[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44584-44585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15295]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Modification of the Kissimmee Basin Structure Operating Criteria

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for 
the Modification of the Kissimmee Basin (KB) Structure Operating 
Criteria.
    This project involves the establishment of a coordinated schedule 
of water level drawdowns throughout the seventeen lakes comprising the 
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, in the Kissimmee Upper Basin (KUB), and the 
possible effects on the Kissimmee Lower Basin (KLB). The ultimate 
purpose of the action is to facilitate environmental restoration 
throughout those water bodies. The local sponsor is the South Florida 
Water Management District.
    This Notice of Intent (NOI) constitutes a re-issue of the NOI 
titled: Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Portion of the Kissimmee River Restoration 
Project, and published in the Federal Register on May 19, 2005 (70 FR 
28923). The re-issue is due to the work undergoing a change in both 
title and scope, to now include the entire basin (KB) of the Kissimmee 
River.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Esteban Jimenez, 904-232-2551, 
Special Projects Section, Environmental Branch, Planning Division, P.O. 
Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The authority to conduct this comprehensive 
analysis is granted under Section 206 of the 1996 Water Resources 
Development Act. The Kissimmee River Basin flood control works were 
authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1954 as an addition to the 
Central & South Florida Flood Control Project. The primary project 
purposes are restoration of natural flooding in the historic floodplain 
in order to reestablish wetland conditions while maintaining the 
existing protection against flood damages within the Kissimmee Basin, 
and to improve the environmental setting of the KB area.
    The proposed action on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes includes: Lake 
Hart, Lake Mary Jane, East Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Myrtle, Lake 
Preston, Lake Conlin, Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Gentry, Lake Russell, 
Cypress Lake, Lake Marion, Lake Hatchinehea, Lake Pierce, Lake Rosalie, 
Tiger Lake, Lake Jackson, Lake Marian, and Lake Weohykapka. The lakes 
are all located in the Kissimmee River Upper Basin (KUB), and covers 
both Osceola and Polk Counties in Florida. The action is also expected 
to have effects on the Kissimmee Lower Basin (KLB).
    The objective of the study is to evaluate the possibility of 
implementing revised regulation schedules for the Upper Kissimmee Chain 
Of Lakes. This is so that common and coordinated regulation schedules 
can be enacted for the Chain of Lakes, in order to facilitate ecosystem 
restoration throughout the KB.
    Flora and Fauna--The 35,000 acres of wetlands that existed in the 
Kissimmee River Flood Plain prior to canalization are estimated to have 
declined to about 14,000 acres in the existing condition. Existing 
conditions of flora and fauna in the KB are addressed below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Type                            Total    Percent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Wetland Forested
Cypress.............................................       262       1.9
                   Wetland Prairie
Rhynchospora........................................      1005       7.2
Aquatic Grass.......................................      2359      16.8
Maidencance.........................................      2743      19.5
                    Wetland Shrub
Buttonbush..........................................       803       5.7
Primrose Willow.....................................       693       4.9
Willow..............................................      1639      11.7
Broadleaf...........................................      3447      24.4
Switchgrass.........................................       471       3.4
Tussock.............................................       630       4.5
                                                     -----------
    Total...........................................     14052       100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The lakes are generally surrounded by pine flatwoods, dry and wet 
prairies, and cypress domes.
    Wildlife in the Kissimmee River Lower Basin (KLB) consists of deer, 
small mammals, alligators and small reptiles, amphibians, 
invertebrates, wading birds, and ducks. Because of the large expanse of 
area involved, the following Federally-listed threatened or endangered 
species could occur in both the KUB and KLB: bald eagle, snail kite, 
indigo snake, Audubon's crested caracara, wood stork, and grasshopper 
sparrow.
    Endangered and threatened species in the KB include:

--Endangered: bald eagle, snail kite, wood stork, whooping crane, and 
Audubon's crested caracara, and Florida grasshopper sparrow.
--Threatened: indigo snake.
--State listed as threatened species: Sandhill crane.
--Species of special concern: American alligator, snowy egret, gopher 
tortoise, osprey, burrowing owl, limpkin, little blue heron, least 
tern, and tricolored heron.

    Fluctuating water levels of the lake littoral zones are important 
for over wintering waterfowl that utilize these lakes during 
migrational periods. Wading birds use the littoral zone as an important 
feeding habitat.
    Alternatives: The various scheduling alternatives will be developed 
upon modeling based on the determination of the existing environment 
and the goals to be attained. The no action alternative will be 
considered.
    Issues: The proposed action is to modify the regulation schedules 
for the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, to include periodic extreme low 
water stages for the purposes of enhancing the lake's environmental 
resources and improving the physical and chemical characteristics of 
these lakes. This habitat enhancement technique involves lowering lakes 
to consolidate bottom sediments and expand desirable aquatic plant 
communities. The extreme drawdown of these areas mimic low water 
conditions prior to flood control (activities which result in more 
stable water levels than would occur naturally). Low water levels 
historically occurred about every seven to ten years. The drawdown will 
be coordinated with the South Florida Water Management District 
(SFWMD).
    Habitat enhancement activities would be carried out by the Florida 
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or others acting under 
it. The FWC would obtain all necessary permits.
    Enhancement activities may include much removal, burning, discing 
and herbicide application to reduce dense

[[Page 44585]]

vegetation, tussock formation and organic build-up on lake bottoms.
    Scoping: Scoping public and agency comments on this work will take 
place from June 2005 to August 2006, by means of a scoping letter. 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. At this time, there are no plans for a public scoping meeting.
    Public Involvement. We invite the participation of affected 
Federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other 
interested private organizations and parties.
    Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with the 
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under Section 7 of the Endangered 
Species act, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the 
State Historic preservation Officer.
    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; and certification of state lands, easements, and 
rights of way.
    Agency Role: As non-Federal sponsor and leading local expert; the 
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will provide extensive 
information and assistance on the resources to be impacted, mitigation 
measures, and alternatives.
    DESIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be available 
to the public on or about November 2006.

    Dated: July 11, 2005.
Susan S. Lucas,
Acting Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 05-15295 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AJ-M