[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 198 (Friday, October 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25452]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 14, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
(SEIS) for Aquatic Plant Management at Lake Seminole, Florida-Georgia-
Alabama
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intends to
prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), in
conjunction with a Supplement to the Master Plan for Aquatic Plant
Management at Lake Seminole, Florida-Georgia-Alabama. Aquatic plants,
particularly hydrilla, are causing significant water resource problems
at the lake, covering about 75 percent of the surface area. The Mobile
District will evaluate the aquatic plant problems at Lake Seminole,
determine achievable levels of control, develop and evaluate
alternatives for long-term aquatic plant control at the lake, and
recommend an environmentally and economically sound plan.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, Inland
Environment Section, P.O. Box 2288, Mobile, Alabama 36628-0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Michael J. Eubanks, (205) 694-3861.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam and Lake
Seminole were authorized by Congress in the River and Harbor Act of
1946 for the primary purposes of navigation and hydropower and
construction was completed in 1957. Other project purposes include
public recreation, regulation of stream flow, water quality, and fish
and wildlife conservation. Since impoundment of this 37,500-acre Corps
lake, aquatic plants (particularly hydrilla) have grown to problem
levels. The aquatic plant management at Lake Seminole has been
discussed in two environmental impact statements (EIS's) prepared by
the Corps:
1. Final EIS for Lake Seminole and Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam
(Operation and Maintenance), Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, filed with
Council on Environmental Quality on April 16, 1976, and,
2. Final EIS for the Aquatic Plant Control Program--Mobile
District, filed with the Council on Environmental Quality on October
16, 1978.
However, the level of aquatic plant coverage at the lake has
increased from approximately 21 percent at the time these EIS's were
prepared to the current estimated 75 percent. This increase in aquatic
plants is causing significant adverse impacts on small boat navigation
interference, water quality degradation, fish and wildlife habitat
degradation, recreation area use interference (e.g., swimming beaches
and boat ramps), increased shoreline extension into the lake by
trapping sediments, increased mosquito production, hydropower intake
structure blockage, and a decrease in lakeshore property values. A
number of aquatic plant management techniques have been utilized since
project construction, including chemical (herbicides), biological, and
mechanical. Herbicidal control applications have been the most
effective technique demonstrated to date; however, these repetitive
applications are costly (annual herbicidal program expenditures are
approximately $750,000. Two potential aquatic plant management
techniques which have not been utilized to date at Lake Seminole: water
level fluctuation (drawdown) and stocking of the triploid (sterile)
grass carp, have been discussed for many years by the Corps, federal
and state agencies, and the public. However, a number of technical
concerns about these methods remain resolved. Therefore, no consensus
has been reached regarding the viability of their use on Lake Seminole.
Proposed Action and Alternatives
The Mobile District will formulate and evaluate alternatives to
address long-term aquatic plant management on the lake including all
reasonable chemical, biological, and mechanical methods, as well as
considering various combinations. The no action alternative evaluation
will include two options:
1. Continuation of the ``status quo'' aquatic plant control
activities, and
2. Cessation of all aquatic plant control activities.
Scoping
The Mobile District will conduct public scoping meetings at various
locations around Lake Seminole. Copies of a draft Plan of Study were
mailed for review to appropriate federal and state agencies on
September 6, 1994, and an interagency meeting was conducted at Lake
Seminole on September 15, 1994. As soon as dates and locations of the
public scoping meetings have been established, they will be published
in local newspapers which serve the population near Lake Seminole. The
purpose of the meetings will be to gather information from the public
about the issues they would like to see addressed in the SEIS. Comments
may be made orally or in writing at the meetings, or they may be sent
to the Mobile District at the address listed above. Potentially
significant issues that will be analyzed in depth in the SEIS include
environmental and economic impacts of various aquatic plant management
alternatives (e.g., grass carp and drawdown) on fishery, waterfowl,
water quality, endangered and threatened species, and wetland
resources. The evaluation will not only consider potential direct
effects of these options on Lake Seminole, but also the potential
effects on upstream and downstream resources.
Environmental Review and Consultation Requirements
Coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be
accomplished in compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species
Act. Evaluation of the potential use of grass carp will be coordinated
with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Georgia
Department of Natural Resources, and Alabama Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources. Coordination required by other laws and
regulations will also be conducted.
SEIS Preparation
The Mobile District estimates that the draft SEIS will be available
for public view in February 1996.
Kenneth L. Denton,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-25452 Filed 10-13-94; 8:45 am]
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