[Federal Register: August 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 156)]
[Notices]               
[Page 44199-44200]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au99-49]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Corps of Engineers; Department of the Army

 
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on 
Interim Operations of the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project 
To Project the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (Sparrow) Until the Modified 
Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park (Mod Waters) Project Is 
Fully Constructed

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The congressionally authorized Mod Waters project consists of 
structural modifications and additions to the existing C&SF Project 
required to improve water deliveries for ecosystem restoration of 
Everglades National Park (ENP) without adverse impacts on adjacent 
private property. The current water management operational plan Test 7 
of the Experimental Water Deliveries Program for the C&SF Project was 
developed in 1995 to allow experimentation and improvement of water 
delivery during the long construction phase of the Mod Waters Project. 
In February 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a 
Biological Opinion under provisions of the Endangered Species Act that 
concluded that the Test 7 jeopardized the continued existence of the 
sparrow. They further concluded that ultimate protection for the 
species would be achieved by completing construction of the Mod Waters 
Project as quickly as possible. In the interim, they recommend that 
certain hydrologic conditions be maintained in the sparrow's breeding 
habitat to avoid jeopardizing the species. In response, the corps will 
develop an Interim Operational Plan (IOP) for the C&SF Project to meet 
the FWS's guidelines.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 
4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232; Attn: Mr. Elmar Kurzbach, 904/232-
2325.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: .
    1. The proposed action will consist of water management operations 
of exist- ing structural components of the C&SF Project to avoid 
flooding the sparrow

[[Page 44200]]

breeding habitats during the breeding season and to rehydrate breeding 
habitats during the annual wet season in order to prevent and reverse 
degradation from invasion of exotic vegetation and unnaturally high 
fire frequencies.
    2. Alternatives to be discussed involve spartial variations in 
conveying water through the C&SF Project, tradeoffs in adverse effects 
on natural and manmade features of the environment, and degrees of 
infringement on private property rights these alternatives would cause.
    3. A Scoping letter and public Scoping Meeting will be used to 
invite comments on alternatives and issues from Federal, State, and 
local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested private 
organizations and individuals.
    4. The Draft EIS will analyze issues related to flooding of private 
property, water quality degradation, endangered species protection, 
urban development impacts, agricultural flood protection, and 
Everglades National Park ecosystem restoration.
    5. The 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 Act.
    6. A scoping meeting will be held in Homestead, Florida at the 
Miami-Dade County Extension Office. The date and time will be announced 
in the Scoping letter.
    7. The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public review in 
the 2nd quarter CY 2000.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-21057 Filed 8-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AS-M