Public Notice Notifications

The Jacksonville District currently has five categories of public notice notification mailing lists. If you wish to receive email notifications when new public notices are added to this page, please send a request to Regulatory Webmaster.  Each category is described below. Be sure to specify which list(s) you want to be included on.

Florida - This includes all public notices for projects being reviewed for Standard Permits within the State of Florida.

Antilles - This includes all public notices for projects being reviewed for Standard Permits within the Antilles area (this includes Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands).

Tropical Storms & Other Emergencies - These public notices provide information on procedures for emergency permitting requirements due to specific tropical storm events or other emergency situations.

Special Issues - These are public notices that involve the Regulatory program but which are generally not limited to one particular geographic area. These would include public notices for the establishment or modification of Restricted Areas/Danger Zones, re-issuance of General Permits or Nationwide Permits, changes to guidance and policies, etc.

Administrative Penalty - These public notices provide information associated with Administrative Penalties. An Administrative Penalty can be assessed to address violations associated with issued Department of the Army permits.

SAJ-2020-00090(SP-MLC)

Published July 17, 2020
Expiration date: 8/16/2020

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:  The Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received an application for a Department of the Army permit pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1344)) as described below:

 

 

APPLICANT:            Shoppes at Highland North

                                 Atlas Hialeah Heights, LLC

                                 336 Dania Beach Boulevard

                                 Dania, FL 33004

 

 

WATERWAY AND LOCATION:  The project would affect waters of the United States associated with the East Turnpike Wetlands Basin in Miami-Dade County. The proposed project is located in freshwater wetlands south of NW 170 St, and east of NW 97 Ave.   The project is within Section 16, Township 52 South, Range 40 East (Folio #04-2016-000-0011).

 

Directions to the site are as follows:  From I-75 South, exit at NW 138th street heading west. Turn right/ north on NW 97th avenue and proceed 2 miles north to the intersection

of NW 170th Street and NW 97th Avenue. The project will be on your right.

 

APPROXIMATE CENTRAL COORDINATES:

Latitude:       25.926735º

Longitude: - 80.356268º


PROJECT PURPOSE:

Basic: The basic project purpose is for commercial development.

Overall: The overall project purpose is for commercial development within northwest Miami-Dade County.

 

EXISTING CONDITIONS: This project site is dominated by exotic wetland vegetation with scattered native understory. The wetlands onsite have been severely degraded via exotic vegetation and poor hydrology, starting in the 1960’s and proceeding on through the years with the further dense development and improvement of infrastructure in the surrounding area. Neighboring stormwater drainage efforts have severely decreased hydrology in the area, resulting in drier soils, less standing water, and vast exotic recruitment.

 

PROPOSED WORK: The applicant proposes to impact 10 acres of freshwater wetlands and its associated stormwater treatment areas for commercial purposes.  The applicant proposes to fill the site with 70,000 cubic yards of clean limerock fill.  Work is proposed in U.S. waters in accordance with the attached site plans.

 

AVOIDANCE AND MINIMIZATION INFORMATION:  The applicant has provided the following information in support of efforts to avoid and/or minimize impacts to the aquatic environment:

 

“Based on the low ecological value of the parcel it is unlikely that a viable wetland preserve could be incorporated into the project. Any proposed preserve would be significantly adversely affected by secondary impacts from existing surrounding land uses. The proposed filling will be performed in such a way as to preserve water quality from potential contamination during construction. In order to minimize impacts to adjacent wetlands, the applicant proposes to implement the FDEP NPDES BMP's to ensure turbidity standards are met or exceeded. Material used on the site will consist entirely of clean fill. A full Avoidance & Minimization Analysis will be submitted soon”

 

COMPENSATORY MITIGATION:  The applicant has offered the following compensatory mitigation plan to offset unavoidable functional loss to the aquatic environment:

 

To offset anticipated impacts, federal herbaceous mitigation credits will be purchased at either FP&L Everglades Mitigation Bank or at Everglades National Park’s Hole-in-the-Donut, in-lieu-fee program.

 

CULTURAL RESOURCES:   The Corps is not aware of any known historic properties within the permit area.  By copy of this public notice, the Corps is providing information for review.  Our final determination relative to historic resource impacts is subject to review by and coordination with the State Historic Preservation Officer and those federally recognized tribes with concerns in Florida and the Permit Area.

 

ENDANGERED SPECIES:   A preliminary review the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Protected Resource Divisions (NMFS-PRD)’s list of Endangered and Threatened Species indicates the following listed species may occur in the project area:

The Corps has determined the proposed project will have no effect on the Everglade snail kite, as the site does not contain habitat for this species and it is not designated critical habitat for this species.

The Corps has determined the proposed project is “May affect but is not likely to adversely affect” the wood stork (Mycteria americana). Based on the Effect Determination Key for the Wood Stork in South Florida (dated May 18, 2010), the Corps determination sequence was A>B>C>D=MANLAA.

The Corps has determined the proposed project “May affect but is not likely to adversely affect” the Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi).  Based on the Eastern Indigo Snake Effect Determination Key (dated August 1, 2017), the Corps determination sequence resulted in A>B>C>D= May affect, but is not likely to adversely affect.  

The Corps has determined the proposed project “May affect but is not likely to adversely affect” the Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus). Based on the 2013 FBB Effect Determination Guidelines, the Corps determination sequence resulted in 2>a= “May affect but is not likely to adversely affect.” The Corps will request initiation of formal consultation/informal correspondence with the Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act by separate letter.

The Corps has determined the proposal would have no effect on any other listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat.

This notice serves as request for information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Protected Resource Division, and any other interested party, on whether any species listed or proposed for listing may be present in the area.

 

ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT (EFH):  This notice initiates consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service on EFH as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 1996.  The proposal would have no impacts on tidally influenced waters. Our initial determination is that the proposed action would have a no impact on EFH or Federally managed fisheries within Biscayne Bay.  Our final determination relative to project impacts and the need for mitigation measures is subject to review by and coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

 

NOTE:  This public notice is being issued based on information furnished by the applicant.  This information has not been verified or evaluated to ensure compliance with laws and regulation governing the regulatory program.  The jurisdictional line has not been verified by Corps personnel.

 

AUTHORIZATION FROM OTHER AGENCIES:  Water Quality Certification may be required from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and/or one of the state Water Management Districts.

 

COMMENTS regarding the potential authorization of the work proposed should be submitted in writing to the attention of the District Engineer through the Miami Permits Section, 9900 SW 107th Avenue, Suite 203, Miami, Florida, 33176 within 30 days from the date of this notice.

 

The decision whether to issue or deny this permit application will be based on the information received from this public notice and the evaluation of the probable impact to the associated wetlands.  This is based on an analysis of the applicant's avoidance and minimization efforts for the project, as well as the compensatory mitigation proposed.

 

QUESTIONS concerning this application should be directed to the project manager, Megan Clouser, in writing at the Miami Permits Section, 9900 SW 107th Avenue, Suite 203, Miami, Florida, 33176, by electronic mail at Megan.L.Clouser@usace.army.mil or by telephone at (305)526-7182.

 

IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES: Preliminary review of this application indicates that an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. Coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Marine Fisheries Services, and other Federal, State, and local agencies, environmental groups, and concerned citizens generally yields pertinent environmental information that is instrumental in determining the impact the proposed action will have on the natural resources of the area. By means of this notice, we are soliciting comments on the potential effects of the project on threatened or endangered species or their habitat

 

EVALUATION: The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the proposal will be considered including cumulative impacts thereof; among these are conservation, economics, esthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historical properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food, and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and in general, the needs and welfare of the people. Evaluation of the impact of the activity on the public interest will also include application of the guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, EPA, under authority of Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act of the criteria established under authority of Section 102(a) of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. A permit will be granted unless its issuance is found to be contrary to the public interest.

 

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, State, and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other Interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.

 

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT CONSISTENCY: In Florida, the State approval constitutes compliance with the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan. In Puerto Rico, a Coastal Zone Management Consistency Concurrence is required from the Puerto Rico Planning Board, in the Virgin Islands, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources permit constitutes compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Plan.

 

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING: Any person may request a public hearing. The request must be submitted in writing to the District Engineer within the designated comment period of the notice and must state the specific reasons for requesting the public hearing.