Public comment period open until June 3, 2016
NEW YORK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) with Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (DFONSI) for the proposed Montauk Point, NY, Coastal Storm Risk Management Project and the opening of a 30-day review period for the public to submit written comments.
With the passage of Public Law 113-2, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, the Army Corps has been provided the authority and funding to complete ongoing coastal storm damage risk management projects and studies in the Northeast, including the Montauk Point, NY, Project. The Army Corps has evaluated and prepared a Draft Hurricane Sandy Limited Reevaluation Report (HSLRR) and DEA for the authorized, but unconstructed stone revetment project, designed to protect the bluff and historic lighthouse at Montauk Point in New York.
Because the Montauk Point Storm Damage Reduction Feasibility Study (FS) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) were finalized by Army Corps in October 2005, and the project was congressionally authorized in 2006, a brief review of the project was necessary to verify that existing conditions have not changed significantly after Hurricane Sandy, and that the currently recommended project meets the project authorization. In general, the project proposed for construction in the HSLRR is the same length as the authorized project; however, there are some revisions to the design cross-section to ensure the stability, constructability and cost effectiveness of the structure.
A comparison of the original and currently proposed projects was evaluated in the DEA and DFONSI, as well as the Draft HSLRR. These reports and their associated documents are available on New York District's Website at:
http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/ProjectsinNewYork/MontaukPoint.aspx
Public comments on the DEA and DFONSI regarding this proposed work should be submitted to:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
Planning Division-Environmental Branch (ATTN: Mr. Robert Smith)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York 10278-0090
Public comments can also be submitted by e-mail to:
Project Biologist Robert.J.Smith@usace.army.mil and Project Manager Frank.Verga@usace.army.mil
Further instructions for submitting comments can be found on the District’s site. Comments received by June 3 regarding the DEA will assist in the agency’s evaluation of the project changes and will be reflected in the project record. All written comments, including contact information, will be made a part of the administrative record, available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Administrative Record, or portions thereof, may also be posted on a Corps of Engineers Internet web site. Due to resource limitations, this office normally cannot acknowledge receipt of comments or respond to individual letters of comments.