[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 57 (Friday, March 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 16191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7257]


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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 Feasibility Study of Navigation Improvements at Port Everglades, 
Broward County, FL

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

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 (DEIS) for 
the Feasibility Study of Navigation Improvements, Port Everglades 
Harbor, Broward County, Florida. The study is a cooperative effort 
between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Broward County 
Department of Port Everglades.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
can be directed to Rea Boothby at (904) 232-3453, Environmental Branch, 
Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Project Background and Authorization. Port Everglades was 
originally constructed by local interests between 1925-1928, and was 
authorized for Federal maintenance by the River and Harbor Act of 1930 
and subsequent Acts.
    2. Need or Purpose. Improvements, including channel deepening and 
widening, are required to accommodate future commercial fleet and to 
more effectively transit the existing fleet.
    3. Proposed Solution and Forecast Completion Date. Widen and deepen 
every major Federal channel and basin within the project and develop 
(widen and deepen) the Dania Cutoff Canal. Construction is forecast to 
begin around March 2003.
    4. Prior Environmental Assessments (EAs) EISs. An EA was prepared 
in 1990 to accommodate dredging in the Southport access channel and 
Turning Notch.
    5. Alternatives. Alternatives currently considered include no 
action, and 9 structural alternatives.
    6. Issues. The EIS will consider impacts on seagrasses (including 
Johnson Seagrass, a threatened species), mangrove and hardbottom 
communities, other 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.
    7. Scoping Process.
    a. A scoping letter was sent to interested parties in June 1997. In 
addition, all parties are invited to participate in the scoping process 
by identifying any additional concerns on issues, studies needed, 
alternatives, procedures, and other matters related to the scoping 
process.
    b. Public Meeting. A public scoping meeting will be held on March 
28, 2001 at 7 P.M. in the Broward County Commission Chambers located at 
115 South Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. An agency scoping meeting 
will be held on March 29, 2001 at Port Everglades.
    8. Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected 
Federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other 
interested private organizations and parties.
    9. Coordination. The proposed action is being coordinated with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, with the 
FWS under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, with the NMFS 
concerning Essential Fish Habitat and the State Historic Preservation 
Officer.
    10. 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 the Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.
    11. Agency Role. The Corps and the non-Federal sponsor, Broward 
County Department of Port Everglades, will provide extensive 
information and assistance on the resources to be impacted, mitigation 
measures, and alternatives.
    12. DEIS Preparation. It is estimated that the DEIS will be 
available to the public on or about September 2001.

Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-7257 Filed 3-22-01; 8:45 am]
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