Comment from Elizabeth Walls, NEPA Program Office

There are a number of EPA-designated offshore dredge material disposal sites (ODMDS) off the coast of Florida. For example, Port Everglades Harbor lies off the OSC at Location: 26°07'30"N., 80°02'00"W.; 26°07'30"N., 80°01'00"W.; 26°06'30"N., 80°02'00"W.; 26°06'30 N., 80°01'00"W. Center coordinates are 26°07'00"N and 80°01"30"W. (NAD 83) Size: Approximately 1 square nautical mile Depth: Ranges from 640 to 705 feet See: http://www.epa.gov/region4/water/oceans/sites.html#portevergladesharbor EPA is currently looking at expanding Pt Everglades ODMDS to 4 nmi2 and designating another ODMDS near Jacksonville, FL. Additionally, the Corps of Engineers is in the planning stages for deepening and widening a number of Florida ports resulting in barge traffice to dispose of dredged materials within these designated ODMDS. EPA recommends all relevant ODMDS and anticipated barge traffic associated with Florida Harbor projects be included BOEMRE's environmental assessment. Additionally, EPA Region 4 would be interested in obtaining a copy of the draft EA for review/comment. Thank you.