FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

MERMENTAU RIVER, BAYOUS NEZPIQUE AND DES CANNES,

ASSOCIATED WATER FEATURES GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY, MERMENTAU RIVER, BAYOUS NEZPIQUE AND DES CANNES, AND LAKE ARTHUR

Prepared by U. S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans New Orleans, La. August 1971 August 1971

MERMENTAU RIVER, BAYOUS NEZPIQUE AND DES CANNES, LOUISIANA

( ) Draft (X) Final Environmental Statement

Responsible Office: U. S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans, Louisiana

1. Name of Action: (X) Administrative ( ) Legislative

2. Description of Action: The action consists of the enlargement and realignment of existing navigation channels with an accumulative length of some 43 miles, in Bayous Nezpique and des Cannes below Interstate 10 and also in the Mermentau River above the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and in Lake Arthur to provide depths of 12 feet. It also provides for Federal participation in the cost of replacing the existing Louisiana State Highway 14 bridge at Lake Arthur, Louisiana. Located in Cameron, Vermilion, Jefferson Davis, and Acadia Parishes, Louisiana.

3. a. Environmental Impacts: The enlargement and realignment of the navigation channels will improve navigation conditions for commercial navigation and result in an increase in industrial and agricultural development of the area. The navigation project will result in changes in land use occasioned by construction including the reduction of bottom­ land hardwood, increase in water areas, and formation of oxbow lakes.

b. Adverse Environmental Effects; A loss or change in approximately 2,000 acres of wildlife habitat will occur. Temporary turbidity and siltation will occur during construction and maintenance dredging operations.

4. Alternatives: Alternative construction methods and foregoing the channel realignment and improvements.

5. Comments Received;

Water Quality Office, Environmental Protection Agency Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, U. S. Department of the Interior National Park Service, U. S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Mines, U. S. Department of the Interior Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Geological Survey, U. S. Department of the Interior Department of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State University Louisiana Department of Public Works Louisiana Department of Health

6. Draft Statement to CEQ: 9 July 1971 Final Statement to CEQ: 9 MAR 1372 August 1971

MERMENTAU RIVER, BAYOUS NEZPIQUE AND DES CANNES, LOUISIANA FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

1 . Project description. The project is located in southwest Louisiana near the towns of Lake Arthur and Jennings and is designed to improve navigation in the Mermentau River and Bayous Nezpique and des Cannes between the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and Interstate 10 Highway. Impediments to navigation include the many sharp bends requiring reduced speeds to negotiate and restrictions on the size of tows imposed by existing channel dimensions and the vertical clearance provided by the Louisiana State Highway 14 bridge at Lake Arthur.

Improvements authorized by the River and Harbor Act of 1965 and described in House Document Number 239, 89th Congress, include: enlargement and realignment of channels on Bayous Nezpique and des Cannes below Interstate 10 Highway crossings to a depth of 12 feet and a width of 125 feet, with five cutoffs on each bayou; enlargement and realign­ ment of the existing channel in Mermentau River above the GIWW to provide a channel 12 feet deep and 200 feet wide through Lake Arthur and 12 feet deep and 125 feet wide with nine cutoffs above Lake Arthur; and Federal participation in the cost of replacing the existing Louisiana State Highway 14 bridge at Lake Arthur with a new bridge having a vertical clearance of 50 feet above high water and a horizontal clearance of not less than 200 feet, with apportionment of the cost between the bridge owner and the United States in accordance with the principles of Section 6, Public Law 647, Seventy-sixth Congress, as amended. The channel clearances of all other bridges across the project channels are adequate for navigation. The Mermentau River Basin and the authorized improvements are shown on the three inclosed maps. A general design memorandum for the project has been approved. The benefit-cost ratio of the project based on the $6,731,000 cost estimate is 1.15.

2. Environmental setting without the project. The Mermentau River is formed by the confluence of Bayous Nezpique and des Cannes 2 miles above the town of Mermentau, Louisiana, from whence it flows about 72 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mermentau Basin was formerly within the Mississippi and Red Rivers drainage systems. The northern part of the basin above the GIWW is comprised of uplands of Pleistocene origin and the southern part below the GIWW is comprised of prairie and coastal marsh of Recent deltaic origin. Beneath the entire study areo. is a sand and gravel aquifer known as the Chicot Reservoir which varies in thickness from a few feet to about 800 feet and in depth below the ground surface from about 50 to about 200 feet. That part of the Mermentau and its tributaries included in the project has incised into the Pleistocene sediments. Elevations in the Mermentau Basin range from 1 to 2 feet above m.s.l. (mean sea level) in the marshes to about 100 feet m.s.l. in the headwater area of Bayou Nezpique. Within the project area, ground elevations range from 1 to 2 feet above m.s.l. near the GIWW to a maximum of 20 to 25 feet above m.s.l. at the northern end of the project.

Except for Bayou Lacassine, the tributaries of the Mermentau River rise in the uplands and generally follow tortuous channels through well-defined flood plains. Bayou Lacassine is formed in the swamps near Jennings by the junction of the East and West Forks of Bayou Lacassine and flows about 30 miles south through low prairie and marsh to Grand Lake. These streams flow through stable channels and carry little silt. Stages in the lower Mermentau Basin are partially controlled by four* structures which are designed to prevent the intrusion of salt water from the Gulf of Mexico and to maintain a stage sufficient to provide adequate water supplies for the irrigation of rice. Withdrawals for irrigation have lowered stages during dry periods to zero mean low gulf level. Conversely, the retention of water for irrigation of rice has resulted in flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. However, during the past 50 years, only the floods of August 1940 and May 1953 have caused flooding of major parts of the Mermentau Lisin.

The upper part of the basin is extensively cleared for agricul­ ture and grazing. Remaining wooded areas on the higher ground are in upland pine and hardwoods. The stream flood plains are predominately in bottomland hardwoods. The prairie land is primarily grassland that is devoted to pasture and agriculture, with rice being the principal crop. The marshlands vary from completely fresh over most of the area to a highly saline band approximately 1 mile in width near the Gulf of Mexico. Marsh vegetation is determined primarily by water depth and salinity. Much of this marsh is used for grazing.

The Mermentau River Basin contains valuable fish and wildlite resources. Habitat for migratory waterfowl is the most important resource, with large concentrations of ducks, geese, and coots annually overwintering in the prairies as well as the coastal marshes of the basin. Two major wildlife refuges are located within the basin. The 31,124-acre Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge and the 83,000-acre State-owned Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge are within the Mermentau Basin. Both have been intensively developed for waterfowl. The wetlands of the lower basin are also extensively used by other migratory birds such as snipe, rails, and gallinules. Fur animals are abundant, particularly in the lower basin, with muskrat and nutria leading in both value and numbers trapped. Alligators, an endangered species, remain common in the lower basin, with the largest numbers found on the two aforementioned refuges. The upper part of the Mermentau Basin, which includes the immediate project area, provides fair habitat for squirrels, quail, rabbits, and deer. The commercial and sport fishery resources of the basin are also of major importance. That part of the basin generally south of the Catfish Point Control Structure provides good harvests of shrimp, crabs, and finfishes, and also serves as nursery and spawning areas for various species which are harvested offshore. The remainder of the coastal wetlands between the GIWW and the Catfish Point Control Structure provides an excellent fresh water sport fishery. That part of the basin above the GIWW, which includes the immediate project area, provides a fair fresh water fishery.

The U. S. Department of the Interior has advised the Corps of Engineers that a number of archaeological sites are located in the project area. There are no national parks or known historical sites in the area.

The 1970 population of the parishes drained by the Mermentau Basin was 185,654. The largest towns are Crowley and Jennings with populations of 16,104 and 11,783, respectively. Transportation in the basin is provided by the Missouri Pacific and Southern Pacific Lines (both mainline railroads), numerous state highways, U. S. Highways 90 and 190, Interstate 10 Highway, and the GIWW and connecting waterways.

Mineral production, consisting of oil and natural gas, is of major importance in and adjacent to the basin. Many access and pipeline canals have been constructed in the marsh by non-Federal interests in the exploitation of this resource. Industries in the area consist of rice mills, ship building plants, food processing plants, packing houses, machine shops, cotton compresses, building material plants, and canneries. In addition to rice, major crops include sweet potatoes and corn. The raising of livestock is also of major importance in the area economy.

Completed Federal projects in the Mermentau Basin include the Mermentau River, Bayou Hezpique, and , La., project which provides for navigation channels in all of the Mermentau and the lower portion of its two tributaries; the , La., project which provides for snagging and the dredging of cutoffs in the lower 14 miles of this stream; the Bayou Plaquemine Brule', La., project which provides for a navigation channel in the lower 19 miles of the stream; and the GIWW which provides for a navigation channel from Florida to the Mexican Border and two salinity control locks in the GIWW— Vermilion Lock near the eastern boundary and Calcasieu lock near the western boundary of the Mermentau Basin; and the Mermentau River, La., project which is a multipurpose flood control, navigation, irrigation, and salinity control improvement. It provides for enlargement of the Mermentau River below Grand Lake and existing channels between Grand and White Lakes and between White Lake and Vermilion Bay; the Catfish Point Control Structure in the Mermentau and the Schooner Bayou Control Structure in the White Lake-Vermilion Bay channel to prevent the intrusion of salt water and regulate water levels for irrigation; enlargement of the Schooner Bayou cutoff channel and the North Prong of Schooner Bayou; and the incorporation into the Mermentau River project of the existing navigation projects from White Lake to Pecan Island and that part of the Inland Waterway from Franklin to the Mermentau River, west of the Vermilion River. The enlargement of the GIWW across the Mermentau Basin to 16 by 200 feet has been authorized but no work has been accomplished.

Future changes without the project will probably consist of a gradual increase in industrial and agricultural development. Such changes will require a limited clearing of wooded bottomlands adjacent to the project streams for agricultural uses and industrial plants.

3. Environmental impact of the proposed action. The major effects of the project will be the direct changes in land use occasioned by construction. Channel enlargement and realignment on the Mermentau River and Bayous Nezpique and des Cannes will require 518 acres of land which will be converted to water area. An additional 1,576 acres will be required for spoil disposal. This directly-affected area is in bottomland hardwoods. The accumulation of spoil will kill existing vegetation and a long period of time will elapse before a mature forest stand can be reestablished. The 19 cutoffs will result in the formation of bendway lakes. A temporary increase in turbidity will result from construction and maintenance dredging; however, the proposed plan should not have any long-lasting effect on the quality of waters in the project area. The improved navigability of the project streams is expected to encourage further industrial development which may necessitate additional clearing of bottomland hardwoods. The replacement of the bridge in Lake Arthur with a new structure will not have any environmental effects. The effects of the project are not expected to extend beyond the channel and spoil-disposal sites. The project will not affect existing or potential units of the National Park System, natural landmarks, or national historic landmarks.

The project will improve navigation by providing a larger and straighter channel, thus reducing transportation costs. Since the petroleum industry is a major component of the basin economy and most of the existing and prospective traffic on the Mermentau River is related to this industry, the project will have a significant favorable impact on the basin economy. The bendways that will be cut off are expected to provide a higher quality of fishing than that provided by the river. Archaeological preservation and salvage consideration are being coordinated with the National Park Service to preserve this resource to the extent possible.

The adverse effects of the project relate primarily to the loss of bottomland hardwoods to channel and spoil-disposal areas. In addition to their aesthetic attractiveness, these areas support an estimated 100 man-days of hunting and a trapping harvest of 100 pelts annually. The project may also disturb or destroy archaeological sites. The number, location, and other pertinent data on these sites are not presently known so a relative value of this resource cannot at this time be determined. Other uses of the project area will not be affected by the project.

The recommended plan contains protective measures for reducing adverse environmental impacts. Spoil will be contained within retention dikes to control the spread of dredging effluent. Waste-water control structures will be placed as far as possible from the dredge discharge pipe to allow for maximum deposition of sediment. Contractors will be required to comply with all Federal, state, parish, and municipal laws concerning air and water pollution; public health; and protection of shellfish, fish, and domestic animals. The proposed plan for retention dikes and placement of waste-water control structures for controlling the dredging effluent is also designed to control mosquitoes by pre­ venting the excessive ponding of water.

The National Park Service has been furnished maps showing the location and proposed channel realignments and spoil areas and requested that these areas be surveyed for their archaeological content and value. Salvage and preservation considerations will be coordinated with that Service.

4 - Any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented. The project will result in the permanent loss of 518 acres of bottomland hardwoods that are required for channel rights-of-way. The endemic vegetation on the 1,576 acres required for spoil disposal will be killed, but such areas will, in time, become completely revegetated. Some spoil areas will be subject to periodical spoil deposit from maintenance dredging for the life of the project. These losses will be felt by hunters and trappers accustomed to using the area. This loss is considered minor since in the view of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as expressed in their letters of 14 April 1964 and 28 September 1967, wildlife losses will amount to 100 man-days of hunting effort and 100 pelts annually, ihe Service also estimated that the project would result in the loss of 1,000 man-days of sport fishing and a harvest of 350 pounds of commercial fish annually from dredging and subsequent erosion. However, the enlargement and realignment of existing navigation channels are not expected to further reduce the fishery value of these streams to this extent. Because of the stability of soils in the project area, the turbidity from dredging is expected to be temporary and erosion is not expected to be significant. Some additional clearing of bottomland hardwoods is expected to accommodate future industrial expansion. Other recreational uses of the project area will not be affected. No significant adverse aesthetic impacts are anticipated. The archaeological sites included in the new channel or spoil areas will be salvaged to the extent possible.

5. Alternatives to the proposed action. One alternative would be to forego channel realignment and improve the existing channels. This is not practical since a major problem attending navigation is negotiating the sharp bends. Another alternative to the project would be to cancel it. There will be a gradual increase in industrial and agricultural development. The industrial expansion will occur at a slower rate without the project with a resulting slower rate of wildlife habitat loss. This alternative was not adopted because the benefits accruing to the project would be foreclosed. A construction alternative would be the use of bucket dredges in lieu of hydraulic dredges in order to reduce turbidity during dredging and the size of spoil-disposal areas. This alternative would reduce environmental damage in proportion to the reduction achieved in turbidity and size of spoil-disposal areas. However, this alternative would make the project economically infeasible.

6. The relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity The inadequate channel dimensions and poor alignment of the existing channels preclude the use of these streams by some of the tows that operate on the GIWW and require smaller tows to operate at reduced speeds. The recommended improvements will enable these larger tows to operate on the project streams at normal speeds, thus reducing transportation costs. This reduction in transportation costs will benefit present users of the project channels immediately. The long­ term productivity of the area will also be enhanced by the increased attractiveness of the project streams for industrial development.

In order to achieve these benefits, the present generation must make a long-term commitment of 2,094 acres of bottomland hardwoods for channel and spoil disposal. This commitment will result in land- use changes that present a long-term conflict with outdoor recreational activities. The outdoor recreational opportunities and the aesthetic attractiveness of these woodlands will be permanently lost when converted to channel and reduced when used for spoil disposal.

The project will not have an adverse effect on man's life support system. Ecological changes will be confined to the immediate project area and are mainly related to the conversion of bottomland hardwood areas to channel and spoil-disposal areas. The industrial expansion expected to occur because of the project may result in an increase of pollution. However, it is anticipated that new industries will be required to install adequate treatment or disposal facilities. 7• Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented. The commitment of 518 acres of bottomland hardwoods and marsh to new channel is irreversible and irretrievable. The aesthetic appeal and hunting and trapping provided by this area will be permanently lost. The 1,576 acres required for spoil disposal will result in a similar loss for at least the long period required for the reestablishment of a mature vegetative stand. Some spoil areas will be subject to periodic reuse for maintenance dredging spoil. An undetermined amount of this loss will become irretrievable and irreversible if any spoil- disposal areas are converted to industrial use. The reduction in water quality and accompanying reduction in fishery values and other recreational water uses will result from turbidity during dredging and therefore are temporary in nature.

Ho changes in existing land use as a result of the project are anticipated beyond the previously-described channel and spoil-disposal areas and industrial development. All environmental qualities of adjacent areas will remain unchanged.

Archaeological sites within the channel rights-of-way will be permanently lost. However, such sites will be explored and salvaged as warranted by their content. Archaeological sites found within designated spoil-disposal areas will be salvaged or left undisturbed. If salvage is not practical, new spoil—disposal sites will be acquired as needed.

The investment in manpower and funds required for construction and maintenance of the project represents a permanent commitment.

8 . Coordination with others.

Public participation. The only public meeting on this project was held in Jennings, Louisiana, on 14 December 1961 to determine the nature and extent of improvements desired by local interests, and to obtain the views of other interested parties. The notice of this public meeting was given wide distribution among Federal, state, and local agencies and individuals.

k* Government agencies. The draft environmental statement was sent to the following governmental agencies for review and comment. The comments submitted are summarized below and copies of all correspondence received are attached to this statement.

(!) BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, USDI

Comment; No comments received. (2) WATER QUALITY OFFICE, EPA

Comnerrt: The proposed plan should not have any long-lasting effect on the quality of waters in the project area.

Response: The comment was included in the statement.

Comment: The first paragraph of page 10 assures conformance with environmental protection measures.

Comment: Suggested that mosquito control be included as another reason for preventing excessive ponding of water.

Response: The suggestion was adopted.

(3) BUREAU OF OUTDOOR RECREATION, USDI

Comment: Kc comments to offer.

(4) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, USDI

Comment: The project will not affect existing or known potential units of the National Park System, natural landmarks, or natural historic landmarks.

Response: The comment was included in the statement.

Comment: The environmental statement should show evidence of consultation with the State Liaison Officer, the Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Response: The environmental statement was sent to the above for review and comment.

Comment: The environmental statement should show evidence of the use of the interdisciplinary approach in reaching the decision to consider the proposal.

Response: The decision to consider the proposal was made by the Committee on Public Works of the House of Representatives, United States, by resolution adopted 7 June 1961.

(5) BUREAU OF MINES, USDI

Comment: No comments to offer. (6) PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ED AND WELFARE

Comment: Do not foresee any adverse environmental effects within their field of responsibility.

(7) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, USPI

Comment: Foresee no adverse effect other than the increase in turbidity during construction.

(8 U. S. COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Comment: No comments received.

(9) NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE

Comment: No comments received.

(10) ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Comment: No comments received.

(11) DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ANTHROPOLOGY, LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Comment: A number of known archaeological sites and probably others, as yet, undocumented are in the project area, but no provisions have been made to date for survey or salvage work.

(12) LOUISIANA HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND CULTURAL COMMISSION

Comment: No comments received.

(13) LOUISIANA WILD LIFE AND FISHERIES COMMISSION

Comment: No comments received.

(14) LOUISIANA STREAM CONTROL COMMISSION

Comment: No comments received.

(15) LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Comment: Found that the statement adequately considered environmental factors and that project benefits outweighed any adverse effects. (16) LOUISIANA STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

Comment; No comments received.

(17) LOUISIANA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH

Comment: Do not anticipate any detrimental effect on public health resulting from the proposed project.

(18) VERMILION PARISH POLICE JURY

Comment; No comments received.

(19) JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH POLICE JURY

Comment; No comments received.

(20) CAMERON PARISH POLICE JURY

Comment; No comments received.

(21) ACADIA PARISH POLICE JURY

Comment: No comments received.

c # citizen groups. No environmental conflicts have been raised by citizen groups. United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF OUTDOOR RECREATION SOUTHEAST REGIONAL OFFICE 810 New Walton Building Atlanta, Georgia 30308

G 1371

Colonel Herbert R. Haar, Jr. District Engineer U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans Post Office Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160

Dear Colonel Haar:

Thank you for the draft environmental statement of April 6, 1971, prepared for the Mermentau River, Louisiana.

We have reviewed the draft statement and have no comments at this time.

Sincerely yours,

Roy K. Wood Regional Director

^ Acting

Forrest' 7. 7 " ’-*-'* ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WATER QUALITY OFFICE 1402 Elm Street, Third Floor Dallas, Texas 75202

May 19, 1971

District Engineer U. S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans P. 0. Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160

Dear Sir:

We have reviewed the Environmental Impact Statement prepared by your office for the proposed project, "Mermentau River, Louisiana." The plan of improvements include enlargement and realignment of channels on Bayou's Nezpique and des Cannes to 12 by 125 feet (with five cutoffs on each channel) and enlargement and realignment of the existing channel in Mermentau River above the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to 12 by 200 feet (with nine cutoffs). Also included in the plan of improvements is Federal participation in the cost of replacing the Louisiana State Highway 14 bridge at Lake Arthur.

The proposed plan should not have any long lasting effect on the quality of waters in the project area. The first paragraph of page 10 assures conformance with environmental protection measures. We suggest that mosquito control be included as another reason for preventing excessive ponding of water.

If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Sincerely yours,

KENTON KIRKPATRICK Director, Office of Planning UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF MINES

Intermountain Field Operation Center b u i l d i n g 20 DENVER FEDERAL CENTER DENVER, COLORADO 80225

April 26, 1971

Your reference: LMNED-PC

Lt. Col. William E. Lee, Jr. Acting District Engineer New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers P. 0. Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160

Dear Colonel Lee:

In reply to your April 6 letter, we have reviewed the draft environ­ mental statement on the Mermentau River project and find that we need add nothing to the remarks made by Mr. Floyd Everett in his letter of

July 17, 1970. We note that a copy of his letter is appended to the statement, and that it still presents an accurate summary.

Sincerely yours,

-^lT^r.^Meisin/^, Acting Chief Intermountain Field Operation Center Note 1:

The environmental statement should show evidence of: (1) the use of the interdisciplinary approach in reaching the decision to consider the proposal; (2) steps taken by the Federal agency to take into account the effect of the proposal upon the National property; (3) consultation with M e Off! < of Archeology and Historic Preservation and the State Liaison Officer; and (4) any action taken by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. For properties being considered for National Register nomination, the statement should show evidence of consultation with the State Liaison Officer.

Listed below is the name of the State Liaison Officer for Historic Preservation in your state.

LOUISIAN A Mr. George M. Leake, Chairman Louisiana Historical Preservation and Cultural Commission 833 Howard Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana 70113

Note 2 ;

Listed below is the name of the appropriate official to contact in your state regarding archeological resources within the project area.

LOUISIANA William G. Haag Department of Geography and Anthropology Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

*We are pleased that the statement takes into consideration the possible impact of the project upon archeological resources. As the statement points out, the loss of archeological sites can be mitigated by the survey and salvage operations of the Inter-Agency Archeological and Paleontological Salvage Program. However, it should be understood that such efforts are dependent on the availability of funds to the National Park Service through the regular appropriation process. Amounts for the Mermentau project area will be requested for inclusion in the Service's budget. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SOUTHEAST REGION RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23240 In reply refer to A98 SER(CP) April 29, 1971

Col. William E. Lee, Jr., Acting District Engineer New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers P. O. Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160

Dear Sir: Re: Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Mermentau River, La. Associated Water Features - Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mermentau River, Bayour Nezpique and Des Cannes, and Lake Arthur

We have reviewed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project described above attached to your letter of April 6, 1971.

This statement has been reviewed in sufficient depth to determine what effect this project might have on the following: Will affect Will not affect

Existing units of the National Park System X

Known potential units of the National Park System X

Natural Landmarks registered or eligible for registration X

National Historic Landmarks registered or eligible for registration X

National Register of Historic Places: The environmental statement should show evidence of consultation with the State Liaison Officer appointed by the Governor (see Enclosure, Note 1) for possible National Register properties that may exist in the area. These include all Register properties of state and local significance, as well as Registered National Historic Landmarks.

Archeological Resources: The environmental statement should recognize the possible effect of the project on archeological resources, indicating a survey has been made and giving the results thereof. (See Enclosure, Note 2, for appropriate official to contact in the state.) Recognized on Pages 10,14,15, and 16 of Statement. See comment under Note 2.* If we may be of further assistance please let us know. Sincerely yours,

Assistant Ulrector Southeast rnegion UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF MINES

Bartlesville Mineral Supply ROOM 204 FEDERAL BUILDING Field Office BARTLESVILLE. OKLAHOMA 74003

July 17, 1970

Colonel Herbert R. Haar, Jr. District Engineer U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers Refer to: LMNED-PC P. 0. Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160

Dear Colonel Haar:

We have reviewed authorized projects, and continuing construction projects listed in your letters of June 4, and June 10, 1970, for impact on human environment as outlined in the National Environ­ mental Policy Act of 1969, Section 102 (2) (C). Either no record was found, or our available information was insufficient to determine impact on human environment by any of the projects on the accompanying list.

Sincerely yours,

Floyd D. Everett, Chief AUTHORIZED PROJECTS THAT REQUIRE PREPARATION OF A STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 102(2) (C) , P.L. 90-190

1. Potential new start recommendations of Division Engineers within the next 2-year period for land acquisition or construction from the Water Resources 5-Year Investment Program.

Atchafalaya River & Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black, La. Grand Isle & Vicinity, La. (Hurricane Protection) Michoud Canal, La. Mississippi Delta Region (MR&T), La. Mississippi River at Venice, La. Teche-Vermilion (MR&T), La. Vermilion Lock, La.

2. Projects funded for construction, but not yet started as of this time. ("This time" as used in the preceding sentence has been determined to be 22 April 1970.)

Bayou Bodcau and Tributaries Choctaw Bayou, La. Harvey Canal-Bayou Barataria, La. Mermentau River and Tributaries Morgan City & Vicinity, La. (Hurricane Protection) Red River Emergency Bank Protection Tangipahoa River, La. CONTINUING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT REQUIRE PREPARATION OF A STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 102(2) (C) P.L. 90-190

a. Projects in a continuing construction status whenever there are unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of available resources. For projects (both continuing construction and O&M) statements will be prepared for those items on which there are known unresolved conflicts.

1. Atchafalaya Basin.

(a) East Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee enlargement

(b) West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee enlargement

(c) Drainage channel restoration, Wax Lake East Levee

(d) Dredging Whiskey Bay Pilot Channel to 80,000 square feet

2. Bayou Lafourche and Lafourche-Jump.

Bayou Lafourche Auxiliary Channel

3. Red River he.low Denison Dam.

Mays Lake Cutoff, mile 378 (1957 survey)

4. Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity (Hurricane Protection)

5. Morgan City and Vicinity (Hurricane Protection)

6. Cooper Reservoir and Channels. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION. AND WELFARE REGIONAL OFFICE 1114 COMMERCE STREET DALLAS. TEXAS 75202 PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE April 28, 1971 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

Community Environmental Management

William E. Lee, Jr. Lieutenant Colonel, CE Acting District Engineer Department of the Army New Orleans District Office P. 0. Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160

Re: Environmental Statement Mermentau River Project Louisiana, dated March 1971

Dear Colonel Lee:

Your letter of April 6, 1971, forwarding and requesting a review of the subject Statement by the U. S. Public Health Service has been directed to this Bureau for such a review in accordance with provisions of Section 102(2)(C) of P. L. 91-190.

Environmental Health programs retained in the U. S. Public Health Service of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare include Community Environmental Management (housing hygiene, injury control, recreational health and insect anu rodent control), Occupational Health and Safety, and certain elements of Radiological Health. Also, the Shellfish Sanitation program is organizationally located in the Federal Food and Drug Administration of DHEW-USPHS.

Accordingly, our review of the project Draft Environmental Statement was made from the standpoint of these program aspects excepting Shellfish, and we find nothing to indicate that the Mermentau River Project will have an adverse effect on the environment where our program standards and responsibilities are concerned, provided that State and local requirements are followed in concert with criteria outlined in the following publication:

Prevention and Control of Vector Problems Associated with Water Resources (Public Health Service Monograph, January 1965)

We will forward a copy of the Environmental Statement to the Federal Food and Drug Office for their review disposition regarding shellfish sanitation. Also, please be advised that responsibilities for community water supplies, water quality, air pollution control and solid waste management were transferred to the Environmental Protection Agency on December 2, 1970* In that this project proposal has major environmental implications for these areas, we suggest that if you have not already done so, you may want to direct a request for review comments on these aspects to Mr.Bill McFarland, Interim Regional Coordinator, Environmental Protection Agency, lllU Commerce Street, Dallas, Texas 75202.

Sincerely yours,

Samnel W. Hoover Community Environmental Management Rep.

cc: Mr. William C. Miller, BCEM, Rockville Floyd Norman, M.D., ARD for Health & Scientific Affairs Mr. Dan Reed, ARD for Planning and Evaluation Mr. Jerry Stephens, ARD, Asst. Reg. Dir. Intergovernmental Affairs Louisiana State Department of Health United States Department of the Interior

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water Resources Division 655^ Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, Louisiana 703o6

April 13, 1971

District Engineer U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District P.0. Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter of April 6, 1971, and the environ­ mental statement "Mermentau River, Louisiana" dated March 1971. A review was made limited to the effects of the proposed project on the hydrologic system. Your report recognizes the increase in turbidity from dredging during the construction period. I can see no other adverse effect.

This statement is based on available data and does not constitute official Interior Department review.

Sincerely yours,

FOR THE DISTRICT CHIEF

M. F. Cook, Hydrologist ce; Chief Hydrologist, WRD ATTN: George H. Davis Washington, D.C. 1-000-0000 Regional Hydrologist, MCR, WRD St. Louis, Missouri Louisiana State University AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE

BATON ROUGE • LOUISIANA • 70S03

July 14, 1971

Colonel R. Haar, Jr., District Engineer New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers P. 0. Box 60267 New Orleans, LA 70160

Dear Colonel Haar:

Your recent draft environmental statements regarding the Mermentau River, Louisiana project and the Petit Anne, Tigre and Carlin Bayous, Louisiana project were forwarded to me by Dr. W. G. Haag. Inasmuch as most of these matters are handled by this office, I would suggest that future correspondence be sent directly to me.

In respect to archaeological sites in the area of the Mermentau River project the draft statement is correct in that there are a number of recorded sites and it may be expected that addi­ tional ones are present, but undocumented. However, no pro­ visions have been implemented, to date, to survey the area or to conduct excavations as stated on pages 10 and 14.

This office does not have any archaeological sites documented in the immediate area of the Petit Anne, Tigre and Carlin Bayous project. This is no real indication of the presence or absence of sites, but simply the consequence of the area never having been archaeologically surveyed.

Thank you very much for your interest in these matters.

Respectfully,

Robert W. Neuman Curator of Anthropology STATE OF LOUISIANA

D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b l i c W o r k s

BATON ROUGE. LA. 70804

April 28, 1971

Colonel Herbert R. Haar, District Engineer U. 5. Army, Corps of Engineers P. 0. Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160

Dear Colonel Haar:

As requested by your letter of April 6, 1971, we have reviewed the draft statement on the project "Mermentau River, Louisiana . We find that the effects of the project on the environmental factors has been adequately covered by the statement. As brought out in the statement, although some adverse effects on the environment of the area will be caused by the project, the betterment to mankind as a result of the project will certainly outweigh any adverse effects.

We appreciate the opportunity to review and comment on the environmental statement for this project.

Sincerely yours,

C. H. DOWNS pqmrtmntt of Uglify LOUISIANA STATE OFFICE BUILDING

ANDREW WECMEG.M D..M P H

STATE HEALTH OFFICER

May 13, 197 i

William E. Lee, Jr. Lieutenant Colonel, CE Acting District Engineer Department of the Army New Orleans Dlstrit Corps of Engineers P. 0. Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160 Re: E nv i ro nme ntaI S ta feme nt for "Mermentau River, Louisiana" Project

Dear Sir: Receipt of your letter of April 6, 1971 is acknowledged.

We do not anticipate any detrimental effect on public health resulting from the proposed project. Very truly yours,

'James F. Coerver Assistant Director Bureau of Environmental Health