[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70585-70586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29883]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Indian River Lagoon-North Feasibility Study Located 
in Portions of Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, and 
Okeechobee Counties, FL

AGENCY: Department of the Army, 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 Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (DSEIS) for the Indian River Lagoon-North Feasibility Study. 
Encompassing the lagoon's northern watershed, the study area begins in 
Volusia County near the Ponce de Leon Inlet, extends southward through 
Brevard and Indian River counties, and ends near the Fort Pierce Inlet 
in St. Lucie County and northeast Okeechobee County, Florida. The 
objective of this study is to perform a comprehensive review of 
restoration alternatives for the lagoon.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul E. Stodola, U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, Planning Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, 
Jacksonville, FL, 32232-0019, by email 
[email protected] or by telephone at 904-232-3271.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    a. Proposed Action. The proposed Draft Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement (DSEIS) for the Indian River Lagoon-North Feasibility 
Study would supplement the Central and South Florida Programmatic 
Environmental Impact Statement completed in July 1999. A DSEIS for the 
Indian River Lagoon-South Feasibility Study, completed in October 2001, 
identified and assessed restoration alternatives for the lagoon's 
southern watershed. Authority and funds for the proposed action are 
provided by Section 528 of the Water Resources and Development Act of 
1996 (Pub. L. 104-303). A reconnaissance report has been completed and 
resulted in a recommendation to continue the study into the feasibility 
phase.
    The Indian River Lagoon-North estuarine ecosystem consists of three 
major water bodies: The Indian River, the Banana River, and the 
Mosquito Lagoon. This estuary is comprised of shallow interconnected 
linear lagoons interspersed with various types of habitats including 
seagrass, mangroves, and salt marsh. Tropical climatic influences 
converging with these habitat types have resulted in a unique and 
diverse assemblage of fauna and flora that occur nowhere else. 
Development and pollution have significantly degraded the water quality 
and reduced the biological productivity of the lagoon. The objective of 
this study is to identify and assess alternatives that would restore 
the lagoon's water quality and ecological conditions.
    b. Alternatives. Specific proposed restoration alternatives include 
the following:
    1. Goal I: Improve Ecological Values; Reduce excessive freshwater 
inflows and pollutant loadings to the Indian River Lagoon; Improve 
water quality in the Lagoon; Improve habitat for Lagoon biota, with 
emphasis on seagrass; Increase spatial extent and functional quality of 
submerged aquatic vegetation and watershed wetlands; Increase 
functional quality of native upland habitat; Maintain or improve 
diversity and abundance of native plant and animal species, including 
Federal, state, and local listed species.
    2. Goal II: Improve Economic Values and Social Well Being; Maintain 
or improve water supply; Maintain or improve flood protection; Improve 
opportunities for tourism, recreation, and environmental education; 
Improve commercial and recreational fisheries and associated 
industries.
    3. A No-Action Alternative is also being considered.
    c. Scoping Process. The scoping process as outlined by the Council 
on Environmental Quality would be utilized to involve Federal, State, 
and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested 
persons and organizations. A scoping letter would be sent to the 
appropriate parties requesting comments and concerns regarding issues 
to consider during the study.
    Significant issues to be analyzed in the DSEIS would include 
effects on Federally listed threatened and endangered species, 
Essential Fish Habitat, health and safety, water quality, aesthetics 
and recreation, fish and wildlife resources, cultural resources, 
socioeconomic resources, and other issues identified through scoping 
and public involvement.
    The proposed action would be coordinated with the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, with the NMFS 
concerning Essential Fish Habitat, and with the State Historic 
Preservation Officer.
    The proposed action would also involve evaluation for compliance 
with

[[Page 70586]]

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.
    The Corps and the non-Federal sponsor, St. Johns River Water 
Management District, would provide extensive information and assistance 
on the resources to be impacted and alternatives.
    d. Scoping Meetings. Public scoping meetings would be held. Exact 
dates, times, and locations would be published in local papers.
    e. DSEIS Availability. The DSEIS would be available on or about May 
2006.

    Dated: November 12, 2002.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 02-29883 Filed 11-22-02; 8:45 am]
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