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

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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