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)

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, 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 [email protected]. 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