Chesapeake and Delaware Canal-Baltimore Harbor Connecting Channels (Deepening) Feasibility Study

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Corps of Engineers

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal-Baltimore Harbor Connecting

Channels (Deepening) Feasibility Study

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District will

hold a public meeting on Tuesday July 9, 1996 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

at the Bohemia Manor High School on Route 213 in Chesapeake City,

Maryland. The meeting is being held to discuss the recently completed

draft feasibility report titled: Chesapeake and Delaware Canal-

Baltimore Harbor Connecting Channels (Deepening) Delaware and Maryland,

Draft Feasibility Report and Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The

report evaluates the present authorized dimensions and operations of

the canal and bay channels, and considers the need to better

accommodate current and future shipping traffic. The report was

submitted on May 10, 1996 for a formal public review that will last

until June 24, 1996.The feasibility study is being cost-shared by the

Federal government and the Maryland Department of Transportation-

Maryland Port Administration, the non-Federal project sponsor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Frank Master, Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East,

Philadelphia, PA. 19107-3390, (215) 656-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The goal of the study is to determine an

appropriate plan for the efficient use and development of the

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Bay System. The study considered

structural and non-structural measures that could be implemented to

increase the efficiency of the navigation channel, and dredged material

disposal capacity requirements for a 50 year study period. Alternatives

were evaluated with regard to potential impacts to the natural and

social environments.

Based on economic and environmental analyses, the selected plan

consists of a navigation project for the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

and the Baltimore Harbor Connecting Channels. The plan provides for a

full width channel (450 and 600 feet) with a 40-foot mean low water

(MLW) depth and an allowable overdepth of 1 foot,

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the enlargement of the Reedy Point flare, bend widening at Sandy Point,

and construction of an emergency anchorage at Howell Point. The plan

also includes aids to navigation and lands, easements, rights-of-way,

and disposal areas as required for the initial construction and

maintenance of the project. Dredged material quantities for the project

are approximately 18.0 million cubic yards.

The selected dredged material disposal plan includes the use of

several existing upland disposal sites and one open water site for

initial construction. Dredged material (4,244,200 cubic yards) from

Reach 1 would be placed in the existing upland dredged material

disposal areas located on the C&D Canal: Biddles Point, Goose Point,

St. Georges, and Summit East. Dredged material from Reach 2 (1,679,700

cubic yards) will be placed in the existing Bethel upland disposal

area. In Reach 3, 2,283,100 cubic yards of dredged material will be

placed in the existing upland disposal sites Pearce Creek and

Courthouse Point. In Reach 4, 2,158,600 cubic yards of dredged material

will be placed in a proposed overboard location immediately east of the

existing G-West site near Pooles Island in the upper bay, referred to

as G-East. Dredged material from Reach 5 (4,264,100 cubic yards) and

Reach 6 (3,329,100 cubic yards) will be placed in the existing Hart-

Miller Island containment area located near Baltimore Harbor.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, a

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been prepared for this

project and has been circulated to the appropriate state and federal

agencies; local, state, and federal officials; and private

organizations. The public and all agencies are invited to comment on

this proposal. Copies of the Draft Feasibility Report and Draft

Environmental Impact Statement are available for public review at the

Philadelphia District Office.

Impacts to water quality have been evaluated in accordance with the

Section 404(b)(1) guidelines of the Clean Water Act, and are not

adverse. In accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, Water

Quality Certification has been requested from the Maryland Department

of the Environment and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and

Environmental Control.

In accordance with Section 307(c) of the Coastal Zone Management

Act of 1972, an activity affecting land or water uses in a state's

coastal zone must comply with the state's Coastal Zone Management

Program. A certification of compliance has been requested from both the

Maryland Department of the Environment and the Delaware Department of

Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

It has been determined that the proposed work would not have a

significant adverse impact on listed species or their critical habitat,

pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended.

Updated consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the

National Marine Fisheries Service would occur prior to project

implementation to insure compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered

Species Act.

Review of the National Register of Historic Places indicates that

no registered properties, or properties listed as eligible for

inclusion, would be impacted.

All practicable means to avoid or minimize adverse environmental

effects have been incorporated into the recommended plan.

Robert L. Callegari,

Chief, Planning Division.

[FR Doc. 96-14379 Filed 6-6-96; 8:45 am]

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