82 FR 8515 - Intent To Prepare an Analysis Under the National Environmental Policy Act for the Port Everglades Navigation Improvements Project, Broward County, Florida

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 16 (January 26, 2017)

The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is beginning preparation of a supplemental National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the Port Everglades Navigation Improvements Project. The Port Everglades Navigation Improvement Project is designed to address future growth of cargo being transported to southeast Florida on post-Panamax ships due to the completion of the Panama Canal expansion, and to ensure safe navigational conditions for those vessels, as well as vessels currently calling at Port Everglades. The Port Everglades Feasibility Study was authorized through House Document 126, 103rd Congress, 1st Session, and House Document 144, 93rd Congress, 1st Session and by a resolution of the House Committee on Transportation dated May 9, 1996. In response to the study authority, the feasibility study was initiated in 2001 and completed with the signature of a Chief's Report and Record of Decision in 2016. The final recommended project was authorized as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act signed December 2016. The non-federal sponsor for the project is Broward County. The primary federal objective is to provide for increased navigational safety, efficiency, and improved economic conditions while limiting impacts to the environment to the maximum extent practicable, in accordance with environmental statutes, applicable executive orders, and other federal planning requirements.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 16 (Thursday, January 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 8515]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01804]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Analysis Under the National Environmental 
Policy Act for the Port Everglades Navigation Improvements Project, 
Broward County, 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 supplemental National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the Port Everglades 
Navigation Improvements Project. The Port Everglades Navigation 
Improvement Project is designed to address future growth of cargo being 
transported to southeast Florida on post-Panamax ships due to the 
completion of the Panama Canal expansion, and to ensure safe 
navigational conditions for those vessels, as well as vessels currently 
calling at Port Everglades. The Port Everglades Feasibility Study was 
authorized through House Document 126, 103rd Congress, 1st Session, and 
House Document 144, 93rd Congress, 1st Session and by a resolution of 
the House Committee on Transportation dated May 9, 1996. In response to 
the study authority, the feasibility study was initiated in 2001 and 
completed with the signature of a Chief's Report and Record of Decision 
in 2016. The final recommended project was authorized as part of the 
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act signed December 
2016. The non-federal sponsor for the project is Broward County. The 
primary federal objective is to provide for increased navigational 
safety, efficiency, and improved economic conditions while limiting 
impacts to the environment to the maximum extent practicable, in 
accordance with environmental statutes, applicable executive orders, 
and other federal planning requirements.

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: Terri Jordan-Sellers at 904-232-1817 
or email at [email protected]. Additional information 
is also available at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/Navigation-Projects/Port-Everglades/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    a. The level of design required to complete the Feasibility study 
was not as specific as the requirements for permitting and 
construction. As the project moves in the Pre-Engineering and Design 
Phase, additional information will be collected to refine the effects 
analysis prepared as part of the Environmental Impact Statement 
completed in 2016. Supplemental information will be utilized as part of 
the State of Florida permit application process, including updated 
resource surveys; hydrodynamic and sedimentation modeling and the 
development of revised Monitoring, Mitigation and Adaptive Management 
plans.
    b. The objectives of the supplemental NEPA will consider 
alternatives to enhance methods to avoid, minimize and mitigate 
potential impacts associated with the construction of the Port 
Everglades Navigation Improvements Project.
    c. A scoping letter was mailed September 27, 2016 to invite 
comments from Federal, State, and local agencies, affected Indian 
Tribes, and other interested private organizations and individuals. The 
scoping comment period will end on March 24, 2017. Written comments can 
be submitted to: Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; 
Attn: Planning Division--Terri Jordan Sellers; 701 San Marco Boulevard, 
Jacksonville, FL 32207-8175.
    d. Two scoping meetings will be held February 22, 2017 beginning at 
2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Broward County Convention Center, 1950 
Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316.
    e. All alternative plans will be reviewed under provisions of 
appropriate laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act, 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal 
Protection Act and Clean Water Act.
    f. The Draft Supplemental NEPA document is expected to be available 
for public review in mid to late 2018.

    Dated: January 19, 2017.
Eric P. Summa,
Chief, Planning and Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 2017-01804 Filed 1-25-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P