[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 173 (Friday, September 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42547-42548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19065]


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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, Broward, Miami-Dade Counties, Florida

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) is beginning preparation of a National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) assessment for the Combined Operational Plan (COP). The purpose 
of the COP is to define operations for the constructed features of the 
Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park (MWD) and Canal 
111 (C-111) South Dade Projects, while maintaining the congressionally 
authorized purposes of the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project 
to include flood control; water supply for agricultural irrigation, 
municipalities and industry; regional groundwater control and 
prevention of saltwater intrusion; enhancement of fish and wildlife; 
and recreation.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Nasuti at 904-232-1368 or 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    a. The COP will result in a comprehensive integrated water control 
plan for the operation of water management infrastructure associated 
with the MWD and C-111 South Dade Projects in Miami Dade County, 
Florida. Development of the COP will be informed by a series of 
operational field tests previously conducted under the authority of the 
MWD Project that include incremental increases in water delivered from 
Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA 3) to Everglades National Park (ENP). 
Information gained from water management actions taken by the Corps in 
response to unseasonable high water levels within the WCAs in 2016 and 
2017 will also be utilized to inform development of the COP.
    b. Implementation of the COP is anticipated to increase the 
availability of water deliveries from WCA 3A to ENP through Northeast 
Shark River Slough and improve hydrologic conditions in Taylor Slough, 
the Rocky Glades, and the eastern panhandle of ENP.

[[Page 42548]]

    c. Water management operating criteria defined during development 
of the COP will be incorporated into the 2012 WCAs, ENP, and ENP to 
South Dade Conveyance system Water Control Plan following completion of 
NEPA.
    d. 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.
    e. 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.
    f. The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment is expected to be 
available for public review in 2019.

    Dated: August 22, 2017.
Gina Paduano Ralph,
Chief, Environmental Branch.
[FR Doc. 2017-19065 Filed 9-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P