[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3012-3013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1335]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers
Department of the Army


Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Dade County Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project, 
Project Modification at Sunny Isles

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Dade 
County Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project, Project 
Modification at Sunny Isles. The study is a cooperative effort between 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Dade County Department of 
Environmental Resources Management (DERM) which is also a cooperating 
agency for this DEIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kenneth Dugger, 904-232-1686, Environmental Branch, Planning Division, 
P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane 
Protection (BEC & HP) Project for Dade County, Florida was authorized 
by the Flood Control Act of 1968. The Supplemental Appropriations Act 
of 1985 and the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-
662) provided authority for extending the northern limit of the 
authorized project to include the construction of a protective beach 
along the 2.5 mile reach of shoreline north of Haulover Beach Park 
(Sunny Isles) and for periodic nourishment of the new beach.
    Beach fill placed along the northern portion of Sunny Isles rapidly 
erodes due to spreading (end) losses. Following each beach fill 
placement, a large discontinuity in berm widths exists at the Sunny 
Isles/Golden Beach city limit. Material from the wide post-nourishment 
Sunny Isles shoreline diffuses rapidly northward into Golden Beach, 
which is offset approximately 150 feet further landward immediately 
following beach fill placement.
    To resolve the problem of end losses and to increase storm 
protection along the Sunny Isles coastline, a combination of 
interacting and interdependent shore protection measures have been 
studied. The proposed action consists of construction of a 120 foot 
wide advance maintenance berm (along Sunny Isles Beach), a 1500 foot 
beach fill transition (offshore Golden Beach), and two 400 ft

[[Page 3013]]

segments of submerged geotextile breakwater (offshore Sunny Isles). All 
construction of the beach fill transition offshore of Golden Beach 
would occur on State of Florida lands, which are located below the mean 
high water line. The transition would taper from 120 feet wide at the 
Sunny Isles/Golden Beach city limit to zero feet, over a length of 1500 
feet offshore of Golden Beach. The planned source of borrow for this 
action is a southerly extension of an offshore borrow site south of 
Government Cut. The forecast completion date for the proposed project 
modification would be by the end of 1998.
    The 2nd Periodic Renourishment at Sunny Isles was addressed in a 
final Environmental Assessment dated May 1995. The proposed 
modification primarily differs from the 2nd Periodic Renourishment in 
that it uses a different borrow source, places additional material on 
the beach (an advance maintenance berm), and it also involves two 
project features not previously used at this location. These are a 
geotextile breakwater (offshore of Sunny Isles) and a transition fill 
(offshore of Golden Beach). The proposed action including the above was 
described in the feasibility study and final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the ``Coast of Florida Erosion and Storm Effects Study, 
Region III'' dated November 1996 but was not proposed for authorization 
in that document.
    Alternatives: Alternatives considered include no action, non-
structural measures, the construction of revetments, perched beaches, 
breakwaters, beach fills of varying widths, construction of submerged 
nearshore berms, beach fill transitions, and a beach fill/groin 
combination. Alternative sand sources in addition to the use of the 
proposed borrow area for nourishment, include the use of other local 
offshore sand sources, the use of other sand sources such as upland 
sources, Bahamian sand, other foreign sands, or other distant sources.
    Issues: The EIS will consider impacts on coral reefs and other 
hardbottom communities, protected species, shore protection, health and 
safety, water quality, aesthetics and recreation, fish and wildlife 
resources, cultural resources, energy conservation, socio-economic 
resources, and other impacts identified through scoping, public 
involvement, and interagency coordination.
    Scoping: A scoping letter was sent to interested parties on April 
21, 1993. In addition, all parties are invited to participate in the 
scoping process by identifying any additional concerns on issues, 
studies needed, alternatives, procedures, and other matters related to 
the scoping process. At this time there are no plans for a public 
scoping meeting.
    Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected 
Federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other 
interested private organizations and parties.
    Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, with the FWS 
under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the State 
Historic Preservation Officer.
    Other Environmental Review and Consultation: The proposed action 
would involve evaluation for compliance with guidelines pursuant to 
Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act; application (to the State of 
Florida) for Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the 
Clean Water Act; certification of state lands, easements, and rights of 
way; and determination of Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.
    Agency Role: As cooperating agency, non-Federal sponsor, and 
leading local expert; DERM will provide extensive information and 
assistance on the resources to be impacted, mitigation measures, and 
alternatives.
    DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be available 
to the public on or about February 1, 1997.

    Dated: December 31, 1996.
Hanley K. Smith,
Acting Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 97-1335 Filed 1-17-97; 8:45 am]
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