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

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-16642

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Notice
- **Published:** June 23, 1998
- **Citation:** 63 FR 34151

## Text

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 34152]]

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

[[Page 34153]]

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

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-16642. Public record. Not legal advice.