[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1028-1029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00085]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Revised Notice of Intent and Scoping Meeting for Loxahatchee 
River Watershed Restoration Project (Formerly Called North Palm Beach 
County Part 1) Associated With Prior Notice of Intent To Develop a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement Issued October 16th, 2002

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

ACTION: Revised notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Jacksonville District 
intends to prepare a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
assessment to restore and sustain the overall quantity, quality, 
timing, and distribution of freshwaters to the federally designated 
``National Wild and Scenic'' Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River 
for current and future generations in Martin and Palm Beach Counties of 
Florida.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Andrew J. LoSchiavo, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 
4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019, by email 
[email protected], or by telephone at 904-232-2077.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    a. Project Background and Authorization. This notice is in regards 
to a re-scoping of a Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) 
feasibility study originally entitled North Palm Beach County Part 1 
and renamed the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project 
(LRWRP). The LRWRP contains several of the 68 restoration project 
components envisioned as part of the Comprehensive Everglades 
Restoration Plan authorized by the U.S. Congress in section 601 of the 
2000 Water Resources Development Act. The LRWRP Project Delivery Team 
(PDT) identified a Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) in August 2010. 
Prior to the approval of the TSP, a select component of the plan was 
repurposed to accomplish specific state water quality objectives and it 
was determined this component would not be available to achieve water 
quantity, timing, and distribution goals of the project. This resulted 
in the need to rescope project objectives and identify additional 
alternatives through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) SMART 
Planning process. This study will use the best available science to 
develop an array of project alternatives and select a recommended plan 
to achieve restoration within the Loxahatchee River Watershed and 
provide restoration flows to the Loxahatchee River Northwest Fork and 
estuary.
    b. Need or Purpose. This NEPA Assessment will evaluate the 
potential benefits and impacts of restoring and sustaining the overall 
quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of freshwaters to the 
federally designated ``National Wild and Scenic'' Northwest Fork of the 
Loxahatchee River for current and future generations. This project also 
seeks to restore, sustain, and reconnect

[[Page 1029]]

the area's wetlands and watersheds that form the historic headwaters 
for the river. These areas include Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Pal 
Mar East/Cypress Creek, Dupuis Wildlife and Environmental Management 
Areas, J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Grassy Waters Preserve, 
Loxahatchee Slough, the last remaining riverine cypress stands in 
Southeast Florida in the Loxahatchee River, and the Loxahatchee River 
Estuary.
    c. Proposed Solution and Forecast Completion Date. The LRWRP seeks 
to address these goals by developing alternatives that will capture, 
store, and redistribute water currently lost to tide; rehydrate 
headwater natural areas that have been hydrologically impacted by 
excessive draining and water diversions; reduce peak discharges to the 
project's estuarine systems; improve timing and distribution of water 
from the upstream watershed to increase the resiliency of freshwater 
riverine habitats to future sea-level changes; and reestablish 
connections among natural areas. If implemented, these actions will 
help restore more natural water deliveries, promote improved health and 
functionality of wetland and upland areas, and increase the quantity 
and quality of habitat available for native wildlife and vegetation.
    d. Prior EAs, EISs. An EIS was prepared in 1999 associated with the 
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan that proposed 68 project 
component modifications of the Central and Southern Florida Project.
    e. Alternatives. A reevaluation of alternatives that include the 
following management measures will be pursued--
    1. Spreader Canals, Flowways--Shallow canals to distribute and 
improve water delivery and connectivity of flow.
    2. Spill Ways, Weirs, and Gravity Structures--to deliver allow 
water to move as specific depths.
    3. Pump Stations--New Pump Stations to distribute and improve water 
delivery.
    4. Backfill or plugging of canals--Internal drainage and routing 
features in the system would be plugged, partially or completely 
backfilled to improve surface water distribution and eliminate 
drainage.
    5. Removal of levees and berms--Levees or berms would be degraded 
or removed to allow water to sheetflow freely.
    6. Bridges and Culverts--Structures to be used to allow water flows 
through existing barriers in the systems.
    7. Storage Features--Shallow, intermediate and deep water 
reservoirs, flow equalization basins and aquifer storage and recovery 
for capturing, holding and delivering both normal and peak flows and 
discharging when water required.
    8. Operational Changes--Adjustments to operational criteria to 
improve timing and distribution of flow.
    9. Non-Structural Solutions--Management measures that can address 
project goals and objectives without physical structural modifications 
to the managed/natural system. For example, leasing and/or purchasing 
land acquisition rights to maintain undeveloped natural areas 
adaptation zones above high tide to promote ecosystem adaptations to 
climate change.
    Alternatives will also include the No Action alternative.
    f. Issues. The effects on Federally listed threatened and 
endangered species, essential fish habitat, cultural resources, water 
supply, and flood damage risk reduction will be analyzed. Additionally, 
health and safety, water quality, aesthetics and recreation, fish and 
wildlife resources, energy conservation, socio-economic resources, and 
other impacts identified through scoping, public involvement, and 
interagency coordination will be discussed.
    g. Scoping Process. A scoping meeting is scheduled for 12-Jan-2014 
from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at: Indian River State College, Chastain Campus, 
2400 Southeast Salerno Road, Stuart, FL 34997. The public will be 
involved in the planning process through mail solicitations and public 
notices listed on the following Web site--http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/EcosystemRestoration/LoxahatcheeRiverWatershedRestorationProject.aspx.
    h. Public Involvement. We invite the participation of affected 
Federal, state and local agencies, Tribes, and other interested private 
organizations and parties.
    i. Coordination. The proposed action is being coordinated with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, with the 
NMFS concerning Essential Fish Habitat and with the State Historic 
Preservation Officer.
    j. 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; certification of state lands, easements, and rights of 
way; and determination of Coastal Zone Management Act consistency.
    k. Agency Role. The Corps and the non-Federal sponsor, South 
Florida Water Management District, will provide extensive information 
and assistance on the resources to be improved and those that would be 
impacted, mitigation measures, and alternatives.
    l. NEPA Assessment Preparation. It is estimated that the NEPA 
Assessment will be available to the public on or about August 2016.

    Dated: December 23, 2014.
Eric L. Bush,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 2015-00085 Filed 1-7-15; 8:45 am]
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