Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Daniel Island Terminal Located in the City of Charleston, Berkeley County, South Carolina and Notice of Public Hearing

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Charleston District has prepared a DEIS on the proposed marine cargo terminal on Daniel Island which is located in the City of Charleston, Berkeley County, South Carolina. This project is proposed by the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SPA).

1. Description of Proposed Project

The proposed project is the creation by the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) of a marine cargo terminal compex at Daniel Island in the City of Charleston, Berkeley County, South Carolina, which includes the following components: approximately 1,300 acres of port terminal development at the south end of Daniel Island to include cargo marshaling areas, cargo processing areas, cargo-handling facilities, intermodal rail facilities, and related terminal operating facilities; approximately 7,000 feet of wharf and berthing area on the Cooper River and approximately 5,000 feet of wharf and berthing area of the Wando River; approximately 37 acres of dredged berthing area; associated improvements to the Wando River Federal Channel; approximately 2.5 miles of multi-lane roadway construction between the proposed terminal site and Interstate I-526; approximately 13 miles of rail connecting the proposed terminal facilities to the East Cooper and Berkeley Railroad; and a rail bridge and road bridge over Beresford Creek.

2. Alternatives

The following alternatives were evaluated in the DEIS: No Action; the Proposed Project; a combination of the Wando River side of Daniel Island and a portion of the former Naval Base; a combination of the Cooper River side of Daniel Island, a portion of the Naval Base, and the existing Columbus Street Terminal. Multiple alternative road and rail corridors to serve the alternative terminal locations were also evaluated, as were design alternatives for each of the facilities.

3. Scoping and Public Involvement Process

Two scoping meetings were held on June 24, 1997, in order to gather information on the subjects to be studied in detail in the DEIS, one specifically for the Federal and State agencies with regulatory responsibilities and one for the general public. Four public information meetings were held in order to provide an arena for the exchange of information regarding the proposed project and the EIS. These meetings were held in September 1997, December 1997, March 1998 and September 1998. Five community outreach meetings were held. These meetings were held at the request of the community to address specific issues and concerns.

4. Significant Issues

Issues associated with the proposed facilities which received a significant level of analysis in the DEIS include, but are not limited to, the potential impacts of the proposed dredging, placement of fill, construction and operation of the proposed terminal and surface transportation facilities, and of induced developments on: wetland resources; upland and aquatic biotic communities; water quality; fish and wildlife values including threatened and endangered species; noise and light levels in areas adjoining the proposed facilities; air quality; land forms and geologic resources; community cohesion; environmental justice; roadway traffic; socioeconomic environment; archaeological and cultural resources; recreation and recreational resources; Section 4(f) and Section 6(f) properties (parks and/or sites of cultural significance); public infrastructure and services; energy supply and natural resources; hazardous wastes and materials; land use; aesthetics; public health and safety; parklands; prime farmlands; ecologically critical areas; navigation;

flood plain values; shoreline erosion and accretion; Essential Fish Habitat; and the needs and welfare of the people.

5. Cooperating Agencies

The U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Surface Transportation Board, and the U.S. Coast Guard were cooperating agencies in the development of the DEIS.

6. Additional Review and Consultation

Additional review and consultation which was incorporated into the DEIS includes: compliance with the South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act; protection of cultural resources under Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act; protection of water quality under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act; coordination under Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Resource, and Sanctuaries Act; and protection of endangered and threatened species under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

7. Availability of the DEIS

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be available on September 17, 1999. Mark S. Held, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer. [FR Doc. 99-23933 Filed 9-13-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-CH-M