[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 105 (Friday, May 31, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38078-38079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13682]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the 
Future Dredging of Capron Shoal for the Fort Pierce Shore Protection 
Project in St. Lucie County, FL

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

ACTION:  Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Jacksonville District 
intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for 
further dredging at Capron Shaol to renourish the Fort Pierce Shore 
Protection Project (SPP) in St. Lucie County, FL.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William J. Lang Jr., U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, Environmental Branch, PO Box 
4970, Jacksonville, FL, 32232-0019, by e-mail 
[email protected], or by telephone at 904-232-2615.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   
    a. Project background and Authorization. Fort Pierce Inlet, 
originally cut by local interests in 1921, affects the littoral 
transport of sand north and south of the inlet. The north has accreted 
while there's been a significant loss of sand to the south. 
Accordingly, the Fort Pierce SPP, authorized by the River and Harbor 
Act of 1965, provided for restoration of 1.3 miles of shoreline south 
of Fort Pierce Inlet and for subsequent periodic renourishment as 
needed. Since 1971 more than 2 million cubic yards (cy) of beach 
nourishment and maintenance dredge sand has been placed on the beach. 
The project provides for a fifty-foot protective berm extending 1.3 
miles south of Fort Pierce Inlet. Extension of the project an 
additional one mile has been addressed in the Environmental Assessment 
(EA) dated August 1998. Groins are being considered for the eroding 
area south of the inlet and will be addressed in an EA.
    b. Need or Purpose. This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
evaluates the potential impacts of further dredging of Capron Shoal. 
The environmental analysis will incorporate the results of studies/
surveys of bryozoans, reef (hard bottom) and borrow area impacts. This 
EIS fulfills term and condition 4 of the March 12, 1999 Joint 
Stipulation for Entry of Dismissal of the Case Winston, et al., vs. Lt. 
Gen. Ballard.
    c. Proposed Solution and Forecast completion Date. Sand dredged 
from Capron Shoal would be used for placement on the Ft. Pierce Beach 
SPP as needed and appropriate.
    d. Prior EAs, EISs. EAs were completed in 1998; 1993-revised 94 & 
95 and in 1978 specifically for the nourishment of Ft. Pierce Beach 
SPP. In addition to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents 
prepared specifically for the Ft. Pierce Beach SPP; a 1993 EIS 
associated with the widening/deepening of the Ft. Pierce navigation 
channel; and, EAs for channel maintenance dredging were also prepared 
when sand from the channel was to be placed on Fort Pierce Beach.
    e. Alternatives. A reevaluation of alternatives, including 
structural alternatives to minimize the frequency and extent of 
dredging and beach placement will be done. Alternatives will include 
the No Action alternative. This EIS will analyze reasonable 
alternatives to dredging at Capron Shoal, including potential 
alternatives that would avoid or minimize the need for dredging.
    f. Issues. Those issues identified in b above shall be addressed in 
depth as well as the effects on Federally listed threatened and 
endangered species, essential fish habitat and community response to 
beach restoration impacts. Additionally, health and safety, water 
quality, aesthetics and recreation, fish and wildlife resources, 
cultural resources, energy conservation, socio-economic resources, and 
other impacts

[[Page 38079]]

identified through scoping, public involvement, and interagency 
coordination will be discussed.
    g. Scoping Process. A scoping meeting is not scheduled. The public 
will be involved in the planning process through mail solicitations and 
advisements. As a minimum, all parties who have expressed interest in 
the Fort Pierce SPP will be invited to participate in the planning 
process. Federal, state and local agencies, and other interested groups 
will also be involved. Meetings to address discrete issues or parts or 
functions of the study area may be called.
    h. Public Involvement. We invite the participation of affected 
Federal, state and local agencies, other interested private 
organizations, parties and the public.
    i. 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 
NMFS concerning Essential Fish Habitat and with the State Historic 
Preservation Officer.
    j. 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.
    k. Agency Role. The Corps and the non-Federal sponsor, St. Lucie 
County, will provide extensive information and assistance on the 
resources to be impacted, mitigation measures, and alternatives.
    l. DEIS Preparation. It is estimated that the DEIS will be 
available to the public on or about June 2002.

    Dated: May 21, 2002.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 02-13682 Filed 5-30-02; 8:45 am]
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