[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58381-58382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28308]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Broward County Beach Erosion Control Project in Broward County, 
FL

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 
construction of appropriate reaches of Segments II (Hillsboro Inlet to 
Port Everglades) and III (Port Everglades to South County Line) of the 
Broward County Beach Erosion Control Project. The Project is a 
cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (lead 
Federal agency) and Broward County Department of Planning and 
Environmental Protection (cooperating agency).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Dugger, 904-232-1686, 
Environmental Branch, Planning

[[Page 58382]]

Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Broward County, Florida, Beach Erosion 
Control and Navigation Project was authorized by Public Law (Pub. L.), 
Public Works--River and Harbor (79 Stat. 1073) passed 27 October 1965 
in accordance with the recommendations of the Chief of Engineers in 
House Document 91, 89th Congress. Authorization for periodic beach 
nourishment of the Project was extended to 50 years from the date of 
original construction by Section 506(a)(1) of the Water Resources 
Development Act of 1996. The Project will involve placement of 
approximately 3.5 million cubic yards of material along 17.35 miles of 
Broward County's coastline. The authorized Project includes two 
segments. In Segment II (Hillsboro Inlet to Port Everglades), fill will 
be placed along beaches in southern Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-
Sea, and northern and central Fort Lauderdale. In Segment III (Port 
Everglades to the south County line), fill will be placed along the 
entire segment, including John U. Lloyd Beach State Recreation Area, 
Dania Beach, Hollywood, and Hallandale Beach. Fill will be obtained 
from seven discrete borrow areas located offshore of the central and 
northern portion of the County. Previous beach fill construction, 
totaling approximately twelve miles of beach length, has occurred twice 
in Segment II (Pompano Beach/Lauderdale-By-The-Sea in 1970 and 1983) 
and twice each in two areas of Segment III (John U. Lloyd Beach State 
Recreation Area in 1976 and 1989, and Hollywood/Hallandale in 1979 and 
1991). Authorization for Federal participation in periodic beach 
nourishment of Segment II expires in 2020 and in Segment III in 2030.
    Alternatives: Alternatives considered include no action, continued 
nourishment of previously restored areas, initial restoration of 
previously unconstructed areas, modifications to beach fill amounts, 
widths, elevations, and/or extent, construction of groins and/or 
breakwaters, and beach fill/groin combination. Alternative sand sources 
in addition to the use of a borrow area for nourishment, include 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: The scoping process will involve Federal, State, County 
and municipal agencies and other interested persons and organizations. 
A scoping letter will be sent to interested organizations and 
individuals and to Federal, State, County, and municipal agencies, 
requesting their comments and concerns.
    Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected 
Federal, State and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other 
interested private organizations and parties. At this time, we have no 
plans to hold a public scoping meeting.
    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; The Broward County Department of Planning and 
Environmental Protection, Biological Resources Division, 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 by January 2000.

    Dated: October 1, 1999.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 99-28308 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am]
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