[TN-Bird] ALABAMA NEWS: FYI and request for action: Changes coming to the US 431 pilings (breakwater) in Guntersville? (LONG)]
- From: "fekel" <fekel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:11:09 -0500
TN-BIRDERS:
Steve McConnell of AL forwarded this alert about changes to the
Guntersville breakwater to me. A number of TN birders have been
down to Guntersville in the winter to look for gulls on the pilings
as well as loons and grebes so changes would be of interest to
many of us as well as Alabama birders.
Written comments received by Oct. 4 will be sent on to the city.
An address is give and Steve suggests near the end birder points
of concern that might be identified in a sent letter.
Frank Fekel
Nashville, TN
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Fwd: [ALBIRDS] FYI and request for action: Changes coming to
the US 431 pilings (breakwater) in Guntersville? (LONG)
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:49:51 -0500
From: swmavocet <swmavocet@xxxxxxx>
Organization: evans
To: fekel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
References: <8CD2CC3EA6008BB-640-84BA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Frank,
This potential threat (?) to the US 431 pilings in Guntersville came to
my attention this evening. I know folks in Nashville include a stop at
this location from time to time during their field road trips. If you
think it's appropriate would you post this to TN-Birds or send it out to
whatever distribution list of people you think would want to know about
this.
I'm sorry I don't have more details. Hopefully they are just going to
buff-up the pilings and leave it at that but it seems to me that
wouldn't require $500,000... ???
Thanks a bunch,
Steve McConnell
-----Original Message-----
From: Swmavocet@xxxxxxx
To: albirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, Sep 27, 2010 8:30 pm
Subject: [ALBIRDS] FYI and request for action: Changes coming to the US
431 pilings (breakwater) in Guntersville? (LONG)
Folks,
Linda Reynolds called earlier this evening to make me aware of the
following public notice posted Sept 18, 2010, in the local Guntersville
newspaper (Advertising Gleam):
=============================================================================================================================
Public Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent
to Request Release of Funds
September 18, 2010, City of Guntersville, Alabama, 341 Gunter Avenue,
Guntersville, Alabama 35976, 256-571-7565.
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural
requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of
Guntersville, Alabama.
Request For Release Of Funds.
On or about October 5, 2010 the City of Guntersville will submit a
request to the HUD/State administering agency for the release of
Economic Development Initiative funds under the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, of 2010, as amended, to undertake a project known as
Guntersville City Harbor Breakwater removal and replacement. This
project would provide for protection of public harbor facilities located
within the city harbor which is located in north town, Guntersville
Reservoir at Tennessee River Mile 358.1 left descending bank. Estimated
project costs are $514 thousand dollars.
Finding Of No Significant Impact.
The City of Guntersville has determined that the project will have no
significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental
Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in
the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Guntersville City Hall
at 341 Gunter Avenue where the ERR can be examined or copied weekdays
9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Public Comments.
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or
wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to Milla
Sachs at 341 Gunter Avenue, Guntersville, Alabama 35976. All comments
received by October 4, 2010 will be considered by the City of
Guntersville prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of
funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
Release Of Funds.
The City of Guntersville certifies to HUD/State that Robert L. Hembree,
Jr. in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the
Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in
relation to the environmental review process and that these
responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD's/State's approval of the
certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws
and authorities, and allows the City of Guntersville to use Program funds.
Objections To Release Of Funds.
HUD/State will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of
Guntersvilleís certification for a period of fifteen days following the
anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request
(whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a)
the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City
of Guntersville; (b) the City of Guntersville has omitted a step or
failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24
CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred
costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of
funds by HUD/State; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40
CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is
unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections
must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required
procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to David Roarke, CPD
Representative, Birmingham Field Office, 950 22nd Street North, Suite
900, Birmingham 35203. Potential objectors should contact the Birmingham
Field Office to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Robert L. Hembree, Jr, Mayor, City of Guntersville, Alabama.
=======================================================================================
Now you all know what I know!
Linda has not seen a copy of the exact plan or design (ERR mentioned
above) so it is difficult to tell exactly what the scope of the desired
changes might be. Significant alterations to the existing piling
semi-circle and/or expansion of the minimal 'harbor' facilities in
existence, could make the area less attractive as a gull lounging and
rest area. During winter this may be the best (certainly one of the few
remaining) location(s) in north Alabama to see and study a wide variety
of gulls from a relatively short distance. The loss of access to or a
reduction in the attractiveness of this spot to gulls would be a loss to
the birding community from not only Alabama but surrounding states and
to visitors from farther away.
A Google view of this 'harbor' and the two chevron-sections of
breakwater pilings may be seen at (click Satellite View):
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=34.363392,-86.287951&spn=0.006483,0.013915&t=h&z=17&msid=113138002985249942540.000491478025942af00f1
<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=34.363392,-86.287951&spn=0.006483,0.013915&t=h&z=17&msid=113138002985249942540.000491478025942af00f1>
Again, since the exact project scope is unknown at this point, if you
would like to join us in submitting comments I suggest restricting your
concerns to the following points:
(1) The existing breakwater should be repaired and retained, if possible.
(2) Any work in this area should be planned outside of the
October-February period when gull concentrations here reach their peak.
(3) Whatever the eventual changes, a structure or structures attractive
to resting gulls should remain in the area as there has been for at
least the past 2-3 decades.
(4) Reducing the attractiveness of this location for gulls will result
in a definite reduction in birder tourism for Guntersville.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT ALL COMMENTS YOU WISH TO MAKE MUST BE IN THE
GUNTERSVILLE OFFICE BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 4.
TIME IS SHORT TO ACT!
Thank you for your patience,
Steve McConnell
Hartselle, AL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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- » [TN-Bird] ALABAMA NEWS: FYI and request for action: Changes coming to the US 431 pilings (breakwater) in Guntersville? (LONG)] - fekel
