Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Coast of Florida Erosion and Storm Effects Study in Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade Counties, Florida

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

for the Coast of Florida Erosion and Storm Effects Study in Palm Beach,

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

intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Region

III of the Coast of Florida Erosion and Storm Effects Study. The study

is a cooperative effort between the Corps of Engineers and the Florida

Department of Environmental Protection, the study sponsor, to

investigate coastal processes on a regional basis to recommend

modifications for existing shore protection and navigation projects.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonsville 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 Coast of Florida Erosion and Storm

Effects Study was authorized on 16 July 1984, by Section 104 of the

1985 Appropriations Act (Public Law 98-360). The study area includes

most of the Atlantic and Gulf coast of Florida and has been divided

into five coastal regions. The region currently being studied, and is

the focus of the DEIS, is Region III which consists of 92 miles of

Atlantic Ocean coastline within Palm beach, Broward, and Dade counties.

Several alternatives are being considered in the study and will be

addressed in the DEIS. These include:

a. Continued renourishment of existing projects,

b. Design modifications to existing projects where needed,

c. Sand bypassing at inlets using sand transfer plants and/or

conventional dredging,

d. Nearshore placement of suitable maintenance dredged material to

feed adjacent beaches,

5. Use of suitable maintenance dredged material as beach fill,

6. Construction of groins and/or offshore breakwaters,

7. Dune construction,

8. Construction of sand traps at inlets to aid in sand bypassing,

9. Sand tightening existing jetties where the need has been

identified. Sources of sand that have been identified include offshore

borrow areas, upland sand sources, suitable material from maintenance

dredging and the possible use of Bahamian aragonite.

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

and municipal agencies, and other interested persons and organizations.

A scoping letter (November 8, 1994) has been sent to interested

Federal, State, county and municipal agencies requesting their comments

and concerns. 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 offshore hard bottom communities, fisheries, water quality,

sea turtles and cultural resources.

3. 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.

4. DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be

available to the public during May of 1995.

Kenneth L. Denton,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 94-29135 Filed 11-25-94; 8:45 am]

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