Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Brevard County, Florida, Shore Protection Project

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

for the Brevard County, Florida, Shore Protection Project

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

intents to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the

Brevard County Shore Protection Review Study. The EIS will concern the

Atlantic shoreline of Brevard County between Canaveral Harbor and the

south end of South Melbourne beach. The authorized study provides for

review of the authorized shore protection project for possible

modification and to provide a solution for the continued erosion

problems that are endangering the uplands within the study area.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District,

Environmental Branch, Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville,

Florida 32232-0019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Michael Dupes, (904) 232-1689.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. The Brevard County Florida Shore Protection Project Review Study

was authorized by the committee on Public Works and Transportation,

U.S. House of Representatives by resolution adopted September 23, 1982.

Study authorization provides for review of the report of the Chief of

Engineers on Brevard County, Florida, published in House document No.

352, 90th Congress, 2nd Session, July 1968. The study is to determine

the advisability of modifying the existing project. Consideration is to

be given to the economic and recreational benefit of implementing

restoration projects, and extending the period of Federal participation

in the cost of periodic nourishment of the authorized Beach Erosion

Control Project. Environmental considerations will be addressed in an

Environmental Impact Statement.

2. Alternatives: Non-structural alternatives being considered

include a construction control line, flood insurance, evaluation

planning, relocation of structures, nonstructural combinations, and no

action. Structural alternatives being considered include beach fill

with periodic nourishment, beach fill with maintenance material from

inlets, nearshore berm construction, stabilization of beaches and dunes

by vegetation, construction of a hurricane dune, dune rehabilitation,

construction of breakwaters, groins, or revetments, and various

structural combinations.

3. Scoping: The scoping process will involve Federal, State, county

and municipal agencies, and other interested persons and organizations.

A scoping letter dated January 23, 1992 was sent during the

reconnaissance phase to interested Federal, State, county and municipal

agencies requesting their comments and concerns. A second scoping

letter, dated October 5, 1994, was sent for this phase of the study.

Any persons and organizations wishing to participate in the scoping

process should contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the above

address. Significant issues that are anticipated include concern for

about 10 miles of nearshore lithified coquina reefs and worm rock, the

federally listed southeastern beach mouse, water quality and nesting

sea turtles. The study area includes one Coastal Barrier Resource

System (CBRS) unit and portions of the proposed Archie Carr National

Wildlife Refuge. Coordination with the State Historic Preservation

Officer (SHPO) has indicated that historical and archaeological

resources may be present in the proposed borrow areas. Further

coordination with the SHPO will occur during the preparation of the

EIS.

4. Coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the

National Marine Fisheries Service will be accomplished in compliance

with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Coordination required by

applicable Federal and State laws and policies will be conducted. Since

the project will require the discharge of material into waters of the

United States the discharge will comply with the provisions of section

404 of the Clean Water Act as amended.

5. EIS Preparation: It is estimated that a draft EIS will be

available to the public in June 1996.

Kenneth L. Denton,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 94-26299 Filed 10-21-94; 8:45 am]

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