Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Dare County Beaches, Dare County, North Carolina

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Corps of Engineers

Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

for Dare County Beaches, Dare County, North Carolina

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Dare County beaches study area is located on the northern

coast of North Carolina about 40 miles south of the North Carolina-

Virginia state line. This area is at risk from hurricanes and winter

storms which regularly damage or destroy structures near the shoreline.

The proposed shoreline protection project involves the placement of

berm and, where necessary, establishment of a dune line. Ongoing

feasibility studies have identified potential project areas that cover

a total shoreline distance of about 10 miles located north of Oregon

Inlet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the DEIS can be

answered by: Mr. Charles Wilson, Environmental Resources Section, at

the U.S. Army Engineer District, Wilmington, P.O. Box 1890, Wilmington,

North Carolina 28402-1890; telephone: (910) 251-4746.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed hurricane and storm damage

reduction project would consist of a berm or combination of berm and

dune, to be constructed along various reaches of the oceanfront within

the study area. The selection of final project features and reaches for

inclusion in the recommended plan will be based on a maximization of

net project benefits. The sand volume required for project construction

is expected to range from about 2.5 to 10.5 million cubic yards.

Depending on the dredge plant utilized and dredging windows,

construction time is estimated to be about 2 years or less. Potential

offshore sources of borrow material for the project have been

identified. Maintenance of project reaches are expected to require

periodic renourishment every 3 to 5 years; however, renourishment of

portions of the project area could be required more frequently. The

periodic renourishment volume is expected to be 1 to 4 million cubic

years.

Alternatives to be evaluated include variations of project

dimensions/features and no action. Alternative methods of beach

nourishment and dredging of offshore borrow areas will also be

evaluated including the use of an ocean-certified hydraulic pipeline or

hopper dredge.

All private interests and Federal, State, and local agencies having

an interest in the project are hereby notified and are invited to

comment. A scoping letter requesting input to the study will be sent to

all known interested parties concurrent with publication of this NOI.

Comments received will be used to assist in identifying potential

impacts to the quality of the environment and preparation of the DEIS.

No formal scoping meetings are planned at this time, but based on the

responses received, scoping meetings may be held with specific agencies

or individuals as required.

A significant issue to be addressed in the DEIS is a determination

of the most appropriate time of year for dredging and beach

nourishment. The DEIS is being prepared in accordance with the

requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as

amended, and will address the project's relationship to all applicable

Federal and State laws and Executive Orders.

The Draft EIS is currently scheduled for distribution to the public

in August 1997.

Gregory D. Showalter,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-19334 Filed 7-22-97; 8:45 am]

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