[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63034-63035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30085]
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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 Lee County Beach Erosion Control Project, Gasparilla and Estero
Islands, Lee County, Florida
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 Lee
County Beach Erosion Control Project, Gasparilla and Estero Islands,
Lee County, Florida.
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 Project for Lee
County, Florida, was authorized in accordance with recommendations of
the Chief of Engineers in House Document number 91-393, under the
provisions of Section 201 of the Flood Control Act of 1965 enacted by
House Resolution dated December 15, 1970, and Senate Resolution dated
December 17, 1970. The authorization provides for Federal participation
in beach restoration and periodic nourishment along portions of the
Gulf shore of Lee County. Captiva Island was included in this
authorization and has been constructed. The proposed action consists of
a protective beach, estimated berm width of up to 120 feet, along 2.7
miles of shore on Gasparilla Island, and 4.6 miles on Estero Island.
The borrow site for Estero Island has an area of 1.59 square miles, and
is located in the Gulf approximately 1.5 miles southwest of Sanibel
Island. The borrow site for Gasparilla Island has an area of 2.8 square
miles, and is located in the Gulf just north of Boca Grande Pass.
Alternatives: Alternatives considered include no action, non-
structural measures, the construction of revetments, perched beaches,
breakwaters, beach fills of varying widths, construction of submerged
near-shore 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 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 August
12, 1996. 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 State
Historic Preservation Officer, and with the FWS under the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act. A request and scope of work for a Fish and
[[Page 63035]]
Wildlife Coordination Act Report was forwarded to FWS on October 20,
1998.
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.
DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be available
to the public on or about January 13, 1999.
Dated: October 28, 1998.
Michael A. Moore,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Acting Chief, Planning Division.
[FR Doc. 98-30085 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
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