[Federal Register: November 25, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 227)]
[Notices]
[Page 70585-70586]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25no02-43]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Indian River Lagoon-North Feasibility Study Located
in Portions of Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, and
Okeechobee Counties, FL
AGENCY: Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville
District, intends to prepare a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (DSEIS) for the Indian River Lagoon-North Feasibility Study.
Encompassing the lagoon's northern watershed, the study area begins in
Volusia County near the Ponce de Leon Inlet, extends southward through
Brevard and Indian River counties, and ends near the Fort Pierce Inlet
in St. Lucie County and northeast Okeechobee County, Florida. The
objective of this study is to perform a comprehensive review of
restoration alternatives for the lagoon.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul E. Stodola, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Planning Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970,
Jacksonville, FL, 32232-0019, by email
Paul.E.Stodola@saj02.usace.army.mil or by telephone at 904-232-3271.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
a. Proposed Action. The proposed Draft Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement (DSEIS) for the Indian River Lagoon-North Feasibility
Study would supplement the Central and South Florida Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement completed in July 1999. A DSEIS for the
Indian River Lagoon-South Feasibility Study, completed in October 2001,
identified and assessed restoration alternatives for the lagoon's
southern watershed. Authority and funds for the proposed action are
provided by Section 528 of the Water Resources and Development Act of
1996 (Pub. L. 104-303). A reconnaissance report has been completed and
resulted in a recommendation to continue the study into the feasibility
phase.
The Indian River Lagoon-North estuarine ecosystem consists of three
major water bodies: The Indian River, the Banana River, and the
Mosquito Lagoon. This estuary is comprised of shallow interconnected
linear lagoons interspersed with various types of habitats including
seagrass, mangroves, and salt marsh. Tropical climatic influences
converging with these habitat types have resulted in a unique and
diverse assemblage of fauna and flora that occur nowhere else.
Development and pollution have significantly degraded the water quality
and reduced the biological productivity of the lagoon. The objective of
this study is to identify and assess alternatives that would restore
the lagoon's water quality and ecological conditions.
b. Alternatives. Specific proposed restoration alternatives include
the following:
1. Goal I: Improve Ecological Values; Reduce excessive freshwater
inflows and pollutant loadings to the Indian River Lagoon; Improve
water quality in the Lagoon; Improve habitat for Lagoon biota, with
emphasis on seagrass; Increase spatial extent and functional quality of
submerged aquatic vegetation and watershed wetlands; Increase
functional quality of native upland habitat; Maintain or improve
diversity and abundance of native plant and animal species, including
Federal, state, and local listed species.
2. Goal II: Improve Economic Values and Social Well Being; Maintain
or improve water supply; Maintain or improve flood protection; Improve
opportunities for tourism, recreation, and environmental education;
Improve commercial and recreational fisheries and associated
industries.
3. A No-Action Alternative is also being considered.
c. Scoping Process. The scoping process as outlined by the Council
on Environmental Quality would be utilized to involve Federal, State,
and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested
persons and organizations. A scoping letter would be sent to the
appropriate parties requesting comments and concerns regarding issues
to consider during the study.
Significant issues to be analyzed in the DSEIS would include
effects on Federally listed threatened and endangered species,
Essential Fish Habitat, health and safety, water quality, aesthetics
and recreation, fish and wildlife resources, cultural resources,
socioeconomic resources, and other 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
[[Page 70586]]
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.
The Corps and the non-Federal sponsor, St. Johns River Water
Management District, 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. DSEIS Availability. The DSEIS would be available on or about May
2006.
Dated: November 12, 2002.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 02-29883 Filed 11-22-02; 8:45 am]