[Federal Register: February 24, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 37)]
[Notices]
[Page 9529]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24fe06-56]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Everglades National Park Seepage Management Project, Miami-Dade County,
FL
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville
District, intends to prepare an integrated Project Implementation
Report/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PIR/DEIS) for the
Everglades National Park (ENP) Seepage Management Project. The study is
a cooperative effort between the Corps and the South Florida Water
Management District (SFWMD), which is also a cooperating agency for
this DEIS. The project seeks to reduce eastward water seepage from the
Everglades system for the benefit of wetland communities within ENP.
The ENP Seepage Management Project is comprised of three components
that were recommended as a part of the Central and Southern Florida
(C&SF) Project Comprehensive Review Study Feasibility Report and
Integrated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) dated April 1999
(Restudy), and is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
(CERP). The project includes an aboveground recharge area, a wetland
buffer area, relocation and enhancement of levee L-31N, a sheetflow
delivery system, and other features located adjacent to ENP in Miami-
Dade County.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning
Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL, 32232-
0019; Attn: Mr. Ernest Clarke or by telephone at 904-232-1199 or e-mail
at ernest.clarke@saj02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
a. Authorization: The authority for this project is contained
within the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2000.
b. Study Area: The study area is along a portion of the L-30 and L-
31N canals located north of structure G-211, south of structure S-335,
and west of structure S-380 in Miami-Dade County.
c. Project Scope: The scope includes conducting a watershed
assessment of the study area and developing alternative plans for
reducing seepage from ENP. The assessment will refine project
components developed in the Restudy. The evaluation of the alternatives
and selection of a recommended plan will be documented in the PIR/EIS.
The alternative plans will be reviewed under provisions of appropriate
laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act, Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act, Clean Water Act, and Farmland Protection
Policy Act.
d. Preliminary Alternatives: The ENP Seepage Management Project
includes three components of the C&SF Restudy: (1) S-356 Structures,
(2) L-31N Improvements for Seepage Management, and (3) Bird Drive
Recharge Area. The project described in the Restudy includes an
aboveground recharge area, a wetland buffer area, relocation and
enhancement of levee-canal L-31N, a sheetflow delivery system, and
other features located adjacent to ENP in Miami-Dade County. Further
formulation will determine the locations, sizes, configurations, and
operations of facilities.
e. Issues: The EIS will address the following issues: the relation
between this project and related projects including Modified Water
Deliveries to ENP; impacts to Miami-Dade West Wellfield and Biscayne
Bay, impacts to aquatic and wetland habitats; water flows; hazardous
and toxic waste; water quality; flood protection; the impacts of land
acquisition on the tax base; aesthetics and recreation; fish and
wildlife resources, including protected species; cultural resources;
and other impacts identified through scoping, public involvement and
interagency coordination.
f. Scoping: A scoping letter and multiple public workshops will be
used to invite comments on alternatives and issues from Federal, State,
and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested
private organizations and individuals. Additionally, a scoping meeting
will be held on March 14, 2006 in Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Auditorium,
9300 NW., 41st Street, Miami, FL 33178. Additional public meetings are
anticipated during the study. The exact location, dates, and times of
future meetings will be announced in public notices and local
newspapers.
g. DEIS Preparation: The integrated PIR, including a DEIS, is
currently estimated for publication in September 2008.
Dated: February 10, 2006.
Marie G. Burns
Chief, Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 06-1727 Filed 2-23-06; 8:45 am]
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