Notice of Availability for the Draft Baltimore Harbor and Anchorages, Maryland and Virginia Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)Project Location is Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Corps of Engineers

Notice of Availability for the Draft Baltimore Harbor and

Anchorages, Maryland and Virginia Feasibility Study and Environmental

Impact Statement (EIS)--Project Location is Baltimore City, Baltimore

County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, has

prepared a Draft Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement

for maritime improvements for Baltimore Harbor and Anchorages, Maryland

and Virginia. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the District is

conducting public coordination and distributing the documents for

public review and comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Questions about the proposed actions, Feasibility Study, and EIS can be

addressed to Study Manager, Baltimore Harbor Anchorages and Channels,

Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENAB-PL-P,

P.O. 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, telephone (410) 962-6139. E-

mail:

[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Port of Baltimore is located on a 32

square mile area of the Patapsco River and its tributaries,

approximately 12 miles northwest of the Chesapeake Bay. From its

central location on the Chesapeake Bay nearly 150 miles inland from the

Atlantic Ocean, Baltimore can easily provide service to America's

Midwestern markets as well as other ports along the Atlantic coast.

Since 1980, over one-half billion dollars have been spent on maritime

improvements in the Port of Baltimore in efforts to meet the needs of

the diverse commercial shipping market.

1. Continuing with the Port of Baltimore's commitment to ongoing

maritime improvement this study recommends: widening the West Dundalk

and Seagirt-Connecting Channels to 500 feet; widening the East Dundalk

Channel to 400 feet; establishing a channel 36 feet deep and 400 feet

wide in the area of the old Produce Wharf Channel at South Locust

Point; deepening a portion of Anchorage #3 to 42 feet deep and 2,200

feet wide by 2,200 feet long; deepening of Anchorage #4 to 42 feet deep

and 1,800 feet wide by 1,800 feet long; constructing a turning basin at

the head of the Fort McHenry Channel, 1,200 feet wide by 1,200 feet

long, and 50 feet deep; Federal assumption of maintenance of the

existing Seagirt Marine Terminal, Dundalk Marine Terminal and South

Locust Point Marine Terminal channels, exclusive of berthing areas, and

Federal maintenance of a 42-foot depth in the area between the

Connecting Channel and the proposed Seagirt Marine Terminal Berth 4

upon completion of dredging to that depth by the State of Maryland; and

deauthorization of Anchorage #1. The proposed improvements are expected

to require the placement of approximately 4.4 million cubic yards of

dredged material at the Hart-Miller Island placement site.

2. The decision to implement this action is being based on an

evaluation of the probable impact of the proposed activities on the

public interest. The decision will reflect the national concern for

both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits

which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposed project

are being balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All

factors which may be relevant to the proposal, including the cumulative

effects thereof, are being considered; among these factors are

economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands,

cultural values, flood hazards, fish and wildlife values, flood plain

values, land use, recreation, water supply and conservation, water

quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, and the

general needs and welfare of the people.

3. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describes the

impacts of the proposed projects on environmental and cultural

resources in the study area. The EIS also applies guidelines issued by

the Environmental Protection Agency, under authority of the Clean Water

Act of 1977 (Pub. L. 95-217). An evaluation of the proposed actions on

the waters of the United States was performed pursuant to the

guidelines of the Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

under authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The proposed

dredging, construction, and placement of dredged material is in

compliance with Section 404(b)(1) guidelines.

4. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the

Clean Water Act, the Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the

public, Federal, state and local agencies and officials, and other

interested parties. Any comments received will be considered by the

Corps of Engineers in the decision to implement the project. To make

this decision, comments are considered to assess impacts on endangered

species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental

effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments

regarding the proposed project will be incorporated into the Final

Environmental Impact Statement as required by NEPA. Public comments

will also be used to determine the overall public interest. Notice of a

public meeting will be published at a later date. Informal meetings

have been held in order to present information to citizen interest

groups, officials, and regional planners. The public review and comment

period for the draft feasibility study and draft EIS will begin on 24

January 1997 and close on 9 March 1997. Comments received will be

incorporated into the final EIS.

5. This Notice of Availability is being sent to organizations and

individuals known to have an interest in the proposed maritime

improvements. Please bring this notice to the attention of any other

individuals with an interest in this matter. Copies of the Draft EIS

are available for review at the following locations:

Baltimore County Public Library, North Point Branch, 1716

Merritt Boulevard, Baltimore MD.

Anne Arundel County Public Library, North County Branch,

1010 Eastway Dr. Glen Burnie MD.

Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore,

MD.

6. Requests for copies of the EIS may be mailed to the following

address: District Engineer, Attn: CENAB-PL, U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, Baltimore

[[Page 3667]]

District, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715.

Gregory D. Showalter,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-1717 Filed 1-23-97; 8:45 am]

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