[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 2, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 29630] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-13888] [[Page 29630]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park, Florida AGENCY: U.S. Army corps of Engineers, Department of Defense. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The congressionally authorized Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park (Mod Waters) project consists of structural modifications and additions to the existing Central and Southern Florida project required to improve water deliveries for ecosystem restoration of the Park. The June 1992 Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Mod Waters project-induced an evaluation of a plan element consisting of structural features to mitigate project-induced flooding in a residential area in the East Everglades called the 8.5 Square Mile Area (SMA). In 1998, the local sponsor of the project, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), responded to a Florida Governor's Commission recommendation to evaluate other alternatives and requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) modify the authorized project to provide for a total buy-out of the area in lieu of the authorized flood mitigation plan. Additionally, the National Park Service recently stated that the 1992 authorized flood mitigation plan is not consistent with long term restoration of Everglades National Park. The proposed total buy-out of the 8.5 SMA will be addressed as a locally preferred option (LPO) in a Supplement to the Mod Waters Final Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232; Attn: Mr. Elmar Kutzbach, 904/232- 2325. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. The action proposed by the SFWMD is for a plan of total purchase of all private property within the 8.5 SMA to be substituted for the 1992 Federally authorized plan of constructing structural features to prevent the additional flooding in the 8.5 SMA that is expected when the Mod Waters project is fully operational (the flood mitigation plan). 2. Alternatives to be discussed include the LPO, the Federally authorized plan, and various water management structural configurations for the 8.5 SMA. 3. A Scoping letter and public Scoping Meeting 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. 4. The Draft SEIS will analyze issues related to loss of unique farm lands, water quality degradation endangered species protection, urban development impacts, agricultural flood protection, Everglades National Park ecosystem restoration, implementation time, potential impacts on other project features, and direct and secondary costs for construction, operation and maintenance, land management, and acquisition for each alternative plan. 5. The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been identified as Cooperating Agencies under the lead of the Corps for preparation of the SEIS. 6. 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. 7. A Scoping meeting will be held in Homestead, Florida at the Miami-Dade County Extension Office. The date and time will be announced in the Scoping letter. 8. The Draft SEIS is expected to be available for public review in the 4th quarter CY 1999. Mary V. Yonts, Alternate U.S. Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 99-13888 Filed 6-1-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-AJ-M