97-1335. Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Dade County Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project, Project Modification at Sunny Isles  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 3012-3013]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-1335]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
    Corps of Engineers
    Department of the Army
    
    
    Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
    for the Dade County Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project, 
    Project Modification at Sunny Isles
    
    AGENCY: U.S. 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 Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project, Project 
    Modification at Sunny Isles. The study is a cooperative effort between 
    the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Dade County Department of 
    Environmental Resources Management (DERM) which is also a cooperating 
    agency for this DEIS.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Kenneth Dugger, 904-232-1686, Environmental Branch, Planning Division, 
    P.O. 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 Supplemental Appropriations Act 
    of 1985 and the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-
    662) provided authority for extending the northern limit of the 
    authorized project to include the construction of a protective beach 
    along the 2.5 mile reach of shoreline north of Haulover Beach Park 
    (Sunny Isles) and for periodic nourishment of the new beach.
        Beach fill placed along the northern portion of Sunny Isles rapidly 
    erodes due to spreading (end) losses. Following each beach fill 
    placement, a large discontinuity in berm widths exists at the Sunny 
    Isles/Golden Beach city limit. Material from the wide post-nourishment 
    Sunny Isles shoreline diffuses rapidly northward into Golden Beach, 
    which is offset approximately 150 feet further landward immediately 
    following beach fill placement.
        To resolve the problem of end losses and to increase storm 
    protection along the Sunny Isles coastline, a combination of 
    interacting and interdependent shore protection measures have been 
    studied. The proposed action consists of construction of a 120 foot 
    wide advance maintenance berm (along Sunny Isles Beach), a 1500 foot 
    beach fill transition (offshore Golden Beach), and two 400 ft
    
    [[Page 3013]]
    
    segments of submerged geotextile breakwater (offshore Sunny Isles). All 
    construction of the beach fill transition offshore of Golden Beach 
    would occur on State of Florida lands, which are located below the mean 
    high water line. The transition would taper from 120 feet wide at the 
    Sunny Isles/Golden Beach city limit to zero feet, over a length of 1500 
    feet offshore of Golden Beach. The planned source of borrow for this 
    action is a southerly extension of an offshore borrow site south of 
    Government Cut. The forecast completion date for the proposed project 
    modification would be by the end of 1998.
        The 2nd Periodic Renourishment at Sunny Isles was addressed in a 
    final Environmental Assessment dated May 1995. The proposed 
    modification primarily differs from the 2nd Periodic Renourishment in 
    that it uses a different borrow source, places additional material on 
    the beach (an advance maintenance berm), and it also involves two 
    project features not previously used at this location. These are a 
    geotextile breakwater (offshore of Sunny Isles) and a transition fill 
    (offshore of Golden Beach). The proposed action including the above was 
    described in the feasibility study and final Environmental Impact 
    Statement for the ``Coast of Florida Erosion and Storm Effects Study, 
    Region III'' dated November 1996 but was not proposed for authorization 
    in that document.
        Alternatives: Alternatives considered include no action, non-
    structural measures, the construction of revetments, perched beaches, 
    breakwaters, beach fills of varying widths, construction of submerged 
    nearshore berms, beach fill transitions, and a beach fill/groin 
    combination. Alternative sand sources in addition to the use of the 
    proposed borrow area for nourishment, include the use of other local 
    offshore sand sources, the use of other sand sources such as upland 
    sources, Bahamian sand, other foreign sands, or other distant sources.
        Issues: The EIS will consider impacts on coral reefs and other 
    hardbottom communities, protected species, shore protection, health and 
    safety, 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 scoping letter was sent to interested parties on April 
    21, 1993. 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 
    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.
        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 cooperating agency, 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 February 1, 1997.
    
        Dated: December 31, 1996.
    Hanley K. Smith,
    Acting Chief, Planning Division.
    [FR Doc. 97-1335 Filed 1-17-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3710-AJ-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
01/21/1997
Department:
Army Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of intent.
Document Number:
97-1335
Pages:
3012-3013 (2 pages)
PDF File:
97-1335.pdf