[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 1960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-770]


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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 (MWD Project) To Address a Change in Design of the Levee 67 and 
Levee 29 Water Conveyance Features Within Water Conservation Area 3 
(WCA 3), Including a Combined Operational Plan for the MWD and Canal 
111 (C-111) Projects

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

ACTION: Notice of intent (amendment).

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SUMMARY: Reference the previous Notice of Intent published in the 
Federal Register of September 24, 1999 (V.64, No. 185: pages 51740-
51741). The congressionally authorized MWD 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. 
The authorized C-111 Project consists of Water Pumping Stations and 
associated canals and water detention areas within the C-111 Basin 
immediately south of the MWD Project limits down to tidewater. This 
amendment provides for the addition to the SEIS of a Combined 
Operational Plan for the MWD and C-111 Projects.

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 and operation of the overall system down to tidewater. Seepage 
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 SEIS will analyze issues related to recreational 
fishing access, WCA 3B tree island flooding, introduction of poor 
quality water, Everglades National Park ecosystem restoration, and 
agricultural and residential flood protection.
    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 SEIS is expected to be available for public review in 
the 3rd quarter CY 2001.

    Dated: December 20, 2000.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 01-770 Filed 1-9-01; 8:45 am]
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