[Federal Register: June 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 107)]
[Notices]               
[Page 30481]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04jn98-46]


[[Page 30481]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

 
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Raritan Bay-Sandy Hook Bay, Port Monmouth, New Jersey

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(Corps) is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for 
proposed measures to provide flood control and storm damage protection 
in Port Monmouth, New Jersey. For this Notice of Intent, the Corps is 
considering protection measures to reduce damages caused by flooding 
and coastal storms. The EIS will be prepared according to the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers procedures for implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, (NEPA) 42 U.S.C. 
4332(2)(C), and consistent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' 
policy to facilitate public understanding and scrutiny of agency 
proposals. This notice of intent is published as required by the 
President's Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing 
the provisions of NEPA, 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions regarding the action can be addressed to Mark H. Burlas, 
Project Environmental Manager, phone (212) 264-4663, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, New York District, Planning Division, 26 Federal Plaza, New 
York, New York 10278-0090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    1. Authorization. The Raritan Bay-Sandy Hook Bay flood control and 
shore protection project was authorized by the U.S. House of 
Representatives, Committee of Public Works and Transportation, adopted 
August 1, 1990.
    2. Location of the Proposed Action. The project area is located in 
the Port Monmouth section of Middletown Township, Monmouth County, New 
Jersey. The study area is approximately 1.5 miles long and is bounded 
by Comptons Creek to the east, Pews Creek to the west, New Jersey State 
Highway 36 to the south and the Raritan Bay-Sandy Hook Bay to the 
north.
    3. Reasonable Alternative Actions. In addition to the ``No Action'' 
alternative, the flood control component of the feasibility study will 
evaluate alternatives such as buy-outs, storm gates and floodwalls to 
avoid and minimize impacts to coastal wetlands, as well as various 
levee layouts and heights. The shore protection component will analyze 
alternatives such as the expansion of existing dunes and various 
improvements to existing beaches.
    4. Significant Issues Requiring In-Depth Analysis. 1. Coastal 
Wetlands Impacts; 2. Impacts to Aquatic Resources; 3. Archaeological 
and Cultural Resources Impacts; 4. Hydrology Impacts; 5. Economic 
Impacts.
    5. Environmental Review and Consultation. Review will be conducted 
as outlined in the Council on Environmental Quality regulations dated 
November 29, 1983 (40 CFR Parts 1500-108) and U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers regulation ER 200-2-2 dated March 4, 1988.
    6. Estimated Date of DEIS Availability: July 1998.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-14852 Filed 6-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-06-M