Jacksonville District -- JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Apr. 29, 2025) – Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy (NEPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regulation (33 CFR 230.11), USACE, Jacksonville District is issuing a Notice of Availability for a Proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) “Low-Impact Alterations to USACE Federally Authorized Civil Works Projects Conducted by Non-Federal Sponsors or Independent Requestors in Accordance with Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (Codified at 33 U.S.C. Ş 408) [“Section 408”] Jacksonville District.” The objective of the draft PEA is to disclose the effects of low-impact Section 408 Civil Works project changes on the human environment.
USACE Jacksonville District and associated non-Federal sponsors have constructed Federally authorized civil works projects across Jacksonville District’s area of responsibility. Typically, these projects encompass large areas and serve various purposes such as flood risk management, navigation, coastal storm risk management, and ecosystem restoration. Many projects are operated and maintained by non-Federal sponsors; however, the USACE is responsible for ensuring that the integrity and primary functions of these projects are maintained at all times. Requests by non-Federal sponsors or independent entities (i.e., private, public, State, Tribal, or other Federal entities) to make authorized changes to, or temporarily or permanently occupy or use, any USACE Federally authorized civil works project must be reviewed, evaluated, and processed in accordance with Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (3 March 1899, 30 Stat. 1152) codified at 33 U.S.C. § 408 (commonly referred to as "Section 408").
There are numerous proposed changes being planned by non-Federal sponsors and independent requestors that would modify existing USACE civil works projects in Florida. The types of changes proposed are primarily roadways, utility lines (including gas, water, electricity, fiber optic and supporting infrastructure), bridge construction expansion and replacements (including bridge demolition), culvert installation and replacement, docks, structures (including buildings, kiosks, manatee barriers, trash rakes, and remote power facilities), signs, and communication towers but could also include other proposed, but similar, low-impact changes subject to review and approval in accordance with Section 408. These projects are needed to develop local infrastructure and provide basic services to stakeholders.
The proposed FONSI, draft PEA, and associated appendices are available for your review on the USACE Jacksonville District website, under District Wide, dropdown menu below the “Environmental Documents (not by county)” heading. Scroll to the bottom of the table to find the document links.
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/
USACE Jacksonville District is requesting that all comments be submitted by email to:
DLL-CESAJSection408PublicNotice@usace.army.mil. Please include “Low-Impact Alterations to USACE Federally Authorized Civil Works Projects Conducted by Non-Federal Sponsors or Independent Requestors in Accordance with Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (Codified at 33 U.S.C. Ş 408) [“Section 408”] Jacksonville District” in the subject line of your email within 30 days of the Notice of Availability.
Questions concerning the proposed action can also be submitted to Kurt Moseley by email at kurt.r.moseley@usace.army.mil or by phone at 904-232-1071.
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