Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the West ShoreLake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, Hurricane Protection Feasibility Study

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of Army

Corps of Engineers

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

for the West Shore--Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, Hurricane Protection

Feasibility Study

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District

proposes to determine the feasibility of providing protection against

hurricane-induced flooding for residents located in portions of St.

Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James Parishes, Louisiana. The

study area, with a population in excess of 25,000 residents, is bounded

by the Bonnet Carre Spillway to the east, the Mississippi River to the

south, Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas to the north, and the St.

James/Ascension Parish line to the west. There are no Federal hurricane

protection projects protecting the study area from a tidal surge coming

from Lake Pontchartrain and Maurepas. The vulnerability of the study

area to a hurricane tidal surge is demonstrated by the fact that there

are an estimated 1,000 residential structures subject to flooding from

the 25-year storm, 3,990 residential structures subject to flooding

from the 100-year storm, and 4,020 residential structures subject to

flooding from the 500-year storm. The equivalent annual flood damages

for the without-project conditions are estimated at $9.4 million. A

reconnaissance study completed in June 1997, evaluated two alternative

alignments for providing hurricane protection to the study area at the

100-year and the standard project hurricane (SPH) levels of protection.

Both alternative alignments were determined to be economically

justified at both levels of protection. Hence, the reconnaissance

report recommended that the study proceed to the feasibility phase,

contingent upon the execution of a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement

(FCSA) with a non-Federal Sponsor. An FCSA was executed with the

Pontchartrain Levee District on March 16, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the proposed

action should be directed to the study manager, Mr. Brett H. Herr,

CEMVN-PD-FG, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans, Louisiana 70160-0267,

telephone (504) 862-2495. Questions regarding the DEIS may be directed

to Dr. William P. Klein, Jr., CEMVN-PD-RS, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans,

Louisiana 70160-0267, telephone (504) 862-2450.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authority

The study was authorized by a resolution adopted on July 29, 1971,

by the Committee on Public Works of the U.S. House of Representatives;

and by a resolution adopted on September 20, 1974, by the Committee on

Public Works of the U.S. Senate.

2. Proposed Action

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District proposes to

investigate the feasibility of providing hurricane protection to

residents living west of the Bonnet Carre Spillway between the

Mississippi River and Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas. The study area

is located on the ``east bank'' of the Mississippi River and includes

portions of St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James Parishes.

3. Study Alternatives

Two alternative alignments for providing hurricanes protection to

the study area were evaluated during the reconnaissance study phase.

The two alignments are identical except for a portion located west of

Belle Terre Boulevard. Both alignments (Plan 1 and Plan 2) begin at the

west guide levee of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, approximately 2 miles

south of Lake Pontchartrain. Both alignments end at U.S. Highway 61 in

the vicinity of the Reserve Relief Canal. The alignment for Plan 1 more

closely follows the existing limits of development and encloses less

wooded swamps and bottomland hardwoods than Plan 2. The alignment for

Plan 2 parallels Interstate 10 for an additional 1.2 miles west of the

Belle Terre Boulevard interchange before turning to the southwest and

heading back towards U.S. Highway 61. The alignments for Plan 1 and

Plan 2 do not follow the wetland/nonwetland interface. Plan 1 and Plan

2 would enclose approximately 3,269 acres and 4,614 acres of wooded

swamps and bottomland hardwoods, respectively.

An alternative alignment (Plan 3), provided by the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be evaluated during this study. This

USFWS alignment more closely follows the existing wetlands/non-wetlands

interface. These three alternative plans, along with other alternative

plans developed during the feasibility phase, will be evaluated in more

detail such that the level of protection provided by the proposed

action will be optimized based on an economic analysis of the benefits

and costs. Design features will be fully evaluated to ensure compliance

with current Federal and state laws and regulations. Any adverse

effects of the alternative plans will be identified and appropriate

mitigation measures will be included in the plans. An Environmental

Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared during the feasibility phase

because of the potential for significant direct and indirect impacts on

the human environment in general, and on large tracts of forested

wetlands, in particular.

4. Scoping Process

An intensive public involvement program will be initiated and

maintained throughout the study to solicit input from affected Federal,

state, and local agencies, Indian tribes, and interested private

organizations and individuals. Scoping is a critical component of the

overall public involvement program. The scoping process is designed to

provide an early and open means of determining the scope of issues

(problems, needs, and opportunities) to be identified and addressed in

the DEIS.

5. Public Scoping Meeting

In the summer of 1998, the New Orleans District of the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers will hold at least one public meeting in the study

area to receive oral and written comments on the proposed action.

Notices will be mailed to the affected and interested public once the

date of the public scoping meeting has been established. Comments

received as a result of the scoping meeting will be compiled and

analyzed; and a Scoping Document, summarizing the results, will be made

available to all participants.

6. Interagency Coordination

The Department of Interior will provide a Fish and Wildlife

Coordination Act Report. Coordination will be maintained with the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service

on threatened and endangered species. Coordination will be maintained

with the Natural Resources Conservation Service regarding prime and

unique farmlands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be consulted

regarding the ``Swampbuster'' provisions of the Food Security Act. We

will prepare a Section 404(b)(1) evaluation. Coordination will be

maintained with the Advisory Counsel on Historic Preservation and the

State Historic Preservation Officer. The Louisiana Department of

Natural Resources will be consulted regarding consistency with the

Coastal Zone Management Act. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and

Fisheries will be contacted concerning potential impacts to Natural and

Scenic Streams. Application will be made to the Louisiana Department of

Environmental Quality for a Water Quality Certificate.

7. Availability of DEIS

It is anticipated that the DEIS will be available for public review

during the

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summer of 2000. A 45-day review period will be allowed so that all

interested agencies, groups and individuals will have an opportunity to

comment on the draft report and EIS. In addition, a public meeting will

be held during the review period to receive comments and address

questions concerning the draft EIS.

Dated: June 9, 1998.

William L. Conner,

Colonel, U.S. Army, District Engineer.

[FR Doc. 98-16642 Filed 6-22-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3710-84-M