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: Jose Fernandez
Homestar Builder
216 Catalonia Avenue, #107
Coral Gables, FL 33134
WATERWAY AND LOCATION: The project would affect waters of the United States associated with the Bird Drive Wetlands Basin. The project site is located at approximately SW 30 Street and SW 152 Avenue and proposes fill activities in waters of the United States in Section 16, Township 54 South, Range 39 East, unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida (folios #30-4916-000-0070, 30-4916-000-0080 and 30-4916-000-0090).
Directions to the site are as follows: From the Homestead Extension of the Florida Turnpike go West 3.5 miles on Tamiami Trail (US 41, SW 8th Street) to SW 152 Avenue and go south 1.25 miles to the site at SW 30 Street.
APPROXIMATE CENTRAL COORDINATES: Latitude: 25.740228°
Longitude: -80.439175°
PROJECT PURPOSE:
Basic: The basic project purpose is residential development.
Overall: The overall project purpose residential development, in southwest Miami-Dade County.
EXISTING CONDITIONS: The wetland system consists of a freshwater system. The majority of the site is dominated by Melaleuca. Historically, this site was an herbaceous freshwater marsh system, and some areas of herbaceous wetland prairie are still present. The Melaleuca in the southeastern portion of the site contains an understory of native ferns. Evidence of topographical alteration from tire ruts and the establishment of trails is present. The site has been hydrologically isolated by surrounding developments from any other natural areas or water features.
PROPOSED WORK: The applicant seeks authorization to develop the site by mechanically clearing the property, excavating a 2.5 acre on-site lake for stormwater management and use the 65,000 cubic yards of limerock to fill the remaining 10-acres to construct a residential subdivision and its appurtenant structures.
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:
“Design modifications for the avoidance and minimization of impacts were explored, however, any reduction in project footprint would result in project that is not financially practicable. Furthermore the functional value of any preserve area would be compromised by the residential developments that hydrologically isolates the subject parcel from any other undeveloped areas.”
COMPENSATORY MITIGATION – The applicant has offered the following compensatory mitigation plan to offset unavoidable functional loss to the aquatic environment:
“The applicant proposes compensation for the unavoidable wetland impacts by purchasing credits from the Hole-in-the-Donut at Everglades National Park to provde greater long term ecological value than the area of wetland to be affected.”
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). The proposed activity is within the Core Foraging Area (CFA) of six wood stork colonies. 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>E=MANLAA.
The Corps has determined the proposed project “May affect but is not likely to adversely affect” (MANLAA) 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>E= MANLAA.
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 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. Our initial determination is that the proposed action would not have a substantial adverse impact on EFH or Federally managed fisheries in the snapper-grouper complex as the proposed project impacts freshwater wetlands. 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 Southwest 107th Avenue, Suite 203, Miami, FL 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 Southwest 107th Avenue, Suite 203, Miami, FL 33176; by electronic mail at Megan.L.Clouser@usace.army.mil; by facsimile transmission at (305)526-7184; or, by telephone at (305)526-7182.
IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES: 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.
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 or 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 determination, comments are used to assess impacts to endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above. 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.