[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1834-1835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-684]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army


Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for Improving the Regulatory Process in Lee and Collier Counties in 
Southwest Florida

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 improving 
the regulatory process in Lee and Collier Counties in Southwest 
Florida. The study is a cooperative effort among the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers and other government entities being invited to participate. 
The invited parties include the two counties and certain other 
government agencies at the local, regional, state, and Federal level.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water 
Act, the Corps of Engineers has regulatory authority to permit the 
discharge of dredged or fill material into wetlands and other waters of 
the United States. The guidelines pursuant to Section 404(b) of the act 
require that impacts to the aquatic environment be avoided and 
minimized to the extent practicable. Also, unavoidable impacts are to 
be compensated (mitigated) to the extent practicable. In determining 
whether to issue a permit, the Corps must also comply with other 
requirements including, but not limited to, the Endangered Species Act, 
the National Environmental Policy Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, 
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and other applicable Federal laws. 
Modifying land for new uses also involves zoning, land use planning, 
water management, and other regulatory/planning requirements at the 
local, regional, state, and Federal level.
    The purpose of this effort is to establish a better foundation of 
information and knowledge of existing conditions and identification of 
future alternatives for balancing the demands of growth and 
conservation. The goal of this effort is a more effective, timely, 
streamlined, cost-conscious, objective, productive, and predictable 
environmental permitting process for projects within the study area. 
The proposed action consists of one or more of several measures (see 
Alternatives below). The purpose of these measures is to facilitate 
efficient, timely, and appropriate planning and permitting while 
affording an appropriate level of environmental protection and wise use 
of natural resources.

Alternatives

    In addition to ``no action'', alternative measures being considered 
include the following: (1) Establishing overall conditions or concepts 
for permit approval; (2) identification of critical concerns, important 
natural resources, and sensitive ecological areas; (3) identifying an 
opportunity for one or more regional permits for expedited permitting 
of actions meeting established criteria; (4) establishing better 
communication and coordination among the regulating and planning 
agencies; and (5) other measures identified through scoping, public 
involvement, and interagency coordination.

Issues

    The EIS will consider impacts on protected species, health, 
conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, 
wetlands (and other aquatic resources), historic properties, fish and 
wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, 
navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply 
and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber 
production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and, 
in general, the needs and welfare of the people, and other issues 
identified through scoping, public involvement, and interagency 
coordination. At the present time, our primary areas of environmental 
concern are endangered species, wetland loss, mitigation, habitat 
fragmentation, surface water management, and surface water quality.

Scoping

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the proposed cooperating 
and participating agencies is being developed concerning the EIS. A 
draft of this MOU was circulated for comment in July 1997. Comments on 
the draft were shared by notice of August 25, 1997. We expect 
additional public meetings will be held by the Corps and/or other 
cooperating agencies prior to completion of the Draft EIS. If a formal 
public scoping meeting is held by the Corps, it will be announced. 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.

Public Involvement

    We invite the participation of affected Federal, state and local 
agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested private 
organizations and individuals.

Coordination

    The proposed action is being coordinated with a number of Federal, 
state, regional, and local agencies including but not limited to the 
following: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Florida Department of 
Environmental Protection, State Historic Preservation Officer, South 
Florida Water Management District, Lee and Collier Counties, Florida 
Department of Community Affairs, Florida Game and Freshwater Fish 
Commission, Florida Department of Transportation, Estero Bay Agency for 
Bay Management, Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Governor's 
Commission for Sustainable South Florida (Southwest Florida Issues 
Group), and other agencies as identified in scoping, public 
involvement, and agency coordination.

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, and determination of 
Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.

Agency Role

    Cooperating agencies include the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other Federal, state, 
and local agencies. The cooperating agencies will (1) help define and 
develop alternatives, (2) participate in or sponsor public meetings, 
and (3) provide technical assessment of impacts and benefits.

[[Page 1835]]

DEIS Preparation

    We estimate that the DEIS will be available to the public on or 
about October 1998.
John R. Hall,
Acting Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 98-684 Filed 1-9-98; 8:45 am]
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