Intent to Prepare a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Everglades Construction Project, Palm Beach, Martin, Okeechobee, Hendry, Collier, Broward and Dade Counties, Florida

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Intent to Prepare a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact

Statement (DEIS) for the Everglades Construction Project, Palm Beach,

Martin, Okeechobee, Hendry, Collier, Broward and Dade Counties, Florida

AGENCY: 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, along

with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and certain

cooperating agencies, intends to prepare a Draft Programmatic

Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the feasibility of

implementing the under the State of Florida's Everglades Forever Act of

1994, the Everglades Construction Project in Palm Beach, Martin,

Okeechobee, Hendry, Collier, Broward and Dade Counties, Florida.

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

Box 4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. William Porter, (903) 232-2259.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: a. The Everglades Forever Act of 1994

(Chapter 373.4592, F.S.) requires the SFWMD to obtain authorization for

the construction, operation and maintenance of the Everglades

Construction Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers participation

will include Section 404 permitting activities, NEPA documentation of

this project, and participation in the implementation of several

components of the project. The project involves the creation of six (6)

Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) and three (3) Hydroperiod Restoration

elements. It also includes changes in the operation of Lake Okeechobee

and other features of the Central and Southern Florida Project. The

magnitude and duration of the plan is such that the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers determined that a programmatic EIS should be prepared for the

entire plan pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

b. Scoping: The scoping process as outlined by the Council on

Environmental Quality will be utilized to involve Federal, State, and

local agencies; and other interested persons and organizations. A

scoping letter will be sent to interested Federal, State, and local

agencies requesting their comments and concerns regarding issues they

feel should be addressed in the EIS. Interested persons and

organizations wishing to participate in the scoping process should

contact the Corps of Engineers at the address above. Significant issues

anticipated include concern for; local groundwater recharge, water

quality, water supply, recreation, wetlands, fish and wildlife, and

land use. Public scoping meetings will be held in the near future, the

exact location, dates, and times will be announced in public notices

and local newspapers.

c. It is estimated that the DEIS will be available to the public in

July 1995.

Kenneth L. Denton,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 94-27499 Filed 11-4-94; 8:45 am]

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