[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 104 (Tuesday, May 31, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31308-31309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13348]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Combined Operational Plan, 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 Combined Operational Plan (COP) is an integrated 
operational plan for Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA-3), Everglades 
National Park (ENP) and the South Dade Conveyance System (SDCS), that 
includes the completed modifications of the Central and Southern 
Florida (C&SF) Project as described by the Modified Waters Deliveries 
to Everglades National Park and the Canal-111 South Dade (C-111SD) 
projects. The purpose of COP is to define water management operations 
for the completed MWD and C-111SD projects that are consistent with 
their respective project purposes as defined by their authorizing 
legislation and further refined by their respective general design 
memorandum (GDM) and general reevaluation report (GRR). This integrated 
operational plan will complete the MWD project.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Gina Ralph at 904-232-2336 or e-
mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: a. Planning objectives include (1) Improving 
water deliveries into ENP and taking steps to restore natural 
hydrologic conditions in ENP to the extent practicable by: Timing: 
Changing the schedule of water deliveries so that it fluctuates in 
consonance with local meteorological conditions, including providing 
for long term and annual variation in ecosystem conditions in the 
Everglades; Location: Restoring Northeast Shark Slough as a functioning 
component of the Everglades hydrologic system; Volume: Adjusting the 
magnitude of water discharged to ENP to minimize the effects of too 
much or too little water. (2) Protecting the intrinsic ecological 
values associated with the WCA-3, Shark River Slough and ENP; (3) 
restoring hydrologic conditions in Taylor Slough, Rocky Glades and the 
eastern Panhandle of ENP; (4) eliminating damaging freshwater flows to 
Manatee Bay/Barnes Sound and increasing flows to northeast Florida Bay 
from the lower C-111; (5) including consideration of cultural values 
and tribal interests and concerns within WCA-3 and ENP; (5) and 
exploring opportunities for enhancing recovery of federally and state 
listed species, consistent with restoration objectives, the USACE's 
authorities for MWD and C-111 projects and operational considerations.
    b. A scoping letter will be used to invite comments from Federal, 
State, and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested 
private organizations and individuals.
    c. A scoping meeting will be held on June 28, 2011 from 6 to 9 p.m. 
at the Miami-Dade College, West Campus located at 3800 NW. 115th 
Avenue,

[[Page 31309]]

Doral, FL. Assistance for individuals with special needs or language 
translation will be available as needed by calling 904-232-1789.
    d. All 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.
    e. The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment is expected to be 
available for public review in the 1st quarter of 2013.

    Dated: May 18, 2011.
Eric P. Summa,
Chief, Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 2011-13348 Filed 5-27-11; 8:45 am]
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