[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 101 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29312-29313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2580]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a 
New Borrow Area for the Martin County Beach Erosion Control Project 
Located in Martin 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, Jacksonville District, 
intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a 
new borrow area for the Martin County Beach Erosion Control Project. In 
cooperation with Martin County, the study will evaluate alternative 
sand sources that will maximize shore protection while minimizing 
environmental impacts.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, 
Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul M. DeMarco, by e-mail 
[email protected] or by telephone at (904) 232-1897.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    a. Proposed Action. The Martin County, FL, Beach Erosion Control 
project was authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 1990 
passed November 28, 1990 (Pub. L. 101-640) in accordance with the 
report of the Chief of Engineers dated November 20, 1989. The final 
Environmental Impact Statement was filed with the Environmental 
Protection Agency in 1986. Prior to construction, General Design 
Memorandum (GDM) dated June 1994 was prepared. The project was 
authorized for 50 years from date of initial construction in 1996. The 
authorized plan consisted of restoration of 4 miles of shorefront 
southward from the St. Lucie County line to near the limit of Stuart 
Public Park (R1-R25). The previously approved borrow area has been 
depleted. The DEIS will evaluate various sources of beach quality sand, 
the impacts from removal of this sand on the environment and coastal 
processes, and the impacts from nourishing the beach with this sand. 
Subsequently a final EIS will be published.
    b. Alternatives. Specific proposed alternatives at this time 
include hydraulic dredging of beach quality sand from offshore shoals, 
truck-haul beach fill from upland sources, and no-action.
    c. Scoping Process. The scoping process as outlined by the Council 
on Environmental Quality will be utilized to involve Federal, State, 
and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested 
persons and organizations. A scoping letter will be sent to the 
appropriate parties requesting their comments and concerns. Any persons 
and organizations wishing to participate in the scoping process should 
contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (see ADDRESSES).
    Significant issues to be analyzed to the DEIS would include effects 
on Federally listed threatened and endangered species, Essential Fish 
Habitat with particular concern for nearshore hardbottom habitat. Other 
issue would be health and safety, water quality, aesthetics and 
recreation, fish and wildlife resources, cultural resources, socio-
economic resources, and any 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 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, easement, and rights of way; and determination of Coastal Zone 
Management Act consistency.

[[Page 29313]]

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the non-Federal sponsor, 
Martin County, 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. Draft Environmental Impact Statement Availability: The Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement would be available on or about October 
2007.

    Dated: May 19, 2007.
Stuart J. Appelbaum,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 07-2580 Filed 5-24-07; 8:45 am]
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