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impact on Essential Fish Habitat or Federally managed fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. Our
<br />final determination relative to project impacts and the need for mitigation measures is
<br />subject to review by and coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
<br />PUBLIC INTEREST REVIEW FACTORS: This application will be reviewed in accordance
<br />with 33 CFR 320-330, the Regulatory Programs of the Corps of Engineers, and other
<br />pertinent laws, regulations and executive orders. The decision whether to issue a permit
<br />will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of
<br />the proposed activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern
<br />for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits, which reasonably
<br />may be expected to accrue from the proposal, must be balanced against its reasonably
<br />foreseeable detriments. All factors, which may be relevant to the proposal, will be
<br />considered: among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental
<br />concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain
<br />values, land use, navigation, shore erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and
<br />conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs
<br />and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.
<br />SOLICITATION OF COMMENTS: The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the
<br />public, Federal, State, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested
<br />parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any
<br />comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers to determine whether to
<br />issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision,
<br />comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water
<br />quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above.
<br />Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment and/or an
<br />Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
<br />Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the
<br />overall public interest of the proposed activity.
<br />This public notice is being distributed to all known interested persons in order to assist in
<br />developing facts upon which a decision by the Corps of Engineers may be based. For
<br />accuracy and completeness of the record, all data in support of or in opposition to the
<br />proposed work should be submitted in writing setting forth sufficient detail to furnish a clear
<br />understanding of the reasons for support or opposition.
<br />PUBLIC HEARING: The Corps held a public hearing regarding the proposed project and
<br />the DEIS on 12 December 2001. The public hearing was held at the George R. Brown
<br />Convention Center, at 1001 Avenida de las Americas, in Houston, Harris County, Texas.
<br />Prior to the close of the comment period any person may make a written request for an
<br />additional public hearing setting forth the particular reasons for the request. The District
<br />Engineer will determine whether the issues are substantial and should be considered in the
<br />permit decision. If an additional public hearing is warranted, all known interested persons
<br />will be notified of the time, date, and location.
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