80 FR 75687 - Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Acquisition of Florida Power & Light Company Land in the East Everglades Expansion Area

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 232 (December 3, 2015)

Page Range		75687-75688
FR Document		2015-30580

The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the acquisition of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) land in the East Everglades Expansion Area (EEEA), Everglades National Park, Florida.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 232 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 232 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75687-75688]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30580]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-SER-EVER-19669]; [PPSESEROC3, PPMPSAS1Y.YP0000]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Acquisition of 
Florida Power & Light Company Land in the East Everglades Expansion 
Area

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the acquisition of 
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) land in the East Everglades 
Expansion Area (EEEA), Everglades National Park, Florida.

DATES: The NPS will execute the Record of Decision (ROD) no sooner than 
30 days following publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of 
its Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Final EIS will be available online 
at http://parkplanning.nps/ever. A limited number of compact disks and 
printed copies of the Final EIS will be made available at Everglades 
National Park Headquarters, Everglades National Park, 40001 State 
Highway 9336, Homestead, Florida 33034-6733.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brien Culhane, Everglades National 
Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034-6733 or by telephone 
at (305) 242-7717.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS addresses alternatives for NPS 
acquisition of existing FPL land located within the park, or of a 
sufficient interest in the property, to facilitate hydrologic and 
ecologic restoration of the park and the Everglades ecosystem. The 
acquisition of the existing FPL parcel is needed to support the goals 
of restoring the Northeast Shark River Slough and to fulfill the 
purposes of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Acquisition 
of land within the EEEA through an exchange of lands with FPL is 
legally authorized by Public Law 111-11 (March 30, 2009).
    The Final EIS describes five alternatives. The Final EIS addresses 
the potential impacts from the acquisition of FPL land in the park, as 
well as the indirect impacts that could result from the subsequent 
construction and operation of transmission lines, which could be built 
either inside or outside the park as a result of the land acquisition 
alternative selected. The following describes each of the alternatives 
included in the Final EIS:
    Alternative 1a, No NPS Action--No FPL Construction (environmental 
baseline): The NPS would not take action to acquire FPL property within 
the park. This alternative assumes that FPL would not construct 
transmission lines on its existing land in the park, in the exchange 
corridor, or in any area outside the park.
    Alternative 1b, No NPS Action--FPL Construction in the Park: the 
NPS would not take action to acquire FPL property within the park, the 
same as alternative 1a, but this alternative assumes that FPL would 
construct transmission lines on its existing land in the park.
    Alternative 2, NPS Acquisition of FPL Land: the NPS would acquire 
the FPL property by purchase or through the exercise of eminent domain 
authority by the United States. This alternative would result in an 
increase of 320 acres of NPS-owned land within the authorized boundary 
of the park and would allow for flowage of water on this property. This 
alternative assumes that FPL would likely acquire a replacement 
corridor east of the existing park boundary within or adjacent to the 
FPL and Miami-Dade Limestone Products Association (MDLPA) West 
Consensus Corridor to meet its transmission needs, and the transmission 
lines would be built outside the park. Alternative 2 is the 
environmentally preferable alternative.
    Alternative 3 (NPS Preferred Alternative), Fee for Fee Land 
Exchange: the NPS would acquire fee title to the FPL property through 
an exchange for park property, as authorized by the exchange 
legislation. NPS land conveyed to FPL (the ``exchange corridor'') would 
consist of 260 acres along 6.5 miles of the eastern boundary of the 
EEEA. The NPS would also convey to FPL a 90-foot-wide perpetual

[[Page 75688]]

nonnative vegetation management easement adjacent to the entire length 
of the exchange corridor. The fee for fee land exchange would be 
subject to terms and conditions that are to be agreed upon between NPS 
and FPL and incorporated into a binding exchange agreement. FPL would 
be required to allow the United States the perpetual right, power, and 
privilege to flood and submerge the exchange corridor consistent with 
hydrologic restoration requirements. The construction scenario 
associated with this alternative assumes that FPL would build the 
transmission lines in the exchange corridor.
    This alternative has been revised from the Draft EIS to the Final 
EIS due to updated transmission line siting requirements included in 
the state site certification process, which were not available in time 
for the Draft EIS. The final order directed FPL to avoid siting any 
transmission lines in the park and pursue the use of the West Consensus 
Corridor as the primary corridor for siting transmission lines. The FPL 
West Preferred Corridor (which includes the NPS exchange lands) would 
only be used for transmission lines if FPL cannot secure an adequate 
right-of-way within the FPL West Consensus Corridor (outside of the 
park boundary) in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. FPL's 
success in acquiring interests in the West Consensus Corridor would 
minimize or eliminate the amount of property in the exchange corridor 
required for these transmission lines.
    In the Final EIS, this alternative now includes a commitment that 
FPL shall reconvey to the NPS all acreage in the exchange corridor that 
is determined to be unneeded by FPL to build the transmission lines. 
FPL would not develop land within the exchange corridor until 
completing the requirements of the site certification process and 
determining land ownership needs. The park boundary would be adjusted 
after the reconveyance, so that it reflects the actual final land 
ownership between FPL and NPS. These commitments would be identified in 
a binding exchange agreement between the two parties.
    Alternative 4, Easement for Fee Land Exchange: the NPS would 
acquire fee title to the FPL property through an exchange for an 
easement on NPS property. This is similar to alternative 3, except that 
NPS would grant FPL an easement for potential transmission line 
construction (not fee title) over the lands along the eastern boundary 
of the EEEA, in accordance with the terms and conditions developed for 
this easement for fee exchange. The NPS would retain ownership of the 
corridor, but would no longer have unencumbered use of it. The NPS 
would also convey a 90-foot-wide perpetual nonnative vegetation 
management easement to FPL adjacent to the entire length of the 
exchange corridor. The easement for fee land exchange would be subject 
to terms and conditions that are to be agreed upon between NPS and FPL 
and incorporated into a binding exchange agreement. Similar to 
alternative 3, the FPL easement corridor would be subject to a 
perpetual flowage easement.
    Alternative 5, Perpetual Flowage Easement on FPL Property: the NPS 
would acquire a perpetual flowage easement on FPL's property within the 
EEEA through purchase, condemnation, or donation by FPL. FPL would 
retain ownership of its corridor in the park during the term of the 
easement and could seek to site transmission lines there. The flowage 
allowed under this easement would allow sufficient water flow over this 
area to support ecosystem restoration projects. The construction 
scenario associated with this alternative would be the same as the one 
for alternative 1B (FPL construction of transmission lines on its 
existing land in the park).
    The Final EIS responds to, and incorporates, agency and public 
comments received on the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS was available for 
public review and comment for 60 days from January 17, 2014, through 
March 18, 2014. During the comment period, 275 pieces of correspondence 
were received. Two of these were petitions or letters containing 14,075 
total signatures; a third form letter contained 178 signatures and 70 
individual pieces of correspondence, which are included in the 275 
total comments received. Alternative 2 is the environmentally 
preferable alternative and alternative 3 is the NPS preferred 
alternative.
    The responsible official for this EIS is the Regional Director, NPS 
Southeast Region, 100 Alabama Street SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30303.

    Dated: November 18, 2015.
Shawn Benge,
Deputy Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-30580 Filed 12-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-JD-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 232 / Thursday, December 3, 2015 / Notices 75687

SUMMARY: In accordance with the renewable energy, Salton Sea, and The acquisition of the existing FPL
Federal Land Policy and Management geothermal. Written comments may be parcel is needed to support the goals of
Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and the Federal filed in advance of the meeting for the restoring the Northeast Shark River
Advisory Committee Act of 1972 California Desert District Advisory Slough and to fulfill the purposes of the
(FACA), the U.S. Department of the Council, c/o Bureau of Land Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Interior, Bureau of Land Management Management, External Affairs, 22835 Plan. Acquisition of land within the
(BLM) California Desert District Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno EEEA through an exchange of lands
Advisory Council (DAC) will meet as Valley, CA 92553. Written comments with FPL is legally authorized by Public
indicated below. also are accepted at the time of the Law 111–11 (March 30, 2009).
DATES: The DAC will participate in a meeting and, if copies are provided to The Final EIS describes five
field tour of BLM-administered public the recorder, will be incorporated into alternatives. The Final EIS addresses the
lands on Friday, December 4, 2015, from the minutes. potential impacts from the acquisition
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will meet in Dated: November 23, 2015.
of FPL land in the park, as well as the
formal session on Saturday, December 5, indirect impacts that could result from
Teresa A. Raml,
2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in El the subsequent construction and
California Desert District Manager. operation of transmission lines, which
Centro, California. Members of the
[FR Doc. 2015–30617 Filed 12–2–15; 8:45 am] could be built either inside or outside
public are welcome. They must provide
their own transportation, meals and BILLING CODE 4310–40–P the park as a result of the land
beverages. Final agendas for the Friday acquisition alternative selected. The
field trip and the Saturday public following describes each of the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR alternatives included in the Final EIS:
meeting, along with the Saturday
meeting location, will be posted on the Alternative 1a, No NPS Action—No
National Park Service
DAC Web page at http://www.blm.gov/ FPL Construction (environmental
ca/st/en/info/rac/dac.html when [NPS–SER–EVER–19669]; [PPSESEROC3, baseline): The NPS would not take
PPMPSAS1Y.YP0000] action to acquire FPL property within
finalized.
the park. This alternative assumes that
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Final Environmental Impact Statement FPL would not construct transmission
Stephen Razo, BLM California Desert for the Acquisition of Florida Power & lines on its existing land in the park, in
District External Affairs, 1–951–697– Light Company Land in the East the exchange corridor, or in any area
5217. Persons who use a Everglades Expansion Area outside the park.
telecommunications device for the deaf Alternative 1b, No NPS Action—FPL
(TDD) may call the Federal Information AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability. Construction in the Park: the NPS
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 would not take action to acquire FPL
to contact the above individual during SUMMARY: The National Park Service property within the park, the same as
normal business hours. The FIRS is (NPS) announces the availability of the alternative 1a, but this alternative
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Final Environmental Impact Statement assumes that FPL would construct
to leave a message or question with the (EIS) for the acquisition of Florida transmission lines on its existing land in
above individuals. You will receive a Power & Light Company (FPL) land in the park.
reply during normal hours. the East Everglades Expansion Area Alternative 2, NPS Acquisition of FPL
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All DAC (EEEA), Everglades National Park, Land: the NPS would acquire the FPL
meetings are open to the public. The 15- Florida. property by purchase or through the
member council advises the Secretary of exercise of eminent domain authority by
DATES: The NPS will execute the Record
the Interior, through the BLM, on a the United States. This alternative
variety of planning and management of Decision (ROD) no sooner than 30 would result in an increase of 320 acres
issues associated with public land days following publication by the of NPS-owned land within the
management on BLM-administered Environmental Protection Agency of its authorized boundary of the park and
lands in the California desert. Public Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in would allow for flowage of water on this
comment for items not on the agenda the Federal Register. property. This alternative assumes that
will be scheduled at the beginning of ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the FPL would likely acquire a replacement
the meeting Saturday morning. Time for Final EIS will be available online at corridor east of the existing park
public comment is made available by http://parkplanning.nps/ever. A limited boundary within or adjacent to the FPL
the council chairman during the number of compact disks and printed and Miami-Dade Limestone Products
presentation of various agenda items, copies of the Final EIS will be made Association (MDLPA) West Consensus
and is scheduled at the end of the available at Everglades National Park Corridor to meet its transmission needs,
meeting for topics not on the agenda. Headquarters, Everglades National Park, and the transmission lines would be
While the Saturday meeting is 40001 State Highway 9336, Homestead, built outside the park. Alternative 2 is
tentatively scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to Florida 33034–6733. the environmentally preferable
5:00 p.m., the meeting could conclude FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: alternative.
prior to 5:00 p.m. should the council Brien Culhane, Everglades National Alternative 3 (NPS Preferred
conclude its presentations and Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Alternative), Fee for Fee Land Exchange:
discussions. Therefore, members of the Homestead, FL 33034–6733 or by the NPS would acquire fee title to the
public interested in a particular agenda telephone at (305) 242–7717. FPL property through an exchange for
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

item or discussion should schedule SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final park property, as authorized by the
their arrival accordingly. Agenda for the EIS addresses alternatives for NPS exchange legislation. NPS land
Saturday meeting will include updates acquisition of existing FPL land located conveyed to FPL (the ‘‘exchange
by council members, the BLM California within the park, or of a sufficient corridor’’) would consist of 260 acres
Desert District Manager, five Field interest in the property, to facilitate along 6.5 miles of the eastern boundary
Managers, and council subgroups. Focus hydrologic and ecologic restoration of of the EEEA. The NPS would also
topics for the meeting will include the park and the Everglades ecosystem. convey to FPL a 90-foot-wide perpetual

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75688 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 232 / Thursday, December 3, 2015 / Notices

nonnative vegetation management ownership of the corridor, but would no INTERNATIONAL TRADE
easement adjacent to the entire length of longer have unencumbered use of it. COMMISSION
the exchange corridor. The fee for fee The NPS would also convey a 90-foot-
[USITC SE–15–041]
land exchange would be subject to terms wide perpetual nonnative vegetation
and conditions that are to be agreed management easement to FPL adjacent Government in the Sunshine Act
upon between NPS and FPL and to the entire length of the exchange Meeting Notice
incorporated into a binding exchange corridor. The easement for fee land
agreement. FPL would be required to exchange would be subject to terms and AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING: United
allow the United States the perpetual conditions that are to be agreed upon States International Trade Commission.
right, power, and privilege to flood and TIME AND DATE: December 11, 2015 at
between NPS and FPL and incorporated
submerge the exchange corridor 11:00 a.m.
into a binding exchange agreement.
consistent with hydrologic restoration
requirements. The construction scenario Similar to alternative 3, the FPL PLACE: Room 101, 500 E Street SW.,
associated with this alternative assumes easement corridor would be subject to a Washington, DC 20436, Telephone:
that FPL would build the transmission perpetual flowage easement. (202) 205–2000.
lines in the exchange corridor. Alternative 5, Perpetual Flowage STATUS: Open to the public.
This alternative has been revised from Easement on FPL Property: the NPS MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
the Draft EIS to the Final EIS due to would acquire a perpetual flowage 1. Agendas for future meetings: None.
updated transmission line siting easement on FPL’s property within the 2. Minutes.
requirements included in the state site EEEA through purchase, condemnation, 3. Ratification List.
certification process, which were not or donation by FPL. FPL would retain 4. Vote in Inv. Nos. 701–TA–549 and
available in time for the Draft EIS. The ownership of its corridor in the park 731–TA–1299–1303 (Preliminary)
final order directed FPL to avoid siting during the term of the easement and (Circular Welded Carbon-Quality Steel
any transmission lines in the park and Pipe from Oman, Pakistan, the
could seek to site transmission lines
pursue the use of the West Consensus Philippines, the United Arab Emirates,
there. The flowage allowed under this
Corridor as the primary corridor for and Vietnam). The Commission is
siting transmission lines. The FPL West easement would allow sufficient water
currently scheduled to complete and file
Preferred Corridor (which includes the flow over this area to support ecosystem
its determinations on December 14,
NPS exchange lands) would only be restoration projects. The construction 2015; views of the Commission are
used for transmission lines if FPL scenario associated with this alternative currently scheduled to be completed
cannot secure an adequate right-of-way would be the same as the one for and filed on December 21, 2015.
within the FPL West Consensus alternative 1B (FPL construction of 5. Vote in Inv. Nos. 701–TA–550 and
Corridor (outside of the park boundary) transmission lines on its existing land in 731–TA–1304–1305 (Preliminary)
in a timely manner and at a reasonable the park). (Certain Iron Mechanical Transfer Drive
cost. FPL’s success in acquiring interests The Final EIS responds to, and Components from Canada and China).
in the West Consensus Corridor would incorporates, agency and public The Commission is currently scheduled
minimize or eliminate the amount of comments received on the Draft EIS. to be completed and filed on December
property in the exchange corridor The Draft EIS was available for public 14, 2015; views of the Commission are
required for these transmission lines. currently scheduled to be completed
review and comment for 60 days from
In the Final EIS, this alternative now and filed on December 21, 2015.
includes a commitment that FPL shall January 17, 2014, through March 18,
2014. During the comment period, 275 6. Outstanding action jackets: None.
reconvey to the NPS all acreage in the In accordance with Commission
exchange corridor that is determined to pieces of correspondence were received.
policy, subject matter listed above, not
be unneeded by FPL to build the Two of these were petitions or letters
disposed of at the scheduled meeting,
transmission lines. FPL would not containing 14,075 total signatures; a
may be carried over to the agenda of the
develop land within the exchange third form letter contained 178 following meeting.
corridor until completing the signatures and 70 individual pieces of
correspondence, which are included in By order of the Commission.
requirements of the site certification
process and determining land the 275 total comments received. Issued: November 30, 2015.
ownership needs. The park boundary Alternative 2 is the environmentally William R. Bishop,
would be adjusted after the preferable alternative and alternative 3 Supervisory Hearings and Information
reconveyance, so that it reflects the is the NPS preferred alternative. Officer.
actual final land ownership between [FR Doc. 2015–30634 Filed 12–1–15; 11:15 am]
The responsible official for this EIS is
FPL and NPS. These commitments BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
the Regional Director, NPS Southeast
would be identified in a binding
exchange agreement between the two Region, 100 Alabama Street SW., 1924
parties. Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Alternative 4, Easement for Fee Land Dated: November 18, 2015.
Exchange: the NPS would acquire fee Shawn Benge, Drug Enforcement Administration
title to the FPL property through an
Deputy Regional Director, Southeast Region. [Docket No. DEA–392]
exchange for an easement on NPS
[FR Doc. 2015–30580 Filed 12–2–15; 8:45 am]
property. This is similar to alternative 3, Importer of Controlled Substances
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

except that NPS would grant FPL an BILLING CODE 4310–JD–P
Application: Mylan Technologies, Inc.
easement for potential transmission line
construction (not fee title) over the ACTION: Notice of application.
lands along the eastern boundary of the
EEEA, in accordance with the terms and DATES: Registered bulk manufacturers of
conditions developed for this easement the affected basic classes, and
for fee exchange. The NPS would retain applicants therefore, may file written

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Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:51:42
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:51:42

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability.
Dates		The NPS will execute the Record of Decision (ROD) no sooner than 30 days following publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of its Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register.
Contact		Brien Culhane, Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034-6733 or by telephone at (305) 242-7717.
FR Citation		80 FR 75687

80 FR 75687 - Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Acquisition of Florida Power & Light Company Land in the East Everglades Expansion Area

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNational Park Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 232 (December 3, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service