Engineers Corps August 3, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District (CEMVN), intends to evaluate water management features for the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway, System, Louisiana Project, excluding the Henderson Lake Management Unit, to improve water quality and interior water circulation, remove barriers to reestablish north to south water flow; provide input of oxygenated low temperature water; and reduce or manage sediment input into the interior swamp. The action is necessary due to the existing poor water quality resulting from the lack of internal circulation and oxygenated water inputs, and increased sedimentation. In addition if action is not taken, both deep-water and shallow water habitat utilized by fish and wildlife resources will continue to be lost, reduced, or degraded. The intended result of the proposed work is to prolong the life expectancy of the productive habitat (primarily aquatic and cypress tupelo habitats) that would become scarce over time by restricting or redirecting sediments, while simultaneously achieving a healthy water circulation pattern that would maintain or restore water quality and reestablish north to south water movement. This is a modification of the notice of intent posted in the Federal Register on July 16, 2004 (69 FR 42696).

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.