[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11164-11165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03482]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft and Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Herbert Hoover Dike Major Rehabilitation Project and 
Dam Safety Modification Study, Okeechobee, Glades, Hendry, Martin, and 
Palm Beach Counties

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)

[[Page 11165]]

intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD) Major Rehabilitation Project and Dam Safety 
Modification Study. Herbert Hoover Dike is the 143 mile embankment 
surrounding Lake Okeechobee in south central Florida. A Dam Safety 
Modification Study has been initiated for the HHD and will be focused 
on a system wide risk reduction approach as required for safety 
modifications to dams. The purpose of the study is to identify risk 
reduction measures that can be implemented to reduce risks in the HHD 
system.
    On July 8 2005, the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers (Corps) issued a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (FSEIS) and Record of Decision for the Major Rehabilitation 
actions proposed for Reach One of the HHD. Several additional EISs and 
Environmental Assessments (EAs) have been completed for Reach One of 
the HHD, including installation of a seepage cutoff wall. The EISs for 
Reach 1A, Reach 1B, 1C, and 1D, and Reaches 2 and 3 have been retracted 
by notice in the Federal Register on February 5, 2013 (78 FR 8118-
8119). Most recently, an EA was completed in January 2012 evaluating 
impacts of an Alternative Rehabilitation Plan pilot test. The purpose 
of this pilot test, to be constructed in the southern portion of the 
HHD, is to seek lower cost solutions supporting the overall risk 
reduction strategy. Information gained from the pilot test will be used 
during the Dam Safety Modification Study.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Angela Dunn at (904) 232-2108 or 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Scoping: 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. A scoping meeting will be held February 26, 2013 from 6:30 
to 8:30 p.m. at the John Boy Auditorium, 1200 South W.C. Owen Avenue, 
Clewiston, Florida and February 28, 2013 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the 
Okeechobee County Health Department Auditorium, 1728 Northwest 9th 
Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida.
    Coordination and Public Involvement: The Corps will serve as the 
lead Federal agency in the preparation of the Draft EIS. The Corps 
intends to coordinate and/or consult with an interagency team of 
Federal, state, and local agencies as well as affected Indian Tribes 
during scoping and preparation of the Draft EIS. All alternative plans 
will be reviewed under provisions of appropriate laws and regulations, 
including but not limited to the Endangered Species Act, Fish and 
Wildlife Coordination Act, Clean Water Act, and National Historic 
Preservation Act. The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public 
review early summer 2014.

    Dated: February 5, 2013.
Eric P. Summa,
Chief, Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 2013-03482 Filed 2-14-13; 8:45 am]
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