[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21751-21754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09007]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR-5866-N-01]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for Coastal and Social Resiliency Initiatives for Tottenville
Shoreline, Staten Island, NY
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development, HUD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS.
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SUMMARY: This provides notice that the State of New York, as the
``Responsible Entity,'' as that term is defined by 24 CFR
58.2(a)(7)(i), intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) that will evaluate alternatives for increasing coastal and social
resiliency along the Tottenville shoreline on the South Shore of Staten
Island and help to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to the quality of
the human environment (``Proposed Actions''). The State of New York is
the Grantee of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery
(CDBG-DR) funds appropriated by the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act,
2013 (Pub. L. 113-2, approved January 29, 2013) related to disaster
relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing,
and economic revitalization in the most impacted and distressed areas
resulting from a major disaster declared pursuant to the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974 (Stafford
Act) in calendar years 2011, 2012, and 2013. The Governor's Office of
Storm Recovery (GOSR) implements the State's obligations under the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) through duly authorized
Certifying Officers. GOSR was formed under the auspices of the New York
State Homes and Community Renewal's Housing Trust Fund Corporation
(HTFC), a public benefit corporation and subsidiary of the New York
State Housing Finance Agency.
The EIS will satisfy the requirements of NEPA and the State
Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). This notice is in accordance
with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations at 40 CFR
parts 1500-1508 and HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58. Following a
public scoping process, a Draft EIS will be prepared for the proposed
actions described herein. Comments relating to the Draft Scope of Work
for the EIS are requested and will be accepted by the contact person
listed below. When the Draft EIS is completed, a notice will be sent to
appropriate government agencies, individuals and groups known to have
an interest in the Draft EIS and particularly in the environmental
impact issues identified therein. Any person or agency interested in
receiving notice and commenting on the Draft Scope of Work or Draft EIS
should contact the person listed below no later than May 15, 2015. HUD
has provided for assumption of its NEPA authority and responsibilities
to New York State, as Responsible Entity, for the purposes of
administering the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery
Program in New York State.
Comments: Comments relating to the Draft Scope of Work for the EIS
are requested and will be accepted by the contact person listed below
until May 15, 2015. Comments will also be accepted at the scoping
meeting described below on April 30, 2015. All interested agencies,
tribes, groups, and persons are invited to submit written comments on
the projects named in this notice and on the Draft Scope of Work for
the EIS to the contact person listed below. All comments received
before May 15, 2015 will be considered prior to the preparation and
distribution of the Draft EIS. Commenters are asked to submit any
information-related reports or other environmental studies planned or
completed in the project area, major issues that the EIS should
consider, recommended mitigation measures, and alternatives associated
with the Proposed Actions. Federal, State and City agencies having
jurisdiction by law, special expertise, or other special interest
should report their interest and indicate their readiness to aid in the
EIS effort as a ``Cooperating Agency.'' The following federal agencies
have thus far expressed roles as cooperating agencies under NEPA: The
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA-
NMFS), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Greene, Deputy General Counsel
and Certifying Officer, Governor's Office of Storm Recovery, 25 Beaver
Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004; email: [email protected].
Individuals may request a copy of the Draft Scope of Work by contacting
Mr. Greene at this address or by visiting GOSR's Web site at
www.StormRecovery.ny.gov/Environment.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 21752]]
A. Background
The State of New York, acting through GOSR, and acting under
authority of HUD's regulations at 24 CFR part 58, and in cooperation
with other cooperating, involved, and interested agencies, will prepare
an EIS to analyze potential impacts of certain alternatives to enhance
coastal and social resiliency on the South Shore of Staten Island. The
EIS will seek to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to the quality of
the human environment.
Staten Island is exposed to extreme wave action and coastal
flooding during hurricane and nor'easter events due to its location at
the mouth of the New York Bight, which funnels and increases the
intensity of storm surge into New York Harbor, Raritan Bay, and the
shoreline of Staten Island. The South Shore of Staten Island is
particularly vulnerable to more continual and gradual coastal erosion
and land loss. The overarching goal of the initiative is to reduce risk
and coastal erosion along the shoreline in Tottenville by implementing
strategies that would primarily address wave action, impacts of coastal
flooding, and event-based (i.e., short-term/storm-related) and long-
term shoreline erosion, while restoring and enhancing ecosystems and
engaging with the community through educational programs and enhanced
waterfront access. The EIS will look at several alternatives to achieve
these objectives.
B. Purpose and Need of the Proposed Action
As described above, the South Shore of Staten Island is vulnerable
to coastal erosion and land loss. Consistent with the New York City's
Coastal Protection Initiatives and planning studies for the Tottenville
area, the goal of the Proposed Actions is to reduce risk and coastal
erosion along the shoreline in Tottenville, while enhancing ecosystems
and shoreline accessibility and use.
Specifically, the goals and objectives related to the Proposed
Actions' purpose and need are listed below:
Risk Reduction
Attenuate wave energy.
Address both event-based and long-term shoreline erosion/
preserve beach width.
Address the impacts of coastal flooding.
Ecological Enhancement
Increasing diversity of aquatic habitats consistent with
the Hudson-Raritan Estuary plan priorities (e.g., oyster reefs and fish
and shellfish habitat).
Social Resiliency
Foster community education on coastal resiliency directly
tied to and building off the structural components of this resiliency
initiative.
Increase physical and visual access to the water's edge.
Enhance community stewardship of on-shore and in-water
ecosystems.
Increase access to recreational opportunities.
C. Project Alternatives
The EIS will discuss all of the alternatives that have been
considered for analysis, identify those that have been eliminated from
further consideration because they do not meet the stated purpose and
need, and identify those that will be analyzed further. At this time,
it is anticipated that the following alternatives will be analyzed:
Alternative 1--No Action Alternative
The No Action alternative assumes that no new structural risk
reduction projects will be implemented in the project area and existing
trends of dune replenishment would continue. This alternative also
assumes that current trends with respect to coastal conditions at
Tottenville--i.e., relating to erosion, wave action, ecosystems, and
water quality--will continue. The No Action alternative also presumes
that existing strategies to educate New Yorkers and the general public
on the risks posed by climate change will remain the same in the study
area.
Alternative 2--The Layered Tottenville Shoreline Resiliency Strategy:
Living Breakwaters and Tottenville Dune Projects (``Layered Strategy'')
(Preferred Alternative)
The Layered Strategy is the State's preferred alternative and it
consists of the implementation of two individual projects that, if
integrated as one initiative, may provide a better overall coastal
projection and promote social resilience. These projects were developed
through separate, but related, planning initiatives arising out of the
Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. If implemented together, the projects
would be planned and designed as a single, integrated coastal
resiliency strategy for this area. By providing two layers of coastal
protection, these components, as further described below, will improve
current shoreline erosion conditions, serve to further reduce wave
action, provide for ecological enhancement and promote social
resiliency. The individual components of the Layered Strategy are
discussed below.
Living Breakwaters Project (Rebuild-by-Design)
New York State has been allocated $60 million of CDGB-DR program
funds toward a total estimated project cost of $74 million to implement
the below described project along the Tottenville shoreline of the
South Shore of Staten Island.
In-Water Components
One of the key components of the Layered Strategy is the
Breakwaters Project, an ecologically enhanced breakwater system that
would reduce wave energy at the shoreline and prevent shoreline
erosion. The proposed location of the breakwaters is expected to
curtail shoreline erosion, which would support on-going efforts to
replenish the protective beaches along the shore. The proposed
breakwaters would span an approximately 13,000 linear foot stretch off
the Tottenville shoreline of Staten Island and would be located and
designed to optimize wave height reduction and reduce coastal erosion.
Final siting considerations would include maximizing reductions in wave
heights and shoreline erosion, avoiding or minimizing habitat
displacement and navigational impacts, and identifying favorable
geotechnical conditions.
The proposed breakwater system would increase habitat diversity
through the establishment of structural habitat, which is currently
limited within Raritan Bay. The breakwaters would likely provide a
combination of exposed, intertidal and subtidal reef habitat, and
through the incorporation of ``reef streets'' (pockets of complexity
within the structure) would further increase habitat diversity within
Raritan Bay by providing shelter for juvenile fish, and increasing
biological recruitment of filter-feeding organisms such as mussels and
oysters, furthering opportunities for shellfish restoration within
Raritan Bay. The breakwaters would also protect the proposed on-shore
dune system described below. The draft operation and maintenance plan
for the proposed breakwater system will be described in the EIS.
On-Shore Community Water Hub/Landscape Elements
With the goal of promoting social resiliency, a proposed community
Water Hub would provide a place for access to the waterfront,
orientation, education, information, restoration, gathering and
equipment storage. In particular, the
[[Page 21753]]
Water Hub programming would include classrooms and labs, engaging
schools in waterfront education, oyster restoration and reef building,
and cultivating long-term estuary stewardship. The educational
programming for the Water Hub will directly tie in to the in-water
components, as well as to any shoreline resiliency component. In
addition to ecological engagement, the Water Hub facilities and
programs are intended to educate residents on the risks and benefits of
living in the coastal environment and build awareness and preparedness
within the community. The Tottenville Water Hub may also include other
elements, such as recreation lounges, exhibition space, a local
restaurant, maintenance-related storage space and offices, bird
watching stations and nature observation decks.
The Water Hub would potentially be located on the waterfront within
or near Conference House Park, although alternate locations will be
considered during the EIS process. Siting considerations would include
access to existing infrastructure, Coastal Erosion Hazard Area (CEHA)
sensitivity, coastal construction permitting, archaeological
sensitivity, proximity to the breakwater system, proximity to local
schools and public transportation, and neighborhood traffic patterns
and parking. The draft operation and maintenance plan for the proposed
Water Hub will be described in the EIS.
The Breakwaters Project would also include several on-shore and
near-shore landscape elements in the area of the Water Hub, including
living shorelines (high and low marsh), oyster revetments, maritime
forest and dune plantings.
Tottenville Dune Project (NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program)
New York State proposes to use approximately $6,350,000 of HUD
CDBG-DR program funds to implement the below-described dune system with
plantings along the Tottenville shoreline from approximately Brighton
Street to Joline Avenue. The Dune Project is intended to protect
against coastal flooding and wave action, complementing the Breakwaters
Project and furthering the goal of risk reduction in Tottenville.
The Tottenville Dune Project is proposed as a hardened dune system
that would consist of constructed dunes having a stone core with a sand
cap, and is the primary shoreline component of the layered approach to
risk reduction in Tottenville. Once constructed, the dunes would be
planted with appropriate vegetation, which through root growth, will
serve to stabilize the dunes to withstand wind and water erosion while
promoting enlargement of the dunes by accretion.
The proposed dune system would be located along the Tottenville
shoreline from approximately Brighton Street to Joline Avenue.
Temporary dunes, constructed by the New York City Department of Parks
and Recreation (NYCDPR) as interim protective measures post-Sandy, are
currently in place from approximately Brighton Street to Sprague
Avenue. These temporary dunes would be replaced with the larger,
hardened dune system. New dunes would also be constructed from Sprague
Avenue to Joline Avenue. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
accessible access points to the beach would also be constructed along
the new dune system and would be considered and designed in tandem with
the Water Hub and living shoreline project components. Designing the
dunes in conjunction with the breakwaters may enable design
modifications of the dunes (such as, reduced height) that would enhance
the need for shoreline accessibility. The draft operation and
maintenance plan for the proposed dune system will be described in the
EIS.
Alternative 3--Breakwaters Without a Dune System
This alternative will evaluate conditions with the proposed
breakwaters in place (including the on-shore community Water Hub and
landscape elements), but without a proposed long-term dune system
between Brighton Avenue and Joline Avenue.
Alternative 4--Dune System Without Breakwaters
This alternative will evaluate conditions with the proposed long-
term dune system in place, but without the proposed breakwaters, Water
Hub, or on-shore landscape elements.
Other Alternatives
Other alternatives may be developed in consultation with the United
States Army Corp of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration--National Marine Fisheries Service, the United States
Environmental Protection Agency, the New York State Department of
State, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New
York City Department of Parks and Recreation and other involved
agencies during the EIS preparation process, as well as in response to
suggestions made by project stakeholders and the general public during
the EIS scoping process. Notably, GOSR intends for the alternatives
analysis to fulfill the requirements for a permit under Section 404 of
the Clean Water Act. These may include non-structural coastal
resilience strategies, but only to the extent that they meet the
purposes and need for both enhanced shoreline protection and increased
social resiliency. The alternatives may also include coastal resiliency
strategies proposed by other governmental stakeholders, to the extent
that these strategies are made available to GOSR during development of
the Draft EIS. Additionally, alternatives may also include alternate
designs or sizes of both the dune and breakwaters.
D. Need for the EIS
The actions proposed herein may constitute an action significantly
affecting the quality of the environment and an EIS will be prepared on
this project in accordance with NEPA. Responses to this notice will be
used to: (1) Determine significant environmental issues, (2) assist in
developing a range of alternatives to be considered, (3) identify
issues that the EIS should address, and (4) identify agencies and other
parties that will participate in the EIS process and the basis for
their involvement.
E. Scoping
A public EIS scoping meeting will be held on April 30, 2015 from
7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at CYO-MIV Community Center, 6541 Hylan Blvd., Staten
Island, NY 10309. The public meeting site will be accessible to the
mobility-impaired. Interpreter services will be available for the
hearing or visually impaired upon advance request. The EIS scoping
meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about
the Proposed Actions and provide input to the environmental process. At
the meetings, an overview of the Proposed Actions, including the
preferred Layered Strategy alternative, will be presented and members
of the public will be invited to comment on the scope of work for the
environmental analyses in the EIS. Written comments and testimony
concerning the scope of the EIS will be accepted at these meetings. In
accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7; affected Federal, State, and local
agencies, any affected Indian tribes, and other interested parties will
be sent a scoping notice. In accordance with 24 CFR 58.59, the scoping
meetings will be preceded by a notice of public meeting published in
the local news media at least 15 days before the hearing date.
[[Page 21754]]
F. Probable Environmental Effects
The following subject areas will be analyzed in the combined EIS
for probable environmental effects: Land Use, Zoning, and Public
Policy; Socioeconomic Conditions; Environmental Justice; Cultural
Resources; Visual Character; Shadows; Natural Resources; Water and
Sewer Infrastructure; Transportation; Air Quality; Greenhouse Gases and
Climate Change; Noise; Construction; Public Health; Neighborhood
Character; and Cumulative Effects.
Questions may be directed to the individual named in this notice
under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Date: April 15, 2015.
Clifford Taffet,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development.
[FR Doc. 2015-09007 Filed 4-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P