Intend To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for Proposed Improvements to the Cheasapeake & Delaware Canal and Connecting Channels, Delaware and Maryland

1. Proposed Action

a. The proposed document will address outstanding economic issues including the appropriate channel depth. Potential environmental impacts will be further evaluated, including possible impacts to groundwater quality from the disposal of dredged material, loss of groundwater into the canal/river, bank erosion, impacts to aquatic resources and water quality impacts in the Chesapeake Bay. b. The authority for the proposed project is the resolution adopted by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and Transportation September 8, 1988. c. The resolution authorized the review of existing reports of the Chief of Engineers for the Inland Waterway-Delaware River to Chesapeake Bay, Delaware and Maryland, and the report on the Baltimore Harbor and Channels, Maryland, with a view to determine the feasibility of measures to promote and encourage the efficient, economic, and logical development of the channel system serving the Port of Baltimore.

2. Alternatives

In response to the study resolution a reconnaissance report was completed in February 1990 at 100% Federal expense. The results indicated there was Federal interest in further feasibility phase studies of improvements to the canal and the connecting channels. The feasibility phase of study was cost-shared 50%-50% between the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) and the Federal government and was completed in December 1996 with the issuance of the Chief of Engineers' report. The Chief of Engineers' report concluded that the plan developed by the reporting officers was engineeringly sound. The review also found that the Reedy Point entrance flare, bend widening at Sandy Point, and the establishment of an emergency anchorage at Howell Point were economically justified. However, questions remain regarding the appropriate channel depth which are to be addressed during this phase of study (Planning, Engineering and Design).

3. Scoping

a. The Planning, Engineering and Design (PED) phase was initiated 8 April 1997 with the execution of a cost sharing agreement between the Federal government and the MPA. As part of the PED phase a working group has been established to help disseminate information to the interested public, review the information, make suggestions on the study process, and assure that all the issues are addressed. Also, as part of the PED phase, several repositories have been established at local libraries, Corps offices, and the MPA offices. The repositories contain pertinent reports from the feasibility study as well as information developed during the on-going PED phase. b. The scoping process is on-going and has involved coordination with Federal, State, and local agencies and interest groups. The public and all agencies are invited to comment on this proposal. Any pertinent information that Federal, State or local agencies or the private sector can provide will be used to the greatest extent possible. We welcome any assistance and suggestions pertaining to the conduct of this study. All comments should be directed to the above address, Attn: CENAP-PL-E.

4. Availability

It is estimated that the DSEIS will be made available to the public in Spring 2000. Leonard J. Lipski, Assistant Chief of Planning Division. [FR Doc. 98-30084 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-08-M