Jacksonville, Fla. -- JACKSONVILLE, Florida (July 1, 2024) – The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is beginning a feasibility study and preparation of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assessment for the North Fork St. Lucie River Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) Section 1135 project. The project will focus on oxbow and floodplain restoration on the North Fork St. Lucie River and its associated tributaries. The project is being conducted under Section 1135 of Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) of 1986. This authority provides for the review and modification of structures and operations of water resources projects constructed by the Corps for the purpose of improving the quality of the environment when it is determined that such modifications are feasible, consistent with the authorized project purposes, and will improve the quality of the environment in the public interest. In addition, if it is determined that a Corps water resources project has contributed to the degradation of the quality of the environment, restoration measures may be implemented at the project site or other locations that have been affected by the construction or operation of the project, if such measures do not conflict with the authorized project purposes.
The North Fork St. Lucie River (NFSLR) and its headwaters have been dredged and channelized in the past removing their natural meandering pathways and disconnecting them from the original floodplain. Large-scale drainage modifications brought on by the Central & Southern Florida Project further contributed to the degradation of the NFSLR and its tributaries by altering the timing and distribution of flows entering the NFSLR. These changes have caused negative impacts to the River's function, floodplain, transitional habitat, receiving waters, and plant and wildlife species.
Figure 1 and 2 show the project area where restoration measures are being considered. Aquatic ecosystem restoration measures to be evaluated may include a combination of structural, non-structural, and natural and nature-based features. The locations and restoration measures are subject to change based on input received and technical analyses performed over the course of the feasibility study.
We invite the participation of Federal and State agencies, Native American Tribes, local agencies, interested parties and individuals to provide comments and to identify any issues or concerns. The Corps is asking for input on potential sites that should be considered and/or any resources of particular concern that should be highlighted as the project moves forward. Please share this notice with any interested party.
The signed NEPA Scoping Letter is available at:
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/
under St. Lucie County, row 8 (bottom row).
Your comments may be transmitted electronically to Samuel.H.Hans@usace.army.mil no later than 30 days from the date of this letter. All comments will be summarized, addressed, and used to inform development of alternatives for the North Fork St. Lucie River CAP 1135 project.
Comments may be submitted to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
Attn: Samuel Hans, Project Biologist
701 San Marco Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207-8915
or email Samuel.H.Hans@usace.army.mil
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