[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 233 (Thursday, December 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 67841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30158]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Water Conservation Area 3 Decompartmentalization and Sheet Flow 
Enhancement Project, Part 1

AGENCY: Department of the Army, 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 
(Corps), intends to prepare an integrated Project Implementation Report 
(PIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Water 
Conservation Area 3 (WCA-3) Decompartmentalization and Sheet Flow 
Enhancement Project Part 1 (Decomp Project). The project is a 
cooperative effort between the Corps and the south Florida Water 
Management District (SFWMD), which is also a cooperating agency for 
this Draft EIS (DEIS). WCA-3 (made up of WCA 3A and WCA 3B) is located 
immediately north of Everglades National park (ENP) in Broward and 
Miami-Dade Counties. Among the environmentally detrimental effects 
resulting from the construction of the Central and Southern Florida 
Project (C&SF), of which WCA 3 is a part, are the compartmentalization 
and constriction of historically broad wetlands, altered hydroperiods, 
reduction of wildlife, and degradation of water quality. The Decomp 
Project will investigate alternatives to reduce barriers to sheet flow 
such as canals and levees to the extent practicable. The goal is to 
restore historical sheet flow distributions, depth patterns, 
hydroperiods, and hydrologic connectivity in the various landscapes 
within WCA-3 and in Northeast Shark River Slough within ENP, thereby 
creating a sustainable environment suitable for the recovery and long-
term survival of native flora and fauna in concert with related 
projects.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning 
Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL, 32232-
0019; Attn: Ms. Janet Cushing or by telephone at 904-232-2259 or e-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    a. Authorization: Section 601 of the Water Resources Development 
Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-541) authorized the implementation of the 
Decomp Project.
    b. Study Area: The study area is the WCA-3 and the northeast 
section of Everglades National Park, in Broward and Miami-Dade 
Counties.
    c. Project Scope: The scope is to investigate alternatives to 
reduce barriers to sheet flow through modifications to the canals and 
levees in WCA-3, and modifications to the section of Tamiami Trail 
south of WCA-3B. Also, seepage control features may be constructed, as 
needed, along L-30 to prevent project-induced increased flood damages 
downstream. The evaluation of alternatives and selection of a 
recommended plan will be documented in the PIR and EIS.
    d. Preliminary Alternatives: The conceptual design features of the 
project presented in the 1999 C&SF Comprehensive Review Study include 
backfilling all or portions of the Miami Canal between S-8 and the east 
coast protective levee (L-33); increasing the conveyance capacity of 
four sections of the North New River Conveyance System to compensate 
for conveyance lost from the Miami Canal: (1) Along L-38 canal from S-7 
to S-34; (2) across Interstate 75; (3) on L-37 canal from I-75 to C-11; 
and (4) on L-33 canal from C-9 to C-6; constructing additional 
structures to pass flow from WCA-3A to WCA-3B through the L-67A Levee; 
degrading all or portions of the L-29 Levee from S-333 east to S-334 
and filling in all or portions of the L-29 borrow canal; raising and 
bridging all or portions of the Tamiami Trail from S-333 east to S-334; 
and constructing seepage control features along L-30. Alternative plans 
to be developed and evaluated may include a combination of these 
features to greater or lesser degrees, such as leaving canals in place, 
partial canal filling, strategic placement of fill plugs, the creation 
of tree islands from levee material, and exploring other possibilities 
that can meet the goals and objectives of the project.
    e. Issues: The EIS will address the following issues: The relation 
between this project and related projects including Modified Water 
Deliveries to ENP and other Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan 
projects; impacts to recreational fishing and hunting; impacts to 
aquatic and wetland habitats; water flows; hazardous and toxic waste; 
water quality; flood protection; aesthetics; fish and wildlife 
resources, including protected species; tree island habitat, cultural 
resources; socioeconomic issues; water supply; and other impacts 
identified through Scoping, public involvement and interagency 
coordination.
    f. Scoping: A Scoping letter and public workshops 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.
    g. DEIS Preparation: The integrated draft PIR, including a DEIS, is 
currently scheduled for publication in the second quarter of 2007.

    Dated: November 13, 2003.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 03-30158 Filed 12-3-03; 8:45 am]
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