[Federal Register: August 21, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 162)] [Notices] [Page 44850-44851] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21au98-46] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Dade County Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project, for a Test Beach Fill Using a Foreign Source of Carbonate Sand AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Dade County Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project, for a Test Beach Fill Using a Foreign Source of Carbonate Sand. The study is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), the non-Federal sponsor for the project. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Dugger, 904-232-1686, Environmental Branch, Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection (BEC & HP) Project for Dade County, Florida was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1968. The Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1985 and the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99- 662) provided authority for extending the northern limit of the authorized project to include the construction of a protective beach along the 2.5 mile reach of shoreline north of Haulover Beach Party (Sunny Isles) and for periodic nourishment of the new beach. Offshore borrow sources of beach quality sediment along the Dade County shoreline have been almost completely depleted, and alternative sources of material will be required in the near future to provide continued renourishment of the Dade County Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project. Although carbonate sediment from offshore borrow sites has traditionally been used for project renourishment, the use of oolitic aragonite or other carbonate sand from non-domestic sources may provide an effective alternative for future renourishment requirements. Virtually unlimited supplies of beach-quality material are available in the Bahamas Bank, located 65 miles east of the project site, in the Turks and Caicos Islands located approximately 500 miles to the southeast, and possibly other locations. The proposed test fill will be constructed using aragonite from one of these sources. The purpose of the test fill, in addition to providing nourishment to an eroded portion of the Federal project along northern Miami Beach, is to evaluate the physical and environmental performance of aragonite on the beach erosion control project. The proposed test fill site would be located along northern Miami Beach, and would extend along approximately one mile of shoreline which has been an erosional area since the project was constructed. The proposed site is located far from adjacent inlets, and no significant structures exist in this vicinity to disrupt the ``natural'' coastal processes. The total volume of the test fill is expected to be approximately 500,000 cubic yards. The currently proposed location for the test fill is between 65th and 80th Streets in Miami Beach (DNR monuments DNR-39 to DNR-44). The exact source of aragonite (or other non-domestic carbonate sand) for the test beach would be determined during the procurement process. Sand sources proposed by contractors would have to meet a set of generic and specifications and pass a screening process for sand characteristics and possible introduction of undesirable benthic organisms or other environmental impacts. The different properties of the material being placed in the test fill will allow the sediment to be used as a natural tracer material, and data on longshore and cross-shore transport can be gained by studying the movement of this material. In order to evaluate the performance of the test fill, a monitoring program will be established. This monitoring program would consist of four areas of field data acquisition: physical surveys, sediment sampling and analysis, aerial photography, and wave data collection. The field data would be collected over a minimum 5-year period following project construction. The wave gage would be installed and activated prior to construction. Physical surveys, sediment samples, and aerial photography would be taken immediately before and after project construction, and quarterly for the first year, semi-annually for the second year, and annually thereafter for the remainder of the 5-year monitoring period. Physical surveys, sediment samples, and aerial photography would therefore be taken a total of 11 times during the monitoring program, while the directional wave gauge would be operated continuously during the entire 5-year monitoring period. In addition, environmental monitoring of the test fill would be performed. The environmental studies would focus mainly on the impacts of the non-native material on sea turtle nesting and benthic infaunal communities. Alternatives: At this time, the only known alternative to performing the test beach fill is not performing the test or the no- action alternative. Issues: The EIS will consider impacts on coral reefs and other hardbottom communities, endangered and threatened species, shore protection, water quality, aesthetics and recreation, fish and wildlife resources, cultural resources, energy conservation, socio-economic resources, and other impacts identified through scoping, public involvement, and interagency coordination. Scoping: A copy of this notice will be sent to interested parties to initiate scoping. All parties are invited to participate in the scoping process by identifying any additional concerns on issues, studies needed, alternatives, procedures, and other matters related to the scoping process. At this time, there are no plans for a public scoping meeting. Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected Federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested private organizations and parties. Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, with the FWS under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the State Historic Preservation Officer. In addition, we have coordinated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the dredging industry, certain foreign government representatives, academic experts, and other interests on this matter. 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; [[Page 44851]] 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. Agency Role: As the non-Federal sponsor and leading local expert; DERM will provide extensive information and assistance on the resources to be impacted, mitigation measures, and alternatives. DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be available to the public on or about October 9, 1998. We plan to post the DEIS on the environmental documents page of the Jacksonville District's web site. (http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/pd/env-doc.htm.) Dated: August 7, 1998. George M. Strain, Acting Chief, Planning Division. [FR Doc. 98-22470 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-AJ-M