81_FR_48907 81 FR 48764 - Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Western Everglades Restoration Project, Hendry, Broward, Collier Counties, Florida

81 FR 48764 - Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Western Everglades Restoration Project, Hendry, Broward, Collier Counties, Florida

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 143 (July 26, 2016)

Page Range48764-48765
FR Document2016-17686

The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is beginning preparation of a National Environmental Policy Act assessment for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP). The Everglades ecosystem, including Lake Okeechobee, encompasses a system of diverse wetland landscapes that are hydrologically and ecologically connected across more than 200 miles from north to south and across 18,000 square miles of southern Florida. In 2000, the U.S. Congress authorized the Federal government, in partnership with the State of Florida, to embark upon a multi-decade, multi-billion dollar Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) to further protect and restore the remaining Everglades ecosystem while providing for other water-related needs of the region. CERP involves modification of the existing network of drainage canals and levees that make up the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project. One of the next steps for implementation of CERP is to identify opportunities within the tributary areas of Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A to restore natural areas within the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and adjacent portions of Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) and the Miccosukee Indian Reservation. Encompassing approximately 440,000 acres located primarily in eastern Hendry County, WCA 3A tributary areas include the C-139, Feeder Canal and L-28 Gap Basins as well as the C-139 Annex and L-28 Interceptor. These areas are collectively called the Western Basins as they are located along the western edge of the Everglades and were historic flow ways. Both water supply and water quality of storm water runoff are challenges facing the Western Basins.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48764-48765]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17686]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Western Everglades Restoration Project, Hendry, Broward, Collier 
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 
assessment for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP). The 
Everglades ecosystem, including Lake Okeechobee, encompasses a system 
of diverse wetland landscapes that are hydrologically and ecologically 
connected across more than 200 miles from north to south and across 
18,000 square miles of southern Florida. In 2000, the U.S. Congress 
authorized the Federal government, in partnership with the State of 
Florida, to embark upon a multi-decade, multi-billion dollar 
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) to further protect and 
restore the remaining Everglades ecosystem while providing for other 
water-related needs of the region. CERP involves modification of the 
existing network of drainage canals and levees that make up the Central 
and Southern Florida Flood Control Project. One of the next steps for 
implementation of CERP is to identify opportunities within the 
tributary areas of Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A to restore natural 
areas within the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and adjacent 
portions of Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) and the Miccosukee 
Indian Reservation. Encompassing approximately 440,000 acres located 
primarily in eastern Hendry County, WCA 3A tributary areas include the 
C-139, Feeder Canal and L-28 Gap Basins as well as the C-139 Annex and 
L-28 Interceptor. These areas are collectively called the Western 
Basins as they are located along the western edge of the Everglades and 
were historic flow ways. Both water supply and water quality of storm 
water runoff are challenges facing the Western Basins.

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 melissa.a.nasuti@usace.army.mil. Additional information is 
also available at http://bit.ly/WesternEverglades.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    a. Since 2000, much progress has been made. Construction has begun 
on the first generation of CERP project modifications already 
authorized by Congress. These include the Picayune Strand Restoration, 
the Indian River Lagoon South and Site 1 Impoundment Projects. 
Congressional authorization has been received for the second generation 
of CERP projects, including Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands--Phase 1, the 
Broward County Water Preserve Areas, the Caloosahatchee River (C-43) 
West Basin Storage Reservoir, and the C-111 Spreader Canal Western 
Project which are already under construction or are operational, and 
the Broward County Water Preserve Areas which is currently being 
designed. The Central Everglades Planning Project is currently awaiting 
congressional authorization. All of these CERP projects contribute 
significant ecological benefits to the system and the specific regional 
habitats in which they are located. The original CERP Project 
identified to restore and reconnect the western Everglades ecosystem 
was called the Big Cypress/L-28 Interceptor Modification. The purpose 
of this project, as defined within the CERP, is to reestablish sheet 
flow from the West Feeder Canal across the Big Cypress Seminole Indian 
Reservation and into BCNP, maintain flood protection on Seminole Tribal 
lands, and ensure that inflows to the North and West Feeder Canals meet 
applicable water quality standards. Project features considered under 
CERP include modification of levees and canals, water control 
structures, pumps, and stormwater treatment areas with a total storage 
capacity of 7,600 acre-feet located within and adjacent to the 
Miccosukee and Seminole Indian Reservations in Collier and Hendry 
Counties. This CERP component will serve as the starting point for the 
WERP and will be refined through the planning process.
    b. The objectives of the WERP are to improve the quality, quantity, 
timing and distribution of water needed to restore and reconnect the 
western Everglades ecosystem.
    c. 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.
    d. A scoping meeting will be held August 16th, 2016 from 6:30 to 
9:00 p.m. at the John Boy Auditorium, 1200 South W.C. Owen Avenue, 
Clewiston, Florida 33440.
    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 late 2017.


[[Page 48765]]


    Dated: July 12, 2016.
Eric P. Summa,
Chief, Planning and Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 2016-17686 Filed 7-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P

48764 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Notices the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, one ACTION: Notice of intent. Projects. Congressional authorization member nominated by the Secretary of has been received for the second the American Battle Monuments SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. generation of CERP projects, including Commission, and no more than seven Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands—Phase members nominated by the Secretary of beginning preparation of a National 1, the Broward County Water Preserve the Army. All members are appointed to Environmental Policy Act assessment Areas, the Caloosahatchee River (C–43) provide advice on behalf of the for the Western Everglades Restoration West Basin Storage Reservoir, and the Government on the basis of their best Project (WERP). The Everglades C–111 Spreader Canal Western Project judgment without representing any ecosystem, including Lake Okeechobee, which are already under construction or particular point of view and in a manner encompasses a system of diverse are operational, and the Broward free from conflict of interest. Except for wetland landscapes that are County Water Preserve Areas which is reimbursement of official Committee- hydrologically and ecologically currently being designed. The Central related travel and per diem, members connected across more than 200 miles Everglades Planning Project is currently serve without compensation. from north to south and across 18,000 awaiting congressional authorization. The DoD may establish square miles of southern Florida. In All of these CERP projects contribute subcommittees, task forces, or working 2000, the U.S. Congress authorized the significant ecological benefits to the groups to support the Committee. All Federal government, in partnership with system and the specific regional habitats subcommittees operate under the the State of Florida, to embark upon a in which they are located. The original provisions of FACA and the multi-decade, multi-billion dollar CERP Project identified to restore and Government in the Sunshine Act, will Comprehensive Everglades Restoration reconnect the western Everglades not work independently of the Plan (CERP) to further protect and ecosystem was called the Big Cypress/ Committee, report all findings to the restore the remaining Everglades L–28 Interceptor Modification. The Committee for full deliberation and ecosystem while providing for other purpose of this project, as defined discussion, and have no authority to water-related needs of the region. CERP within the CERP, is to reestablish sheet make decisions and recommendations, involves modification of the existing flow from the West Feeder Canal across verbally or in writing, on behalf of the network of drainage canals and levees the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Committee. No subcommittee or any of that make up the Central and Southern Reservation and into BCNP, maintain its members can update or report, Florida Flood Control Project. One of flood protection on Seminole Tribal verbally or in writing, directly to the the next steps for implementation of lands, and ensure that inflows to the DoD or any Federal officers or CERP is to identify opportunities within North and West Feeder Canals meet employees. the tributary areas of Water applicable water quality standards. The Committee’s DFO, pursuant to Conservation Area (WCA) 3A to restore Project features considered under CERP DoD policy, must be a full-time or natural areas within the Big Cypress include modification of levees and permanent part-time DoD employee, Seminole Indian Reservation and canals, water control structures, pumps, and must be in attendance for the adjacent portions of Big Cypress and stormwater treatment areas with a duration of each and every Committee National Preserve (BCNP) and the total storage capacity of 7,600 acre-feet or subcommittee meeting. The public or Miccosukee Indian Reservation. located within and adjacent to the interested organizations may submit Encompassing approximately 440,000 Miccosukee and Seminole Indian written statements to the Committee acres located primarily in eastern Reservations in Collier and Hendry membership about the Committee’s Hendry County, WCA 3A tributary areas Counties. This CERP component will mission and functions. Such statements include the C–139, Feeder Canal and L– serve as the starting point for the WERP may be submitted at any time or in 28 Gap Basins as well as the C–139 and will be refined through the response to the stated agenda of planned Annex and L–28 Interceptor. These planning process. Committee meetings. All written areas are collectively called the Western b. The objectives of the WERP are to statements must be submitted to the Basins as they are located along the improve the quality, quantity, timing Committee’s DFO who will ensure the western edge of the Everglades and were and distribution of water needed to written statements are provided to the historic flow ways. Both water supply restore and reconnect the western membership for their consideration. and water quality of storm water runoff Everglades ecosystem. are challenges facing the Western Dated: July 21, 2016. Basins. c. A scoping letter will be used to Aaron Siegel, invite comments from Federal, State, ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of and local agencies, affected Indian Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. Engineers, Planning and Policy tribes, and other interested private [FR Doc. 2016–17622 Filed 7–25–16; 8:45 am] Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. organizations and individuals. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232–0019. d. A scoping meeting will be held BILLING CODE 5001–06–P FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: August 16th, 2016 from 6:30 to 9:00 Melissa Nasuti at 904–232–1368 or p.m. at the John Boy Auditorium, 1200 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE email at melissa.a.nasuti@ South W.C. Owen Avenue, Clewiston, usace.army.mil. Additional information Florida 33440. Department of the Army, Corps of is also available at http://bit.ly/ e. All alternative plans will be Engineers WesternEverglades. reviewed under provisions of appropriate laws and regulations, srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Intent To Prepare an Environmental a. Since 2000, much progress has been including the Endangered Species Act, Impact Statement for the Western made. Construction has begun on the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Everglades Restoration Project, first generation of CERP project Clean Water Act, and Farmland Hendry, Broward, Collier Counties, modifications already authorized by Protection Policy Act. Florida Congress. These include the Picayune f. The Draft Environmental Impact AGENCY:Department of the Army, U.S. Strand Restoration, the Indian River Assessment is expected to be available Army Corps of Engineers, DOD. Lagoon South and Site 1 Impoundment for public review in late 2017. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:28 Jul 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM 26JYN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 26, 2016 / Notices 48765 Dated: July 12, 2016. You may also submit comments and posted at www.drbc.net ten or more Eric P. Summa, recommendations, identified by Docket days prior to the hearing. Chief, Planning and Policy Division. ID number and title, by the following Written comments on matters [FR Doc. 2016–17686 Filed 7–25–16; 8:45 am] method: scheduled for hearing on August 10 will BILLING CODE 3720–58–P • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// be accepted through 5 p.m. on August www.regulations.gov. Follow the 11. After the hearing on all scheduled instructions for submitting comments. matters has been completed, and as time DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Instructions: All submissions received allows, an opportunity for Open Public must include the agency name, Docket Comment will also be provided. Department of the Navy ID number and title for this Federal The public is advised to check the Register document. The general policy Commission’s Web site periodically [Docket ID USN–2014–0018] prior to the hearing date, as items for comments and other submissions Submission for OMB Review; from members of the public is to make scheduled for hearing may be postponed Comment Request these submissions available for public if additional time is deemed necessary viewing on the Internet at http:// to complete the Commission’s review, ACTION: Notice. www.regulations.gov as they are and items may be added up to ten days received without change, including any prior to the hearing date. In reviewing SUMMARY: The Department of Defense personal identifiers or contact docket descriptions, the public is also has submitted to OMB for clearance, the information. asked to be aware that project details following proposal for collection of DOD Clearance Officer: Mr. Frederick commonly change in the course of the information under the provisions of the Licari. Commission’s review, which is ongoing. Paperwork Reduction Act. Written requests for copies of the Public Meeting. The public business DATES: Consideration will be given to all information collection proposal should meeting on September 14, 2016 will comments received by August 25, 2016. be sent to Mr. Licari at WHS/ESD begin at 10:30 a.m. and will include: Directives Division, 4800 Mark Center Adoption of the Minutes of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Commission’s June 15, 2016 business Licari, 571–372–0493. Drive, East Tower, Suite 02G09, meeting, announcements of upcoming SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Alexandria, VA 22350–3100. meetings and events, a report on Title, Associated Form and OMB Dated: July 21, 2016. hydrologic conditions, reports by the Number: Application Processing and Aaron Siegel, Executive Director and the Summary Record; NAVCRUIT Form Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Commission’s General Counsel, and 1131/238; OMB Control Number 0703– Officer, Department of Defense. consideration of any items for which a 0029. [FR Doc. 2016–17644 Filed 7–25–16; 8:45 am] hearing has been completed or is not Type of Request: Reinstatement, with BILLING CODE 5001–06–P required. change, of a previously approved After all scheduled business has been collection for which approval has completed and as time allows, the expired. meeting will also include up to one Number of Respondents: 14,000. DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION hour of Open Public Comment. Responses per Respondent: 1. There will be no opportunity for Annual Responses: 14,000. Notice of Public Hearing and Business additional public comment for the Average Burden per Response: 1 hour. Meeting: August 10 and September 14, record at the September 14 business Annual Burden Hours: 14,000. 2016 meeting on items for which a hearing Needs and Uses: All persons was completed on August 10 or a interested in entering the U.S. Navy or Notice is hereby given that the previous date. Commission U.S. Navy Reserve, in a commissioned Delaware River Basin Commission will consideration on September 14 of items status must provide various personal hold a public hearing on Wednesday, for which the public hearing is closed data in order for a Selection Board to August 10, 2016 at the Washington may result in approval of the item (by determine their qualifications for naval Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center, docket or resolution) as proposed, service and for specific fields of 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, approval with changes, denial, or endeavor which the applicant intends to Pennsylvania. A business meeting will deferral. When the Commissioners defer pursue. This information is used to be held the following month, on an action, they may announce an recruit and select applicants who are Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at the additional period for written comment qualified for commission in the U.S. Historic Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main on the item, with or without an Navy or U.S. Navy Reserve. Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The additional hearing date, or they may Affected Public: Individuals or hearing and business meeting are open take additional time to consider the households. to the public. input they have already received Frequency: On occasion. Public Hearing. The public hearing on without requesting further public input. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. August 10, 2016 will begin at 1:30 p.m. Any deferred items will be considered OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Jasmeet Hearing items will include draft dockets for action at a public meeting of the Seehra. for the withdrawals, discharges and Commission on a future date. Comments and recommendations on other water-related projects subject to Advance Sign-Up for Oral Comment. the proposed information collection the Commission’s review. Individuals who wish to comment on srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES should be emailed to Ms. Jasmeet The list of projects scheduled for the record during the public hearing on Seehra, DoD Desk Officer, at hearing, including project descriptions, August 10 or to address the Oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. Please will be posted on the Commission’s Commissioners informally during the identify the proposed information Web site, www.drbc.net, in a long form Open Public Comment portion of the collection by DoD Desk Officer and the of this notice at least ten days before the meeting on either August 10 or Docket ID number and title of the hearing date. Draft resolutions September 14 as time allows, are asked information collection. scheduled for hearing also will be to sign up in advance by contacting Ms. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:28 Jul 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM 26JYN1


Document Created: 2018-02-08 08:01:04
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 08:01:04
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of intent.
ContactMelissa Nasuti at 904-232-1368 or email at [email protected] Additional information is also available at http://bit.ly/WesternEverglades.
FR Citation81 FR 48764 
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