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NOTICE: NOTICES

ACTION: Environmental statements; notice of intent:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of intent.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Water Conservation Area 3 Decompartmentalization and Sheet Flow Enhancement Project, Part 1

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), intends to prepare an integrated Project Implementation Report (PIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA3) Decompartmentalization and Sheet Flow Enhancement Project Part 1 (Decomp Project). The project is a cooperative effort between the Corps and the south Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), which is also a cooperating agency for this Draft EIS (DEIS). WCA3 (made up of WCA 3A and WCA 3B) is located immediately north of Everglades National park (ENP) in Broward and MiamiDade Counties. Among the environmentally detrimental effects resulting from the construction of the Central and Southern Florida Project (C&SF), of which WCA 3 is a part, are the compartmentalization and constriction of historically broad wetlands, altered hydroperiods, reduction of wildlife, and degradation of water quality. The Decomp Project will investigate alternatives to reduce barriers to sheet flow such as canals and levees to the extent practicable. The goal is to restore historical sheet flow distributions, depth patterns, hydroperiods, and hydrologic connectivity in the various landscapes within WCA3 and in Northeast Shark River Slough within ENP, thereby creating a sustainable environment suitable for the recovery and long term survival of native flora and fauna in concert with related projects.

SUMMARY: Water Conservation Area 3 Decompartmentaliztion and Sheet Flow Enhancement Project, Part I; Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, FL,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

a. Authorization: Section 601 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106541) authorized the implementation of the Decomp Project.

b. Study Area: The study area is the WCA3 and the northeast section of Everglades National Park, in Broward and MiamiDade Counties.

c. Project Scope: The scope is to investigate alternatives to reduce barriers to sheet flow through modifications to the canals and levees in WCA3, and modifications to the section of Tamiami Trail south of WCA3B. Also, seepage control features may be constructed, as needed, along L30 to prevent projectinduced increased flood damages downstream. The evaluation of alternatives and selection of a recommended plan will be documented in the PIR and EIS.

d. Preliminary Alternatives: The conceptual design features of the project presented in the 1999 C&SF Comprehensive Review Study include backfilling all or portions of the Miami Canal between S8 and the east coast protective levee (L33); increasing the conveyance capacity of four sections of the North New River Conveyance System to compensate for conveyance lost from the Miami Canal: (1) Along L38 canal from S7 to S34; (2) across Interstate 75; (3) on L37 canal from I75 to C11; and (4) on L33 canal from C9 to C6; constructing additional structures to pass flow from WCA3A to WCA3B through the L67A Levee; degrading all or portions of the L29 Levee from S333 east to S334 and filling in all or portions of the L29 borrow canal; raising and bridging all or portions of the Tamiami Trail from S333 east to S334; and constructing seepage control features along L30. Alternative plans to be developed and evaluated may include a combination of these features to greater or lesser degrees, such as leaving canals in place, partial canal filling, strategic placement of fill plugs, the creation of tree islands from levee material, and exploring other possibilities that can meet the goals and objectives of the project.

e. Issues: The EIS will address the following issues: The relation between this project and related projects including Modified Water Deliveries to ENP and other Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects; impacts to recreational fishing and hunting; impacts to aquatic and wetland habitats; water flows; hazardous and toxic waste; water quality; flood protection; aesthetics; fish and wildlife resources, including protected species; tree island habitat, cultural resources; socioeconomic issues; water supply; and other impacts identified through Scoping, public involvement and interagency coordination.

f. Scoping: A Scoping letter and public workshops will be used to invite comments on alternatives and issues from Federal, State, and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other interested private organizations and individuals.

g. DEIS Preparation: The integrated draft PIR, including a DEIS, is currently scheduled for publication in the second quarter of 2007.

Dated: November 13, 2003.
James C. Duck,
Chief, Planning Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, Environmental Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL, 32232 0019; Attn: Ms. Janet Cushing or by telephone at 9042322259 or email: janet.a.cushing@usace.army.mil.