The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed 2015 Tybee beach renourishment project.
The Draft EA and FONSI evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed beach renourishment for the Tybee Island Shore Protection Project on Tybee Island, Ga. The EA is the primary tool that the Corps uses to determine whether or not to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. Additionally, as determined by the findings of the draft EA, a draft FONSI is also available for public review. The Savannah District is seeking comments on the Draft EA and Appendices which may be downloaded from the District's website at: http://1.usa.gov/1bSJsQ2.
The proposed project would be cost shared with the City of Tybee Island.
This 3.5 mile long project was initially constructed in 1974 with a 50-year project life, with periodic renourishments to occur every 7 years. The beach was last renourished in 2008. The proposed project would occur between November 2015 and April 2016. The activity would be very similar to what was performed during previous renourishments. Similar techniques and equipment would be used, as well as enhanced measures for public safety.
The process involves using a cutterhead dredge to move about 1.7 million cubic yards of high quality sand from an area located 1.5 miles from the southern tip of Tybee Island. The deposited sand would be enough to compensate for the erosion expected to occur over the next nine years. The project will include placing sand up to the north terminal groin. This northern area was included in previous renourishment cycles, but not the 2008 renourishment.
Anyone wishing to comment to the Corps on this proposed action should submit comments in writing no later than Jan. 17, 2014, to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Planning Division, ATTN: Ms. Ellie Covington, 100 West Oglethorpe Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31401-0889. Comments may also be submitted via fax to 912-652-5787 or via email to CESAS-PD.SAS@usace.army.mil.
Release no. 13-046