[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51740-51741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24955]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Supplement to the 1992 Final Environmental 
Impact Statement on Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National 
Park (Mod Waters Project) To Address a Change in Design of the Levee 67 
and Levee 29 Water Conveyance Features Within Water Conservation Area 3 
(WCA 3)

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The congressionally authorized Mod Waters project consists of 
structural modifications and additions to the existing C&SF Project 
required to improve water deliveries for ecosystem restoration of 
Everglades National Park (Park). The authorized plan calls for 
construction of six water control structures in Levee 67 (L-67) and its 
adjacent canal, which partition WCA 3 into two basins, WCA 3A and WCA 
3B and two recently constructed structures in L-29. At the request of 
the local sponsor, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), 
the Corps will be revaluating the design of the water conveyance 
features and addressing the need for water seepage control for WCA 3B.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 
4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232; Attn: Mr. Elmar Kurzbach, 904-232-
2325.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Alternatives to be evaluated involve combinations of gated water 
control structures, passive structures (fixed-crest weirs), levee 
removal, and canal filling to convey water from WCA 3A into WCA 3B and 
from WCA 3B into Northeast Shark River Slough. Seepage

[[Page 51741]]

control alternatives involve combinations of new operational and 
structural elements such as pump stations.
    2. 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.
    3. The Draft EIS will analyze issues related to recreational 
fishing access, WCA 3B tree island flooding, introduction of poor 
quality water, and Everglades National Park ecosystem restoration.
    4. 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.
    5. The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public review in 
the 4th quarter CY 2000.

    Dated: September 10, 1999.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 99-24955 Filed 9-23-99; 8:45 am]
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