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 Domestic Upland Sand Source Based on a Generic Sand Specification

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 87 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24373-24374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11409]


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DEPARMENT OF DEFENSE

Corps of Engineers
Department of the Army


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 Domestic Upland Sand Source 
Based on a Generic Sand Specification

AGENCY: Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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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 domestic upland sand source.

[[Page 24374]]

The source of sand will be determined from prospective contractor 
proposals based on a generic sand specification developed by the 
Jacksonville District. 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, PO 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 authorized project provides for 
the nourishment of 9.3 miles of shoreline between Government Cut and 
Bakers Haulover Inlet and for the nourishment of 1.2 miles of shoreline 
at Haulover Beach Park. The Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1985 and 
the Water Resources Development Act 1986 (Pub. L. 99-662) provided 
authority for extending the northern limit of the authorized project to 
include the construction of protective beach along the 2.5 mile reach 
of shoreline north of Haulover Beach Park (Sunny Isles) and for 
periodic nourishment of the of the overall project for 50 years.
    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 project. Although sediment from offshore 
borrow sites has traditionally been used for project renourishment, the 
use of sand from other sources may provide an effective alternative for 
future renourishment requirements.
    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 economic, engineering and environmental performance 
of an upland sand source on the beach erosion control project.
    The proposed test fill site would be located along northern Miami 
Beach, and would extend along approximately 1.5 miles 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 600,000 cubic yards. The currently proposed location for 
the test fill is between 83rd and 63rd Streets in Miami Beach (DEP 
monuments R-36 to R-47). The exact source of 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 sand 
specifications and pass a screening process for sand characteristics 
and potential environmental impacts.
    In order to evaluate the performance of the test fill, a monitoring 
program will be established. The monitoring program would consist of 
physical surveys, sediment sampling and analysis, and aerial 
photography. In addition, environmental monitoring of the test fill 
would be performed. The environmental studies would focus mainly on the 
impacts of the 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, 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; 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 July 16, 1999. 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: April 22, 1999.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 99-11409 Filed 5-5-99; 8:45 am]
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