Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on Rock Mining in Wetlands in the Lake Belt Region of Miami-Dade County, FL, 58592-58593 [06-8476]

Download as PDF 58592 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 4, 2006 / Notices The provision at DFARS 252.227– 7028, Technical Data or Computer Software Previously Delivered to the Government, requires an offeror to identify any technical data or computer software that it previously delivered, or will deliver, under any Government contract. DoD needs this information to avoid paying for rights in technical data or computer software that the Government already owns. Michele P. Peterson, Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System. [FR Doc. E6–16420 Filed 10–3–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–08–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on Rock Mining in Wetlands in the Lake Belt Region of Miami-Dade County, FL Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of intent. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Army corps of Engineers (Corps) Jacksonville District intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to evaluate potential impacts of further rock mining within wetlands in western Miami-date county, FL. The original EIS, The Rock Mining-Freshwater Lakebelt Plan Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, issued in May 2000 focused on the potential impacts of a 50-year mining plan within the Lake Belt area. After evaluating the EIS, the Corps issued a Record of Decision and permits that allowed mining within a smaller, 10-year plan in April 2002. The Corps decision was challenged in United States District Court and the Court’s Order on Motions for Summary Judgement was issued on March 22, 2006 as part of Case No. 03– 23427–CIV–HOEVELER, United States District Court Southern District of Florida. The decision instructed the Corps to engage in additional analyses of rock mining in the Lake Belt region. Accordingly, the Corps is preparing this SEIS. DATES: The Corps plans to hold a public scoping meeting on October 19, 2006 at 7 p.m. EST. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Miami Dade Fire Rescue Headquarters, 9300 NW 41st Street, Doral, FL 33178. (786) 331–5000. VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:45 Oct 03, 2006 Jkt 211001 Ms. Leah Oberlin, (561) 472–3506. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: a. Project background and Authorization. The Corps examined the potential impacts of rock mining activities with a 50-year life under the Miami-Dade County Lakebelt Plan (Lakebelt Plan), as accepted by the Florida Legislature in Section 373.4149, Florida Statutes (F.S.). The Corps participated in the committee of agency and industry representatives created in 1992 by the Florida Legislature, prepared an EIS, and participated in a technical review and advisory group formed by the Working Group for the Restoration of the South Florida Ecosystem. While the original EIS reviewed a 50-year plan for rock mining, the Corps issued Department of the Army (DA) authorization to ten rock mining companies on April 11, 2002 authorizing 10 year of mining activities over a 5,712 acre area. Mining under the 10-year permits has been underway for four years. b. Need or Purpose. The purpose of the proposed action is to continue to provide high-quality construction grade limestone to the construction industry in Florida. The Corps recognizes that there is a public and private need for this product. The purpose of the proposed SEIS is to evaluate the environmental effects of alternatives to meet these requirements while protecting the aquatic environment. c. Prior EAs, EISs. In May 2000, the Corps produced a Final Programmatic EIS for rock mining in the Lake Belt Region considering a 50-year mining plan. This SEIS will update and supplement that EIS and will also evaluate alternatives for present and possible future mining operations. d. Alternatives. An evaluation of alternatives, including a ‘‘No Action’’ alternative and rock mining in other areas both inside and outside of MiamiDade County and/or Florida will be done. The SEIS will analyze reasonable alternatives to obtaining construction grade limestone and other limestone products to meet the identified purpose and need. Alternatives will be determined through scoping, but are expected to vary according to location, timing, and breadth of mining, in addition to a ‘‘no action’’ alternative. e. Issues. In addition to updating and supplementing the information from the 2000 EIS, the following issues have been identified for analysis in the SEIS. This list is preliminary and is intended to facilitate public comment on the scope of the SEIS. The SEIS will consider the effects on Federally listed threatened and endangered species, essential fish FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 habitats, health and safety, conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands (and other aquatic resources), historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations and property ownership, and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people, and other issues identified through scoping, public involvement, and interagency coordination. At the present time, our primary environmental focus will be on endangered species (including but not limited to possible effects on the wood stock and the Eastern indigo snake), the loss of wetland functions and value, mitigation (including but not limited to the available of land for acquisition in Pennsucco and other mitigation options), drinking water well field protection (including but not limited to possible contaminants including benzene, cryptosporidum, and giardia), groundwater seepage to the east (including but not limited to possible impacts to resources of Everglades National Park), and surface water quality. We expect to better define the issues of concern and define the methods that will be used to evaluate those issues through the scoping process. f. Scoping Process. CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) require an early and open process for determining the scope of an EIS and for identifying significant issues related to the proposed action. The public will be involved in the scoping and evaluation process through advertisements, notices, and other means. At a minimum, all parties who have expressed interest in the Lake Belt Rock Mining Permits will be given the opportunity to participate in this process. Federal, state and local agencies, and other interested groups will also be involved. Meetings to address discrete issues or parts or functions of the study area may be called. 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 scope of the SEIS. A public scoping meeting is scheduled for (see DATES and ADDRESSES). The Corps will provide additional notification of the meeting time and location through newspaper advertisements and other means. Following a short presentation on the planned SEIS, verbal and written comments on the scope of the SEIS will E:\FR\FM\04OCN1.SGM 04OCN1 rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 4, 2006 / Notices be accepted. A transcript of verbal comments will be generated to ensure accuracy. A Spanish language translator will be available. To submit comments on the scope of the Lake Belt SEIS or to request copies of materials related to this effort as they become available to the public, contact: Ms. Leah Oberlin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Division, Palm Beach Gardens Regulatory Office, 4400 PGA Boulevard, Suite 500, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33410, by e-mail at Leah.A.Oberlin@saj02.usace.army.mil, or by telephone at (561) 472–3506. Comments or requests for information can also be submitted on the Lake Belt SEIS Web site at https:// www.lakebeltseis.com. The Corps will consider all comments for the scope of the SEIS received by November 17, 2006. g. Public Involvement. The Corps invites Federal agencies, American Indian Tribal Nations, state and local governments, and other interested private organizations and parties to attend the public scooping meeting and to comment on the scope of the planned Lake Belt SEIS. h. Coordination. The proposed action is being coordinated with a number of Federal, state, regional, and local agencies including but not limited to the following: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Enviormental Protection Agncy, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, State Historic Preservation Officer, South Florida Water Management District, MiamiDade County, and Everglades National Park, and other agencies as identified in scoping, public involvement, and agency coordination. i. Other Environmental Review and Consultation. The proposed action will involve an evaluation for compliance with all applicable guidelines pursuant to section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act. This review will involve a detailed evaluation of alternatives to the ongoing rock mining in the Lake Belt area, which is not a water dependent activity. j. Agency Role. The Corps will provide extensive information and assistance on the resources to be impacted, mitigation measures, and alternatives. Although the Corps does not plan to invite any Federal agencies to be cooperating agencies, we expect to receive input and critical information from the U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal, state, and local agencies. k. Draft Lake Belt SEIS Preparation. It is estimated that the SEIS will be available to the public on or about May VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:45 Oct 03, 2006 Jkt 211001 2007. At least one additional public meeting will be held at that time, during which the public will be provided the opportunity to comment on the Draft SEIS before its becomes final. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 06–8476 Filed 10–3–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–AJ–M DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests AGENCY: Department of Education. SUMMARY: The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December 4, 2006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency’s ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58593 and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Dated: September 28, 2006. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Office of Vocational and Adult Education Type of Review: Reinstatement. Title: Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109–270) State Plan Guide. Frequency: Annually. Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Gov’t, SEAs or LEAs. Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 54. Burden Hours: 5,112. Abstract: Federal vocational education legislation has been reauthorized. The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV), 20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq. as amended by Pub. L. 109–270, was signed into law on August 12, 2006. The purpose of this request is to reinstate and update the information collection package 1830–0029 (The Carl D Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998; Pub. L 105–332—State Plan) to include: instructions regarding contents of a one-year transition plan or six-year State plan; new State plan narrative requirements from the new Act; information States must provide regarding the consolidation of Title II funds under Title I; budget information; accountability information; and a cover page that must be submitted with the State plan. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from https://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and by clicking on link number 3212. When you access the information collection, click on ‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202–4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202– 245–6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to E:\FR\FM\04OCN1.SGM 04OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 4, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58592-58593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8476]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement on Rock Mining in Wetlands in the Lake Belt Region of Miami-
Dade County, FL

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army corps of Engineers (Corps) Jacksonville District 
intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 
to evaluate potential impacts of further rock mining within wetlands in 
western Miami-date county, FL. The original EIS, The Rock Mining-
Freshwater Lakebelt Plan Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, 
issued in May 2000 focused on the potential impacts of a 50-year mining 
plan within the Lake Belt area. After evaluating the EIS, the Corps 
issued a Record of Decision and permits that allowed mining within a 
smaller, 10-year plan in April 2002. The Corps decision was challenged 
in United States District Court and the Court's Order on Motions for 
Summary Judgement was issued on March 22, 2006 as part of Case No. 03-
23427-CIV-HOEVELER, United States District Court Southern District of 
Florida. The decision instructed the Corps to engage in additional 
analyses of rock mining in the Lake Belt region. Accordingly, the Corps 
is preparing this SEIS.

DATES: The Corps plans to hold a public scoping meeting on October 19, 
2006 at 7 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Miami Dade Fire Rescue 
Headquarters, 9300 NW 41st Street, Doral, FL 33178. (786) 331-5000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Leah Oberlin, (561) 472-3506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: a. Project background and Authorization. The 
Corps examined the potential impacts of rock mining activities with a 
50-year life under the Miami-Dade County Lakebelt Plan (Lakebelt Plan), 
as accepted by the Florida Legislature in Section 373.4149, Florida 
Statutes (F.S.). The Corps participated in the committee of agency and 
industry representatives created in 1992 by the Florida Legislature, 
prepared an EIS, and participated in a technical review and advisory 
group formed by the Working Group for the Restoration of the South 
Florida Ecosystem. While the original EIS reviewed a 50-year plan for 
rock mining, the Corps issued Department of the Army (DA) authorization 
to ten rock mining companies on April 11, 2002 authorizing 10 year of 
mining activities over a 5,712 acre area. Mining under the 10-year 
permits has been underway for four years.
    b. Need or Purpose. The purpose of the proposed action is to 
continue to provide high-quality construction grade limestone to the 
construction industry in Florida. The Corps recognizes that there is a 
public and private need for this product. The purpose of the proposed 
SEIS is to evaluate the environmental effects of alternatives to meet 
these requirements while protecting the aquatic environment.
    c. Prior EAs, EISs. In May 2000, the Corps produced a Final 
Programmatic EIS for rock mining in the Lake Belt Region considering a 
50-year mining plan. This SEIS will update and supplement that EIS and 
will also evaluate alternatives for present and possible future mining 
operations.
    d. Alternatives. An evaluation of alternatives, including a ``No 
Action'' alternative and rock mining in other areas both inside and 
outside of Miami-Dade County and/or Florida will be done. The SEIS will 
analyze reasonable alternatives to obtaining construction grade 
limestone and other limestone products to meet the identified purpose 
and need. Alternatives will be determined through scoping, but are 
expected to vary according to location, timing, and breadth of mining, 
in addition to a ``no action'' alternative.
    e. Issues. In addition to updating and supplementing the 
information from the 2000 EIS, the following issues have been 
identified for analysis in the SEIS. This list is preliminary and is 
intended to facilitate public comment on the scope of the SEIS. The 
SEIS will consider the effects on Federally listed threatened and 
endangered species, essential fish habitats, health and safety, 
conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, 
wetlands (and other aquatic resources), historic properties, fish and 
wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, 
navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply 
and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber 
production, mineral needs, considerations and property ownership, and, 
in general, the needs and welfare of the people, and other issues 
identified through scoping, public involvement, and interagency 
coordination. At the present time, our primary environmental focus will 
be on endangered species (including but not limited to possible effects 
on the wood stock and the Eastern indigo snake), the loss of wetland 
functions and value, mitigation (including but not limited to the 
available of land for acquisition in Pennsucco and other mitigation 
options), drinking water well field protection (including but not 
limited to possible contaminants including benzene, cryptosporidum, and 
giardia), groundwater seepage to the east (including but not limited to 
possible impacts to resources of Everglades National Park), and surface 
water quality.
    We expect to better define the issues of concern and define the 
methods that will be used to evaluate those issues through the scoping 
process.
    f. Scoping Process. CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) require an 
early and open process for determining the scope of an EIS and for 
identifying significant issues related to the proposed action. The 
public will be involved in the scoping and evaluation process through 
advertisements, notices, and other means. At a minimum, all parties who 
have expressed interest in the Lake Belt Rock Mining Permits will be 
given the opportunity to participate in this process. Federal, state 
and local agencies, and other interested groups will also be involved. 
Meetings to address discrete issues or parts or functions of the study 
area may be called. 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 scope of the SEIS.
    A public scoping meeting is scheduled for (see DATES and 
ADDRESSES). The Corps will provide additional notification of the 
meeting time and location through newspaper advertisements and other 
means. Following a short presentation on the planned SEIS, verbal and 
written comments on the scope of the SEIS will

[[Page 58593]]

be accepted. A transcript of verbal comments will be generated to 
ensure accuracy. A Spanish language translator will be available. To 
submit comments on the scope of the Lake Belt SEIS or to request copies 
of materials related to this effort as they become available to the 
public, contact: Ms. Leah Oberlin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Regulatory Division, Palm Beach Gardens Regulatory Office, 4400 PGA 
Boulevard, Suite 500, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33410, by e-mail at 
Leah.A.Oberlin@saj02.usace.army.mil, or by telephone at (561) 472-3506. 
Comments or requests for information can also be submitted on the Lake 
Belt SEIS Web site at https://www.lakebeltseis.com. The Corps will 
consider all comments for the scope of the SEIS received by November 
17, 2006.
    g. Public Involvement. The Corps invites Federal agencies, American 
Indian Tribal Nations, state and local governments, and other 
interested private organizations and parties to attend the public 
scooping meeting and to comment on the scope of the planned Lake Belt 
SEIS.
    h. Coordination. The proposed action is being coordinated with a 
number of Federal, state, regional, and local agencies including but 
not limited to the following: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Enviormental Protection Agncy, Florida 
Department of Environmental Protection, State Historic Preservation 
Officer, South Florida Water Management District, Miami-Dade County, 
and Everglades National Park, and other agencies as identified in 
scoping, public involvement, and agency coordination.
    i. Other Environmental Review and Consultation. The proposed action 
will involve an evaluation for compliance with all applicable 
guidelines pursuant to section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act. This 
review will involve a detailed evaluation of alternatives to the 
ongoing rock mining in the Lake Belt area, which is not a water 
dependent activity.
    j. Agency Role. The Corps will provide extensive information and 
assistance on the resources to be impacted, mitigation measures, and 
alternatives. Although the Corps does not plan to invite any Federal 
agencies to be cooperating agencies, we expect to receive input and 
critical information from the U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency, the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal, state, and local 
agencies.
    k. Draft Lake Belt SEIS Preparation. It is estimated that the SEIS 
will be available to the public on or about May 2007. At least one 
additional public meeting will be held at that time, during which the 
public will be provided the opportunity to comment on the Draft SEIS 
before its becomes final.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 06-8476 Filed 10-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AJ-M
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