February 5, 2018 issue of the Federal
postmarked by April 11, 2018.
DoD. Register (83 FR 5075), the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) published ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be
ACTION: Extension of comment period. held at the West Columbia Civic Center,
a notice announcing the availability of
a draft Engineer Circular (EC), which is 516 E. Brazos Ave. (State Highway 35),
SUMMARY: On February 5, 2018, the U.S.
an agency policy document, for a 30-day West Columbia, TX 77486. Comments
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
comment period. This draft EC provides may be submitted at the public meeting
published a notice announcing the
the proposed policies and procedures or mailed to the District Engineer, P.O.
availability of a draft Engineer Circular
related to how USACE will process Box 1229, Galveston, TX 77553.
(EC), which is an agency policy
certain requests by others to alter a Comments may also be sent to the
document, for a 30-day comment
USACE civil works project pursuant to District Engineer via email at BRFG_
period. This draft EC provides the
Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act CRL_FeasibilityStudy@usace.army.mil.
proposed policies and procedures
related to how USACE will process of 1899, as amended (more commonly FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
certain requests by others to alter a referred to as Section 408). Several Galveston District Public Affairs Office
USACE civil works project pursuant to entities have requested an extension of at 409–766–3004 or swgpao@
Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act the comment period. USACE finds that usace.army.mil.
of 1899, as amended (more commonly an extension of the comment period is SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority:
referred to as Section 408). This notice warranted. Therefore, the comment The lead agency for this proposed action
announces the extension of the period for the draft EC extended until is USACE. This study has been prepared
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
comment period by an additional 30 April 6, 2018. in response to the provision of funds in
days. The extension of the comment Dated: February 20, 2018. the Energy and Water Development
period is a result of requests by entities Appropriations Act of 1998, under the
James C. Dalton,
to allow more time to submit their authority of Section 216 of the 1970
comments. The draft EC is available for Director of Civil Works. Flood Control Act. The non-federal
review on the USACE Section 408 [FR Doc. 2018–03851 Filed 2–23–18; 8:45 am] sponsor is the Texas Department of
website (http://www.usace.army.mil/ BILLING CODE 3720–58–P Transportation (TxDOT).
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![8252 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 38 / Monday, February 26, 2018 / Notices
Background: The USACE, with input with open channel on the west side and and waterbottoms, water quality,
provided by the non-federal sponsor, a gate structure (125 feet wide) on the turbidity, protected wildlife species
TxDOT, and other Federal, State, and east side. The open channel on the west (i.e., marine mammals, bald and golden
local resource agencies, prepared the side changes the river reactions and the eagles, and migratory birds), benthic
GIWW BRFG/CRL DIFR–EIS. The overall sediment deposit distribution organisms, commercial and recreational
GIWW BRFG/CRL study was compared to the without-project fisheries, essential fish habitat, coastal
recommended for feasibility level condition. Modeling has determined barrier resources, air quality, and noise.
analysis after completion of a 2000 that sediments will result in an increase No impacts to floodplains and flood
reconnaissance report entitled, GIWW of 8% in dredging volumes and costs control, salinity levels, protected/
Modifications, Texas Section 905(b) above current levels. The current cost managed lands, or historic and cultural
Analysis, to determine federal interest. estimate for construction is
resources are anticipated. No impacts to
It encompassed two locations on the approximately $147.8 million including
GIWW along the Texas Coast. The BRFG contingencies. minority or low-income populations are
is located about 7 miles southwest of The Colorado River crossing portion expected, and the proposed project
Freeport, TX, at the crossings of the of the plan will also be in the existing would provide a long-term economic
Brazos River and the GIWW in Brazoria channel alignment and include gate benefit to the shipping industry by
County. The CRL are located near removal of the riverside gate structures making travel through the BRFG and
Matagorda, TX, at the intersection of the while retaining the outer gates, creating CRL more efficient. Coordination is
Colorado River and the GIWW in a wider (125 feet) channel and much ongoing with applicable Federal and
Matagorda County. longer forebay, reducing barge allisions State agencies regarding potential
In 1940, six 75-foot-wide gated with the guidewalls. For the Colorado project impacts and environmental
structures, which were designed to crossing, full gated structures remain, compliance.
control flows and silt into the GIWW at resulting in minimal changes to Solicitation of Comments: The
the Brazos and Colorado Rivers, were sediment distribution patterns. The USACE is soliciting comments from the
completed. The gates are closed during current cost estimate for construction is
public, Federal, State, and local
higher flow events, which generally approximately $36.9M including
carry more sediments, thus reducing contingencies. agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and
shoaling and therefore dredging in the To quantitatively analyze and other interested parties in order to
GIWW. Although the structural compare alternatives, monetized consider and evaluate the impacts of
improvements on both rivers helped to benefits of the alternatives were this proposed activity. Comments will
reduce shoaling, they created their own estimated using a stand-along model be used in preparation of the Final
set of delays to navigation. The narrow developed and approved for use by this Integrated Feasibility Report and
opening of the gated structure creates an study. Benefits were compared to costs Environmental Impact Statement.
impedance to the flow of water causing to develop benefit-cost ratios (BCR) and Document Availability: Compact disc
the water to swell and rise locally, net benefits estimates. The system BCR copies of the DIFR–EIS are available for
which accelerates the water through the for the Recommended Plan is 2.5. viewing at the following libraries:
structure, creating hazardous navigation Project Impacts and Environmental
conditions. At a certain level of swell, Compliance: The recommended plan • Brazoria Library, 620 South Brooks,
or head differential, navigation is would result in the loss of Brazoria, TX 77422
deemed too hazardous and the river approximately 6.0 acres of wetlands at • Clute Branch Library, 215 North
crossing is closed to navigation. The 75- the BRFG and 0.7 acre of wetlands at the Shanks Street, Clute, TX 77531
foot-wide opening also requires tows CRL, primarily due to excavation of
that are assembled to two barges wide temporary bypass channels. The USACE • Freeport Library, 410 Brazosport
to break down to single wide to traverse would provide onsite mitigation for the Blvd., Freeport, TX 77541
the structures. The narrow gate opening impacted wetlands in the form of • Lake Jackson Library, 250 Circle Way,
and crossing geometry create hazardous wetland creation. The proposed project Lake Jackson, TX 77566
cross currents and eddies, which when is not expected to adversely affect
• West Columbia Branch Library, 518
coupled with winds and other drivers federally listed threatened or
East Brazos, West Columbia, TX
are the cause for numerous vessel endangered species. A net increase in
sedimentation would occur at the BRFG 77486
impacts (allisions) to the structures.
These problems combine to create as a result of the Recommended Plan, • Bay City Public Library, 1100 7th
massive average delays to navigation, and maintenance dredging would be Street, Bay City, TX 77414
which became the single-most needed to prevent or reduce shoaling • Matagorda Branch Library, 800 Fisher
important economic driver and decision due to natural sediment deposition Street, Matagorda, TX 77457
point for the study process. The study processes.
process includes an in-depth Potential hazardous, toxic, and The document can also be viewed and
investigation of the existing practices radioactive waste (HTRW) concerns may downloaded from the Galveston District
and conditions for navigation as well as occur at the BRFG and CRL facilities, website: http://
an extrapolation of these practices and such as possible lead paint on the www.swg.usace.army.mil/Business-
conditions into the future to establish a structures and potential for With-Us/Planning-Environmental-
baseline, or without-project condition, contaminants in sediment deposits in Branch/Documents-for-Public-Review/.
to which all improvements, measures/ the areas. These areas will be tested as
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
alternatives, can be measured. appropriate and, depending on the Arnold R. Newman,
Recommended Plan: The sediment sample results, there will be Acting Director, Regional Planning and
Recommended Plan includes structural additional efforts for disposal, Environmental Center.
measures for both the Brazos and treatment, or additional health and [FR Doc. 2018–03852 Filed 2–23–18; 8:45 am]
Colorado River crossings. The Brazos safety requirements during construction. BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
River crossing portion of the plan will The impact analysis determined there
be in the existing channel alignment would be only minor impacts to soils
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Document Created: 2018-02-24 01:00:48
Document Modified: 2018-02-24 01:00:48
| 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 | The Galveston District will hold a public meeting for the DIFR- EIS on March 13, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. USACE will accept written public comments on the DIFR-EIS from February 26, 2018 to April 11, 2018. Comments on the DIFR-EIS must be postmarked by April 11, 2018. | |
| Contact | Galveston District Public Affairs Office at 409-766-3004 or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 8251 |
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