Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Modification of the Kissimmee Basin Structure Operating Criteria, 44584-44585 [05-15295]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 148 / Wednesday, August 3, 2005 / Notices
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Information is provided by the record
subject or subject’s family members.
EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
[FR Doc. 05–15354 Filed 8–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Modification of the Kissimmee
Basin Structure Operating Criteria
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, intends to
prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for the Modification of
the Kissimmee Basin (KB) Structure
Operating Criteria.
This project involves the
establishment of a coordinated schedule
of water level drawdowns throughout
the seventeen lakes comprising the
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, in the
Kissimmee Upper Basin (KUB), and the
possible effects on the Kissimmee Lower
Basin (KLB). The ultimate purpose of
the action is to facilitate environmental
restoration throughout those water
bodies. The local sponsor is the South
Florida Water Management District.
This Notice of Intent (NOI) constitutes
a re-issue of the NOI titled: Intent to
Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for the Kissimmee Chain of
Lakes Portion of the Kissimmee River
Restoration Project, and published in
the Federal Register on May 19, 2005
(70 FR 28923). The re-issue is due to the
work undergoing a change in both title
and scope, to now include the entire
basin (KB) of the Kissimmee River.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Esteban Jimenez, 904–232–2551, Special
Projects Section, Environmental Branch,
Planning Division, P.O. Box 4970,
Jacksonville, FL 32232–0019.
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:22 Aug 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
The
authority to conduct this comprehensive
analysis is granted under Section 206 of
the 1996 Water Resources Development
Act. The Kissimmee River Basin flood
control works were authorized by the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1954 as an
addition to the Central & South Florida
Flood Control Project. The primary
project purposes are restoration of
natural flooding in the historic
floodplain in order to reestablish
wetland conditions while maintaining
the existing protection against flood
damages within the Kissimmee Basin,
and to improve the environmental
setting of the KB area.
The proposed action on the
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes includes:
Lake Hart, Lake Mary Jane, East Lake
Tohopekaliga, Lake Myrtle, Lake
Preston, Lake Conlin, Lake
Tohopekaliga, Lake Gentry, Lake
Russell, Cypress Lake, Lake Marion,
Lake Hatchinehea, Lake Pierce, Lake
Rosalie, Tiger Lake, Lake Jackson, Lake
Marian, and Lake Weohykapka. The
lakes are all located in the Kissimmee
River Upper Basin (KUB), and covers
both Osceola and Polk Counties in
Florida. The action is also expected to
have effects on the Kissimmee Lower
Basin (KLB).
The objective of the study is to
evaluate the possibility of implementing
revised regulation schedules for the
Upper Kissimmee Chain Of Lakes. This
is so that common and coordinated
regulation schedules can be enacted for
the Chain of Lakes, in order to facilitate
ecosystem restoration throughout the
KB.
Flora and Fauna—The 35,000 acres of
wetlands that existed in the Kissimmee
River Flood Plain prior to canalization
are estimated to have declined to about
14,000 acres in the existing condition.
Existing conditions of flora and fauna in
the KB are addressed below.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The DLA rules for accessing records,
for contesting contents, and appealing
initial agency determinations are
contained in 32 CFR part 323, or may
be obtained from the Privacy Act
Officer, Headquarters, Defense Logistics
Agency, ATTN: DP, 8725 John J.
Kingman Road, Stop 2533, Fort Belvoir,
VA 22060–6221.
Type
Total
Wetland Forested
Cypress .........................
Wetland Prairie
Rhynchospora ...............
Aquatic Grass ...............
Maidencance ................
Wetland Shrub
Buttonbush ....................
Primrose Willow ............
Willow ...........................
Broadleaf .....................
Switchgrass .................
Tussock .......................
Total .......................
Percent
262
1.9
1005
2359
2743
7.2
16.8
19.5
803
693
1639
3447
471
630
5.7
4.9
11.7
24.4
3.4
4.5
14052
100
The lakes are generally surrounded by
pine flatwoods, dry and wet prairies,
and cypress domes.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Wildlife in the Kissimmee River
Lower Basin (KLB) consists of deer,
small mammals, alligators and small
reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates,
wading birds, and ducks. Because of the
large expanse of area involved, the
following Federally-listed threatened or
endangered species could occur in both
the KUB and KLB: bald eagle, snail kite,
indigo snake, Audubon’s crested
caracara, wood stork, and grasshopper
sparrow.
Endangered and threatened species in
the KB include:
—Endangered: bald eagle, snail kite,
wood stork, whooping crane, and
Audubon’s crested caracara, and
Florida grasshopper sparrow.
—Threatened: indigo snake.
—State listed as threatened species:
Sandhill crane.
—Species of special concern: American
alligator, snowy egret, gopher tortoise,
osprey, burrowing owl, limpkin, little
blue heron, least tern, and tricolored
heron.
Fluctuating water levels of the lake
littoral zones are important for over
wintering waterfowl that utilize these
lakes during migrational periods.
Wading birds use the littoral zone as an
important feeding habitat.
Alternatives: The various scheduling
alternatives will be developed upon
modeling based on the determination of
the existing environment and the goals
to be attained. The no action alternative
will be considered.
Issues: The proposed action is to
modify the regulation schedules for the
Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, to
include periodic extreme low water
stages for the purposes of enhancing the
lake’s environmental resources and
improving the physical and chemical
characteristics of these lakes. This
habitat enhancement technique involves
lowering lakes to consolidate bottom
sediments and expand desirable aquatic
plant communities. The extreme
drawdown of these areas mimic low
water conditions prior to flood control
(activities which result in more stable
water levels than would occur
naturally). Low water levels historically
occurred about every seven to ten years.
The drawdown will be coordinated with
the South Florida Water Management
District (SFWMD).
Habitat enhancement activities would
be carried out by the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) or others acting under it. The
FWC would obtain all necessary
permits.
Enhancement activities may include
much removal, burning, discing and
herbicide application to reduce dense
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 148 / Wednesday, August 3, 2005 / Notices
vegetation, tussock formation and
organic build-up on lake bottoms.
Scoping: Scoping public and agency
comments on this work will take place
from June 2005 to August 2006, by
means of a scoping letter. In addition,
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 Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) under Section 7
of the Endangered Species act, and the
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and
with the State Historic preservation
Officer.
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; and
certification of state lands, easements,
and rights of way.
Agency Role: As non-Federal sponsor
and leading local expert; the South
Florida Water Management District
(SFWMD) will provide extensive
information and assistance on the
resources to be impacted, mitigation
measures, and alternatives.
DESIS Preparation: It is estimated that
the DEIS will be available to the public
on or about November 2006.
Dated: July 11, 2005.
Susan S. Lucas,
Acting Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 05–15295 Filed 8–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–AJ–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Lake Okeechobee Regulation
Schedule Study of the Central and
Southern Florida Project for Flood
Control and Other Purposes, Lake
Okeechobee, FL
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:22 Aug 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville District,
intends to prepare a Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement
(DSEIS) for the Lake Okeechobee
Regulation Schedule Study (LORSS),
Lake Okeechobee, FL. The DSEIS will
supplement the Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Lake
Okeechobee Regulation Schedule Study
prepared in 2000. The DSEIS will
address additional alternatives to the
current regulation schedule in order to
optimize environmental benefits at
minimal or no impact to the competing
project purposes, primarily flood
control and water supply. This study
will consider operational changes to
water management structures that
discharge water from the lake as well as
criteria used to determine those
operations. Any operational changes
will also consider current and planned
water management activities within the
Kissimmee River Basin. No new
structural features will be considered
except those already embedded within
the South Florida Water Management
Model.
DATES: Comments and
recommendations on this notice should
be received by September 30, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be addressed to Ms. Yvonne Haberer,
Biologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Planning Division, Environmental
Branch, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL
32232.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Yvonne L. Haberer, at the address
above, by electronic mail at
Yvonne.l.haberer@saj02.usace.army.mil
or telephone at (904) 232–1701.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
a. Authorization: Authority for this
action is the Flood Control Act of 1948.
It authorized the Central and Southern
Florida (C&SF) Project, which is a
multipurpose project that provides flood
control, water supply for municipal,
industrial, and agricultural uses;
prevention of salt water intrusion; water
supply for Everglades National Park;
and protection of fish and wildlife
resources.
b. Study Area: The study area
considered to be most affected by the
regulation schedule is Lake Okeechobee,
particularly within the littoral and
marsh areas of the lake, the St. Lucie
Estuary, the Caloosahatchee Estuary, the
Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), and
the Water Conservation Areas south of
Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee lies
30 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean and
60 miles east of the Gulf of Mexico, in
south central Florida. Lake Okeechobee
is the largest lake in Florida covering
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
44585
approximately 730 square miles with an
average depth of 10 feet.
c. Need or Purpose. There have been
various regulation schedules since
authorization of the C&SF project in
1948. The current regulation schedule,
Water Supply and Environment (WSE),
was the preferred alternative in the
LORSS FEIS and approved in July 2000
for the regulation of Lake Okeechobee.
the WSE regulation schedule and the
Operational Guidelines Decision Trees
incorporate tributary hydrologic
conditions and climate forecasts into
guidelines for managing Lake
Okeechobee discharges and water
levels. This logic-driven regulation
schedule balances the various purposes
of flood storage, water supply, fish and
wildlife resources, and water delivery to
the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee
estuaries. The unusual range of weather
conditions occurring since
implementation of the WSE regulation
schedule and the lessons learned as a
result, have indicated that modifications
to the WSE are needed. The regulation
schedule would benefit from greater
flexibility in achieving optimal lake
levels and optimal discharges to various
downstream parts of the C&SF system.
d. Scoping Process. The scoping
process as outlined by the Council on
Environmental Quality would be
utilized to involve Federal, State, and
local agencies, affected Indian tribes,
and other interested persons and
organizations. A scoping letter will be
sent to the appropriate parties
requesting their comments and
concerns. Any persons or organizations
requesting to participate in the scoping
process should contact the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (see ADDRESSES).
e. Alternatives. The DSEIS will
analyze reasonable alternatives,
including the ‘‘no action’’ alternative to
regulating lake levels and downstream
discharges to various parts of the
system.
f. Issues. The work being performed
for this study will consist of identifying
the impacts (both beneficial and
adverse) associated with alternative
Lake Okeechobee regulation schedules
and the approved regulation schedule
currently in place, WSE. Studies and
investigations will be conducted to
provide the basis for determining the
environmental and socio-economic
impacts of any proposed modifications
to the WSE regulation schedule.
Significant issues anticipated include
concern for: Water supply, continued
flood control, agriculture, protection of
the lake’s environmental resources and
its downstream estuaries, water quality,
fish and wildlife habitat, endangered
and threatened species, and any issues
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44584-44585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15295]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Modification of the Kissimmee Basin Structure Operating Criteria
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for
the Modification of the Kissimmee Basin (KB) Structure Operating
Criteria.
This project involves the establishment of a coordinated schedule
of water level drawdowns throughout the seventeen lakes comprising the
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, in the Kissimmee Upper Basin (KUB), and the
possible effects on the Kissimmee Lower Basin (KLB). The ultimate
purpose of the action is to facilitate environmental restoration
throughout those water bodies. The local sponsor is the South Florida
Water Management District.
This Notice of Intent (NOI) constitutes a re-issue of the NOI
titled: Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for
the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Portion of the Kissimmee River Restoration
Project, and published in the Federal Register on May 19, 2005 (70 FR
28923). The re-issue is due to the work undergoing a change in both
title and scope, to now include the entire basin (KB) of the Kissimmee
River.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Esteban Jimenez, 904-232-2551,
Special Projects Section, Environmental Branch, Planning Division, P.O.
Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The authority to conduct this comprehensive
analysis is granted under Section 206 of the 1996 Water Resources
Development Act. The Kissimmee River Basin flood control works were
authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1954 as an addition to the
Central & South Florida Flood Control Project. The primary project
purposes are restoration of natural flooding in the historic floodplain
in order to reestablish wetland conditions while maintaining the
existing protection against flood damages within the Kissimmee Basin,
and to improve the environmental setting of the KB area.
The proposed action on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes includes: Lake
Hart, Lake Mary Jane, East Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Myrtle, Lake
Preston, Lake Conlin, Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Gentry, Lake Russell,
Cypress Lake, Lake Marion, Lake Hatchinehea, Lake Pierce, Lake Rosalie,
Tiger Lake, Lake Jackson, Lake Marian, and Lake Weohykapka. The lakes
are all located in the Kissimmee River Upper Basin (KUB), and covers
both Osceola and Polk Counties in Florida. The action is also expected
to have effects on the Kissimmee Lower Basin (KLB).
The objective of the study is to evaluate the possibility of
implementing revised regulation schedules for the Upper Kissimmee Chain
Of Lakes. This is so that common and coordinated regulation schedules
can be enacted for the Chain of Lakes, in order to facilitate ecosystem
restoration throughout the KB.
Flora and Fauna--The 35,000 acres of wetlands that existed in the
Kissimmee River Flood Plain prior to canalization are estimated to have
declined to about 14,000 acres in the existing condition. Existing
conditions of flora and fauna in the KB are addressed below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type Total Percent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wetland Forested
Cypress............................................. 262 1.9
Wetland Prairie
Rhynchospora........................................ 1005 7.2
Aquatic Grass....................................... 2359 16.8
Maidencance......................................... 2743 19.5
Wetland Shrub
Buttonbush.......................................... 803 5.7
Primrose Willow..................................... 693 4.9
Willow.............................................. 1639 11.7
Broadleaf........................................... 3447 24.4
Switchgrass......................................... 471 3.4
Tussock............................................. 630 4.5
-----------
Total........................................... 14052 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The lakes are generally surrounded by pine flatwoods, dry and wet
prairies, and cypress domes.
Wildlife in the Kissimmee River Lower Basin (KLB) consists of deer,
small mammals, alligators and small reptiles, amphibians,
invertebrates, wading birds, and ducks. Because of the large expanse of
area involved, the following Federally-listed threatened or endangered
species could occur in both the KUB and KLB: bald eagle, snail kite,
indigo snake, Audubon's crested caracara, wood stork, and grasshopper
sparrow.
Endangered and threatened species in the KB include:
--Endangered: bald eagle, snail kite, wood stork, whooping crane, and
Audubon's crested caracara, and Florida grasshopper sparrow.
--Threatened: indigo snake.
--State listed as threatened species: Sandhill crane.
--Species of special concern: American alligator, snowy egret, gopher
tortoise, osprey, burrowing owl, limpkin, little blue heron, least
tern, and tricolored heron.
Fluctuating water levels of the lake littoral zones are important
for over wintering waterfowl that utilize these lakes during
migrational periods. Wading birds use the littoral zone as an important
feeding habitat.
Alternatives: The various scheduling alternatives will be developed
upon modeling based on the determination of the existing environment
and the goals to be attained. The no action alternative will be
considered.
Issues: The proposed action is to modify the regulation schedules
for the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, to include periodic extreme low
water stages for the purposes of enhancing the lake's environmental
resources and improving the physical and chemical characteristics of
these lakes. This habitat enhancement technique involves lowering lakes
to consolidate bottom sediments and expand desirable aquatic plant
communities. The extreme drawdown of these areas mimic low water
conditions prior to flood control (activities which result in more
stable water levels than would occur naturally). Low water levels
historically occurred about every seven to ten years. The drawdown will
be coordinated with the South Florida Water Management District
(SFWMD).
Habitat enhancement activities would be carried out by the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or others acting under
it. The FWC would obtain all necessary permits.
Enhancement activities may include much removal, burning, discing
and herbicide application to reduce dense
[[Page 44585]]
vegetation, tussock formation and organic build-up on lake bottoms.
Scoping: Scoping public and agency comments on this work will take
place from June 2005 to August 2006, by means of a scoping letter. In
addition, 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
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under Section 7 of the Endangered
Species act, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the
State Historic preservation Officer.
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; and certification of state lands, easements, and
rights of way.
Agency Role: As non-Federal sponsor and leading local expert; the
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will provide extensive
information and assistance on the resources to be impacted, mitigation
measures, and alternatives.
DESIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be available
to the public on or about November 2006.
Dated: July 11, 2005.
Susan S. Lucas,
Acting Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 05-15295 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AJ-M
