The eRulemaking Program
11/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/02/2026 07:41
Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.: Port of Iberia, LA; Withdrawal
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, Port of Iberia, Louisiana
AGENCY:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION:
Notice; withdrawal.
SUMMARY:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is issuing this notice to advise Federal, State, local governmental agencies, and the public and other concerned stakeholders that USACE is withdrawing the Notice of Intent (NOI) for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the Port of Iberia (also referred to as `the Port' or `Iberia Port'), Louisiana navigation feasibility study. Since publication of the NOI, study conditions have changed; the USACE has determined that an Environmental Assessment (EA) rather than an EIS is the appropriate level of environmental documentation.
DATES:
The NOI to prepare an EIS published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2002 (67 FR 66388), is withdrawn as of November 2, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans; 7400 Leake Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana 70118.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the withdrawal of the NOI can be directed to Elizabeth Behrens at (504) 862-2025 or by email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Section 431 (Iberia Port, Louisiana) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-541) authorized "a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out a project for navigation, Iberia Port, Louisiana." A final Feasibility Report and EIS were completed in 2006; however, a Record of Decision for the EIS was not signed. The project was subsequently authorized under Section 1001(25) of the WRDA 2007, as amended by Section 6004(a)(7) of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014.
USACE has since assessed the environmental impacts of the proposed action and determined that there would be no significant adverse impact(s) on the human and natural environment. Unavoidable impacts to wetlands will be fully mitigated; and because forecasted impacts from the proposed action can be fully mitigated, significant adverse effects are no longer a concern, an EIS is not warranted. The USACE will notify the public in advance of the availability of EA #611 and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) through public notice. A copy of the signed FONSI will be made available for viewing and download on the project website at: https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/Port-of-Iberia/. Any future proposed federal action(s) related to the study, or authorized project if authorized, will comply with the requirements of the NEPA of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ), the Department of War NEPA Implementing Procedures (September 3, 2026), and other related environmental review requirements.
James A. Bodron,
Programs Director, Mississippi Valley Division.
[FR Doc. 2026-22315 Filed 10-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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