[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 157 (Monday, August 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49553-49554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20570]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for a Dredge and Fill Permit Application for the Farmland Hydro LP 
(FHLP) Proposed Mine Project in Hardee County, Florida

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act, (33 U.S.C. 
1344) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has regulatory authority to 
permit the discharge of dredge and fill material into wetlands and 
other waters of the United States. In compliance with its 
responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, (41 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers intends to prepare a DEIS in conjunction with review 
of a dredge and fill permit application for the FHLP Hardee County Mine 
Project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald H. Silver, (904) 232-2502, West 
Permits Branch, Regulatory Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, 
Florida 32232-0019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FHLP proposes to construct and operate a 
phosphate rock mine within its 15,000-acre property in Hardee County 
near the rural community of Ona, Florida. The phosphate rock will be 
converted elsewhere to a form that can be used as an essential crop 
nutrient or for other applications such as consumer products.
    The project will include mining, clay storage, reclamation, and a 
beneficiation plant for washing and refinement of the rock, including 
various support facilities. FHLP proposes to use electric draglines to 
remove and set aside the surface soils overlying the ore 
(``overburden''), and excavate the phosphate ore (``matrix'') for 
beneficiation.
    After excavation by the dragline, the matrix is mixed with water to 
form a slurry, which is then pumped through pipelines to the 
beneficiation facility. During beneficiation, the phosphate rock is 
separated from the sand and clay, which are returned to the mine for 
use in reclamation.
    Areas proposed for mining include wetlands and related areas under 
Corps jurisdiction pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This 
project has been proceeding under the ``ecosystem management team 
permitting'' (``team permitting'') process established by state law. 
The Corps, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have been participating in the 
identification of issues, review and approval of methodologies for site 
assessment, and the evaluation of existing conditions within the 
project boundaries. FHLP is preparing applications for consideration by 
the permitting team and has advised the Corps of its intent to submit 
an application for approval under section 404 for mining, reclamation 
and enhancement of wetlands and related areas. The Corps has determined 
that a site specific DEIS will be prepared prior to issuance of section 
404 authorization for these activities.
    Some areas of the site are being proposed for enhancement as part 
of the mitigation for mining impacts or ``net ecosystem benefits'' as 
required by the state team permitting program. Impacts to these areas 
resulting from enhancement efforts, including benefits, will be 
evaluated. Other wetland areas will be preserved and considered in the 
assessment of the project.
    Current site conditions have been evaluated using methodologies for 
assessment of wetlands function and boundaries, wildlife habitat and 
usage (including protected species), surface water quality and flow, 
ground water conditions, and impacts from agriculture and other man-
induced changes.
    Alternatives: One aspect of team permitting has been a focused and 
continuing effort to involve the public, through working groups and 
public meetings. Members of the local community, environmental groups 
and potentially affected neighboring interests have been invited to 
participate and have given substantial input to the identification of 
issues and alternatives. The alternatives analysis conducted to date 
will be utilized in the preparation of the DEIS.
    Alternatives to be considered include the following:
    No Action Alternative: As required by the CEQ Regulations, the 
Corps must consider the implications of the ``No Action'' alternative 
(no issuance of required section 404 permits).
    Alternative mining and clay disposal scenarios: The agency 
permitting team members have considered a number of alternative mining 
and clay disposal scenarios, with various degrees and patterns of 
wetlands preservation, disturbance and reclamation and various effects 
on the economic viability of the project. These alternatives have also 
included different alignments for a proposed wildlife corridor system 
to be established through a combination of preservation, enhancement 
and reclamation of wetlands and upland systems.
    Alternative water supply sources and water management: Members of 
the permitting team have suggested analysis of options for water supply 
other than the traditional use of groundwater. This alternatives review 
will consider ways of reducing or avoiding dependence on groundwater 
resources.
    Alternative mining and reclamation methodologies: Options for plant 
site location, matrix excavation and transport, ore processing, 
effluent disposal, waste clay and sand disposal, reclamation, and 
product transport will be evaluated.
    Postponement of Action: Delay of the proposed action will be 
reviewed.
    Other alternatives identified under the scoping process will also 
be addressed.
    Issues: The EIS will consider impacts on wetlands, protected 
species, fish and wildlife values, conservation, flood hazards, 
floodplain values, land use, recreation, water supply and

[[Page 49554]]

conservation, water quality, energy needs, health, economics, historic 
properties, 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.
    Scoping: Public meetings have been conducted since mid-1998 under 
the Ecosystem Management/Team Permitting process established in 
sections 403.075 and 403.0752, Florida Statutes. Issues raised by 
public participants in the Team Permitting process will be incorporated 
into the scoping process. At this time, there are no plans for a public 
scoping meeting. Alternatives noted above are considered to be the 
primary areas of review at this time, although affected federal, state 
and local governments and governmental agencies, affected Indian tribes 
and other interested private organizations and parties are strongly 
encouraged to support additional alternatives for consideration and 
otherwise submit comments on the scope of the DEIS.
    Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected 
federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other 
interested private organizations and parties by submitting written 
comments to the information contact provided in this notice.
    Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife (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 following State of 
Florida agencies: State Historic Preservation Officer, Fish & Wildlife 
Conservation Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau 
of Mine Reclamation.
    Other Environmental Review and Consultation: The proposed action 
would involve application (to the State of Florida) for Water Quality 
Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and 
certification of State lands, easements, and rights of way.
    DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be available 
to the public on or about February 28, 2001.

    Dated: August 1, 2000.
John R. Hall,
Chief, Regulatory Division.
[FR Doc. 00-20570 Filed 8-11-00; 8:45 am]
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