False River Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana

June 2012 INTERIM DRAFT FEASIBILITY REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FALSE RIVER AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION POINTE COUPEE PARISH, LOUISIANA VOLUME I of III Prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District New Orleans, Louisiana Prepared by Environmental Resources Baton Rouge, Louisiana June 2012 INTERIM DRAFT FEASIBILITY REPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FALSE RIVER AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION POINTE COUPEE PARISH, LOUISIANA Contract No. W912P8-09-D-0004 Task Order No. 0027 GEC Project No. 0027.3160010.027 VOLUME I of III Prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District New Orleans, Louisiana Prepared by Environmental Resources 8282 Goodwood Boulevard Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 (225) 612-3000 DISCLAIMER As is customary with all USACE products, this information is considered preliminary as it has not been through the requisite review channels (Agency Technical Review, Alternative Formulation Briefing, Public Review, and Civil Works Review Board) leading to a signed Chief’s Report. This Interim Draft has not been reviewed by the non-Federal Sponsors. Additionally, due to budget restraints, items that are outstanding include the Water Quality Certification (WQC), State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) coordination, Public Notice, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination Act Report (CAR), Legal Review, updated Sponsor's Letter of Intent, updated Fact Sheet, and MCACES. ORGANIZATION OF REPORT This Interim Draft, Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment, False River Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana contains the following major sections, published in three volumes. Volume I: Executive Summary 1.0 Study Information 2.0 Problems, Needs, and Opportunities 3.0 Alternatives 4.0 Affected Environment 5.0 Environmental Consequences 6.0 Compatibility with Federal, State, and Local Objectives 7.0 Public Involvement, Review, and Consultation 8.0 Environmental Commitments 9.0 Environmental Compliance 10.0 Conclusions and Recommendation 11.0 List of Preparers 12.0 References and Acronyms Volume II: Appendix A: Engineering Appendix and Data Summary Volume III: Appendix B: Non-Federal Sponsor's Letters of Intent and Financial Plan Appendix C: Preliminary Restoration Plan Appendix D: Environmental Benefits Analysis Appendix E: HTRW Assessment Appendix F: Cost Appendix Appendix G: Findings of No Significant Impact Appendix H: Real Estate Plan Appendix I: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coordination Act Report Appendix J: Letter of No Objection from the State Historic Preservation Officer Appendix K: Agency Technical Review and Quality Control Plan Appendix L: Water Quality Certification, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Appendix M: Statements of Technical Review, Documentation of the Technical Review Appendix N: Section 404(b)(1) Evaluation Appendix O: Historical Aerial Photography Appendix P: Aerial Photography for Forested Acreage Evaluation CONTINUING AUTHORITIES PROJECT FACT SHEET TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS * Denotes sections that are required for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. Section Page Volume I of III EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................... ES-1 1.0 STUDY INFORMATION .............................................................................................. 1-1 1.1 Study Authority ................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Study Purpose and Scope * ............................................................................ 1-3 1.3 Study Area * .................................................................................................... 1-3 1.4 History of Investigation .................................................................................... 1-3 1.5 Prior and Existing Projects .............................................................................. 1-4 1.6 Planning Process and Report Organization .................................................... 1-6 1.6.1 Planning Process ................................................................................. 1-6 1.6.1.1 Identification of Problems and Opportunities .......................... 1-7 1.6.1.2 Inventory, Forecast, and Analysis of Conditions .................... 1-7 1.6.1.3 Formulation of Alternative Plans............................................. 1-7 1.6.1.4 Evaluation of the Effects of the Alternative Plans ................... 1-7 1.6.1.5 Comparison of Alternative Plans ............................................ 1-7 1.6.1.6 Selection of a Recommended Plan (Tentatively Selected Plan)............................................. 1-7 2.0 PROBLEM, NEEDS, AND OPPORTUNITIES * ......................................................... 2-1 2.1 National Objectives ......................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Public Concerns .............................................................................................. 2-1 2.3 Problems ......................................................................................................... 2-1 2.4 Need ................................................................................................................ 2-2 2.5 Opportunity ...................................................................................................... 2-4 2.6 Planning Objectives ......................................................................................... 2-4 2.7 Planning Constraints ....................................................................................... 2-5 3.0 ALTERNATIVES * ...................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Plan Formulation Rationale ............................................................................. 3-1 3.2 Management Measures ................................................................................... 3-1 3.2.1 M1 Reduce Non-Point Source Pollution with Best Management Practices ........................................................................ 3-2 3.2.2 M2 Stabilize Channels ......................................................................... 3-2 3.2.3 M3 Dredge Accumulated Sediments with Upland Material Disposal ... 3-2 3.2.4 M4 Dredge Accumulated Sediments with Island/Edge Creation ......... 3-2 3.2.5 M5 Dredge Accumulated Sediment with Deepwater Material Disposal ................................................................................. 3-3 3.2.6 M6 Dredge Accumulated Sediment with Confined Lake Material Disposal .............................................................................................. 3-3 3.2.7 M7 Water Level Management .............................................................. 3-3 3.2.8 M8 Vegetative Plantings ...................................................................... 3-3 3.3 Screening/Evaluation of Management Measures ............................................ 3-4 This document is considered preliminary as it has not undergone the requisite USACE technical reviews Page TOC-i TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont'd) * Denotes sections that are required for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. Section Page 3.3.1 M1 Reduce Non-Point Source Pollution with Best Management Practices ........................................................................ 3-4 3.3.2 M2 Stabilize Channels ......................................................................... 3-4 3.3.3 M3 Dredge Accumulated Sediments with Upland Material Disposal ... 3-5 3.3.4 M4 Dredge Accumulated Sediments with Island/Edge Creation ......... 3-5 3.3.5 M5 Dredge Accumulated Sediment with Deepwater Material Disposal ................................................................................. 3-5 3.3.6 M6 Dredge Accumulated Sediment with Confined Lake Material Disposal ................................................................................. 3-5 3.3.7 M7 Lake Water Level Management ..................................................... 3-6 3.3.8 M8 Vegetative Plantings ...................................................................... 3-6 3.3.9 Management Measures Screening Summary ..................................... 3-6 3.4 Final Array of Alternatives ............................................................................... 3-6 3.4.1 A1 No-Action Alternative ...................................................................... 3-8 3.4.2 A2 Dredge North Flats with Island/Edge Disposal and Plantings ........ 3-8 3.4.3 A3 Dredge South Flats with Island/Edge Disposal and Plantings ....... 3-8 3.4.4 A4 Dredge North and South Flats with Island/Edge Disposal and Plantings ..................................................................................... 3-13 3.4.5 A5 Dredge North Flats with Upland Disposal .................................... 3-13 3.4.6 A6 Dredge South Flats with Upland Disposal .................................... 3-17 3.4.7 A7 Dredge North and South Flats with Upland Disposal ................... 3-17 3.5 Comparison of Alternatives ........................................................................... 3-17 3.5.1 Cost Analysis ..................................................................................... 3-17 3.5.2 Environmental Benefits ...................................................................... 3-17 3.5.3 Cost-effectiveness and Incremental Cost Analysis ............................ 3-29 3.6 Plan Selection ..............................................................................................

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