[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 9529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1727]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Everglades National Park Seepage Management Project, Miami-Dade 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 an integrated Project Implementation 
Report/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PIR/DEIS) for the 
Everglades National Park (ENP) Seepage Management Project. The study is 
a cooperative effort between the Corps and the South Florida Water 
Management District (SFWMD), which is also a cooperating agency for 
this DEIS. The project seeks to reduce eastward water seepage from the 
Everglades system for the benefit of wetland communities within ENP. 
The ENP Seepage Management Project is comprised of three components 
that were recommended as a part of the Central and Southern Florida 
(C&SF) Project Comprehensive Review Study Feasibility Report and 
Integrated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) dated April 1999 
(Restudy), and is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan 
(CERP). The project includes an aboveground recharge area, a wetland 
buffer area, relocation and enhancement of levee L-31N, a sheetflow 
delivery system, and other features located adjacent to ENP in Miami-
Dade County.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning 
Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL, 32232-
0019; Attn: Mr. Ernest Clarke or by telephone at 904-232-1199 or e-mail 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    a. Authorization: The authority for this project is contained 
within the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2000.
    b. Study Area: The study area is along a portion of the L-30 and L-
31N canals located north of structure G-211, south of structure S-335, 
and west of structure S-380 in Miami-Dade County.
    c. Project Scope: The scope includes conducting a watershed 
assessment of the study area and developing alternative plans for 
reducing seepage from ENP. The assessment will refine project 
components developed in the Restudy. The evaluation of the alternatives 
and selection of a recommended plan will be documented in the PIR/EIS. 
The alternative plans will be reviewed under provisions of appropriate 
laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act, Fish and 
Wildlife Coordination Act, Clean Water Act, and Farmland Protection 
Policy Act.
    d. Preliminary Alternatives: The ENP Seepage Management Project 
includes three components of the C&SF Restudy: (1) S-356 Structures, 
(2) L-31N Improvements for Seepage Management, and (3) Bird Drive 
Recharge Area. The project described in the Restudy includes an 
aboveground recharge area, a wetland buffer area, relocation and 
enhancement of levee-canal L-31N, a sheetflow delivery system, and 
other features located adjacent to ENP in Miami-Dade County. Further 
formulation will determine the locations, sizes, configurations, and 
operations of facilities.
    e. Issues: The EIS will address the following issues: the relation 
between this project and related projects including Modified Water 
Deliveries to ENP; impacts to Miami-Dade West Wellfield and Biscayne 
Bay, impacts to aquatic and wetland habitats; water flows; hazardous 
and toxic waste; water quality; flood protection; the impacts of land 
acquisition on the tax base; aesthetics and recreation; fish and 
wildlife resources, including protected species; cultural resources; 
and other impacts identified through scoping, public involvement and 
interagency coordination.
    f. Scoping: A scoping letter and multiple 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. Additionally, a scoping meeting 
will be held on March 14, 2006 in Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Auditorium, 
9300 NW., 41st Street, Miami, FL 33178. Additional public meetings are 
anticipated during the study. The exact location, dates, and times of 
future meetings will be announced in public notices and local 
newspapers.
    g. DEIS Preparation: The integrated PIR, including a DEIS, is 
currently estimated for publication in September 2008.

    Dated: February 10, 2006.
Marie G. Burns
Chief, Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 06-1727 Filed 2-23-06; 8:45 am]
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