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Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Las Americas Transshipment Port Complex Being Proposed by the Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority (AFI, Acronym in Spanish)
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: August 28, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 167)]
[Notices]
[Page 45288-45290]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28au01-50]
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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 Las Americas Transshipment Port Complex Being Proposed by the
Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority (AFI, Acronym in
Spanish)
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: AFI is proposing the development of the Las Americas
Transshipment Port Complex in Puerto Rico. The proposal includes the
development of hubs at one or more sites on the south coast of Puerto
Rico, in the Municipalities of Ponce, Penuelas, and Guayanilla. At the
proposed site(s), the proposed terminals would need Section 10 of the
Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act permits.
There is a possibility that permits pursuant to Section 103 of the
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act may be required for at
one or more sites.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edwin E. Muniz, (787) 729-6905/6944,
Chief, Antilles Regulatory Section, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 400
Fernandez Juncos Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In September 1999, the Corps of Engineers
published a report titled Preliminary Transshipment Port Assessment for
Puerto Rico. This study was performed at the request of the Puerto Rico
Ports Authority (PRPA). This report includes a preliminary assessment
of alternative sites for a potential new transshipment port to be
located in Puerto Rico. The sites considered were locations that have
the potential to support deep-draft navigation and associated
facilities. A total of thirteen sites were considered. The assessment
was based on available information combined with the professional
knowledge of the Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District staff, in
the planning of waterway systems and associated port development. The
assessment was considered preliminary in nature, and it was not
prepared to be used as the sole source of information from which to
make a final site selection. Nevertheless, the assessment made a
recommendation on the most suitable sites. The assessment also
recommended further studies that will help provide the additional
detailed information required for making a more informed decision
concerning the most appropriate location for a future transshipment
site.
AFI is proposing the development of the Las Americas Transshipment
Port Complex in Puerto Rico. The proposal includes the development of
hubs at one or more sites on the south coast of Puerto Rico, in the
Municipalities of Ponce, Penuelas and Guayanilla. AFI stated that a
transshipment port complex would represent a major infrastructure
development for all Puerto Rico, especially in the south coast of the
island.
In the development of a transshipment port complex, there would be
considerable dredge and fill activities in the proposed project area,
impacting significant wetlands and other special aquatic sites, and
other resources. The proposed action may significantly affect the
pattern and type of land use (industrial, commercial, agricultural,
recreational, residential) and/or growth and distribution of
population, may have significant adverse effects on wetlands, including
indirect and cumulative effects, or any major part of a structure or
facility constructed or operated under the proposed action may be
located in wetlands. Also, the proposed action may significantly affect
threatened and endangered species or their habitats identified in the
Department of the Interior's list.
Pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act structures the
Corps of Engineers has regulatory authority over structures and/or work
in or affecting navigable waters of the United States. under Section
404 of the Clean Water Act, the Corps of Engineers has regulatory
authority to permit the discharge of dredged or fill material into
wetlands and other waters of the United States. Also, under Section 103
of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, the Corps of
Engineers has regulatory authority over the transportation of dredged
material for the purpose of dumping it in ocean waters at dumping sites
designated under 40 CFR part 228. The guidelines pursuant to section
404(b) of the act require that impacts to the aquatic environment be
avoided and minimized to the extent practicable. Permit applications
for the transportation of dredged material for the purpose of dumping
it in ocean waters will be evaluated to determine whether the proposed
dumping will unreasonably degrade or endanger human health, welfare,
amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems or economic
potentialities.
[[Page 45289]]
In determining whether to issue a permit, the Corps must also
comply with other requirements including, but not limited to, the
Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the
Coastal Zone Management Act, the Magnunson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and other
applicable Federal laws. Modifying land for new uses also involves
zoning, land use planning, water management, and other regulatory/
planning requirements at the local, Commonwealth, and Federal level.
Alternatives: AFI has presented three alternatives for the
development of a transshipment port in Puerto Rico. These alternatives
are as follows:
Alternative 1: Immediate development of a deep draft navigation
harbor at the Guayanilla and Ponce Bays to accommodate Post-Panamax
vessels at both ports. In the Guayanilla Bay this alternative would
entail the construction of a 6,000 feet long pier with support
facilities capable of handling as many as four Post-Panamax vessels at
Punta Guayanilla Peninsula; the discharge of fill material in
approximately 110 acres of navigable waters in the Punta Gotay area,
Punta Guayanilla Peninsula, for the development of loading-unloading
storage area and other support facilities; the development of a 480
acre parcel owned by Union Carbide in Penuelas adjoining Punta
Guayanilla (where a petrochemical complex previously operated and
recently selected by the Environmental Protection Agency for inclusion
in the Brownfield RCRA Program) for added value activities
(approximately 10 acres of wetlands would be filled for the development
of value-added activities); and the development and/or improvement of
other infrastructure within the Guayanilla Harbor needed to operate the
Port efficiently. In Ponce this alternative would consist in the
expansion of the existing piers to a length of about 3,000 feet to
allow simultaneous handling of as many as two Post-Panamax vessels; the
immediate dredging of the navigation channel and berthing areas to a
minimum depth of 45 feet to allow the navigation of Post-Panamax
vessels and the disposal of the dredged material at either the EPA
designated ocean disposal site and/or uplands; and the development of a
90 acres of land adjacent to the port for value-added activities.
Alternative 2: Immediate development of a deep draft navigation
harbor at the Guayanilla to handle Post-Panamax vessels and immediate
improvements to the Port of Ponce to handle Panamax-class vessels and
eventual dredging (5 to 10 years) of the navigation channel and
berthing areas to further allow the Port of Ponce to handle Post-
Panamax vessels. In the Guayanilla Bay this alternative would entail
the construction of a 6,000 feet long pier with support facilities
capable of handling as many as four Post-Panamax vessels at Punta
Guayanilla Peninsula; the discharge of fill material in approximately
110 acres of navigable waters in the Punta Gotay area, Punta Guayanilla
Peninsula, for the development of loading-unloading storage area and
other support facilities; the development of a 480 acre parcel owned by
Union Carbide in Penuelas adjoining Punta Guayanilla (where a
petrochemical complex previously operated and recently selected by the
Environmental Protection Agency for inclusion in the Brownfield RCRA
program) for added value activities (approximately 10 acres of wetlands
would be filled for the development of value-added activities); and the
development and/or improvement of other infrastructure within the
Guayanilla Harbor needed to operate the Port efficiently. In Ponce,
this alternative would consist of the expansion of the existing piers
to a length of about 3,000 feet to initially allow Panamax-type vessels
and eventually Post-Panamax vessels; the development of a 90 acres of
land adjacent to the port for value-added activities; and the eventual
or long-term dredging (5 to 10 years) of the navigation channel and
berthing areas to a minimum depth of 45 feet to allow the navigation of
Post-Panamax vessels and the disposal of the dredged material at either
the EPA designated ocean disposal site and/or uplands.
Alternative 3: Immediate development of a deep draft navigation
harbor at the Guayanilla to handle Post-Panamax vessels and immediate
rehabilitation of the Port of Ponce to handle Panamax-class vessels. In
the Guayanilla Bay this alternative would entail the construction of a
6,000 feet long pier with support facilities capable of handling as
many as four Post-Panamax vessels at Punta Guayanilla Peninsula; the
discharge of fill material in approximately 110 acres of navigable
waters in the Punta Gotay area, Punta Guayanilla Peninsula, for the
development of loading-unloading storage area and other support
facilities; the development of a 480 acre parcel owned by Union Carbide
in Penuelas adjoining Punta Guayanilla (where a petrochemical complex
previously operated and recently selected by the Environmental
Protection Agency for inclusion in the Brownfield RCRA Program) for
added value activities (approximately 10 acres of wetlands would be
filled for the development of value-added activities); and the
development and/or improvement of other infrastructure within the
Guayanilla Harbor needed to operate the Port efficiently. In Ponce,
this alternative would consist of the expansion of the existing piers
to a length of about 3,000 feet to allow of Panamax-type vessels; and
the development of a 90 acres of land adjacent to the port for value-
added activities.
In addition to the above alternatives, the no action alternative
and alternatives identified in the Corps of Engineers Preliminary
Transshipment Port Assessment For Puerto Rico would also be considered,
as well as any other alternative identified during scoping process.
Issues: The EIS will consider impacts on protected species, health,
conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns,
wetlands (and other aquatic resources), historic properties, fish and
wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use,
navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply
and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber
production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and,
in general, the needs and welfare of the people, and other issues
identified through scoping, public involvement, and interagency
coordination.
Scoping: On April 4, 2001, AFI conducted a transshipment port
complex scoping technical meeting with Federal and state Agencies.
Additional scoping meeting(s) will be held by the Corps of Engineers
with Federal and State Agencies. At this time, there are no plans for a
public scoping meeting. If a public scoping meeting is held by the
Corps of Engineers, it will be announced. In addition Federal, state
and local agencies, as well as interested private organizations and
individuals are strongly encouraged to suggest additional alternatives
for consideration and otherwise submit comments on the scope of the
DEIS.
Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected
Federal, state, and local agencies, and other interested private
organizations and individuals by submitting written comments to the
information contact provided in this notice.
Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with a
number of
[[Page 45290]]
Federal, Commonwealth, and local agencies including but not limited to
the following: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine
Fisheries Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Coast
Guard, Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources,
Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, Puerto Rico Planning Board,
Puerto Rico State Historic Preservation Officer, and other agencies as
identified in scoping, public involvement, and agency coordination.
Other Environmental Review and Consultation: The proposed action
would involve evaluation for compliance with guidelines pursuant to
Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act, public interest review,
application for Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of
the Clean Water Act, and determination of Coastal Zone Management Act
consistency.
DEIS Preparation: We estimate that the DEIS will be available to
the public on or about November 15, 2001.
Dated: August 20, 2001.
John R. Hall,
Chief, Regulatory Division.
[FR Doc. 01-21698 Filed 8-27-01; 8:45 am]
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