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: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) – District 7
Attn: Ms. Virginia Creighton
11201 N. McKinley Drive
Tampa, Florida 33612
WATERWAY AND LOCATION: The project would affect waters of the United States associated with Delaney Creek. The project site is located at the Interstate 75 and State Road 60 interchange, in Section 29, Township 29 South, Range 20 East, in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Directions to the site are as follows: The project is located at the Interstate 75 and State Road 60 interchange. From Interstate 4, take Interstate 75 south approximately 4 miles to the State Road 60 exit. From the Selmon Expressway, take Interstate 75 north approximately 0.5 mile to the State Road 60 exit.
APPROXIMATE CENTRAL COORDINATES: Latitude: 27.946755 °
Longitude: - 82.327882 °
PROJECT PURPOSE:
Basic: Linear transportation.
Overall: The overall project purpose is to construct roadway improvements at the I-75 and State Road 60 interchange in north central Hillsborough County, Florida.
EXISTING CONDITIONS: The wetland system consists of a freshwater system that was previously forested and has been degraded over time due to its location. The onsite vegetation consists of Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), Carolina willow (Salix caroliniana), mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissi), Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera), sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), water oak (Quercus nigra), beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), and sword fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). The existing area surrounding the project area consists of interstate travel lanes and ramps.
PROPOSED WORK: The applicant seeks authorization to discharge fill material into 2.54 acres of waters of the United States (wetlands) to reconstruct a two-lane ramp from WB SR 60 to NB I-75 with the addition of a new auxiliary lane for NB I-75 to the end of the project limits. The proposed I-75 ramp will be accommodated by two independent bridges adjacent to Bridge Number 100471 over CSX RR and Bridge Number 100469 over Woodberry Road. Existing Bridge Numbers 100471 and 100469 will be re-decked and the approach slabs will be replaced as part of this section. The applicant also seeks authorization to reconstruct the I-75 on-ramp at SR 60. It provides for the realignment of the northbound collector-distributor (C-D) road creating a 3,740-foot barrier-separated ramp. The eastbound SR 60 to northbound I-75 loop ramp is proposed to be removed from the SR 60 mainline and realigned, allowing connection to the new C-D road creating a two-lane barrier-separated ramp, and connecting to the I-75 mainline north of SR 60. A separate bridge will be constructed to accommodate the two lane ramp adjacent to the existing northbound bridge.
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:
The proposed project has been designed to avoid and minimize wetland and other surface water impacts to the greatest extent practicable. Wetland 1 is located in the Southeast Quadrant, in the infield of the I-75 northbound off-ramp, south of the existing SR 60 eastbound to I-75 northbound onramp. This wetland is a mixed hardwood/scrub-shrub system. Wetland 1 will be fully impacted by the proposed stormwater management pond, for a total of 2.54 acres of wetland impacts with the proposed improvements to I-75/SR 60 interchange. The placement of the stormwater pond within Wetland 1 was done to avoid additional purchase of right-of-way, especially since the quality of Wetland 1 is significantly degraded. Portions of Wetland 1 have been excavated to route water to the west of I-75 through the existing box culvert.
COMPENSATORY MITIGATION – The applicant has offered the following compensatory mitigation plan to offset unavoidable functional loss to the aquatic environment:
The proposed project is located within the Service Area of the approved Tampa Bay Mitigation Bank. Although this is a forested system; freshwater forested mitigation credits are not available at the Tampa Bay Mitigation Bank or within the project basin. Onsite mitigation is not feasible since there is no additional land available within right-of-way. Off-site mitigation would require additional public funding through purchase of additional right-of-way, construction of the mitigation site and long-term monitoring and maintenance, and off-site mitigation is not preferred by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Although Wetland 1 is a forested system, it is highly disturbed, low-quality and is not currently providing forested habitat for terrestrial species due to the fact that the area is cut off from other possible habitat by the on-ramp and off-ramps of I-75, I-75 mainline and surrounding development. This area essentially only serves as foraging habitat to avian species. Because of this, the applicant proposes that herbaceous credits are sufficient to offset the impacts to avian species foraging habitat. The mitigation proposed consists of out-of-kind mitigation through the purchase of 1.1 herbaceous credits from the Tampa Bay Mitigation Bank. The 1.1 credits is more than what is needed based on the results of the WRAP assessments. This was done in order to compensate for the out-of-kind mitigation to offset the wetland impacts.
CULTURAL RESOURCES:
The FDOT has conducted a cultural resource review for this project and coordinated the finding with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). There are two archaeological sites, Graves Road (8HI519) and South Railroad (8HI520), located within the project limits. The portion of each site located within the right-of-way has been previously determined not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) by the SHPO. A cultural resource coordination letter was prepared and submitted to the SHPO on November 17, 2017 with the determination that the SR 60 at I-75 Interchange Improvements will have no adverse effect on any resources listed in or considered eligible for listing in the NRHP, and concurrence was signed on December 15, 2017.
ENDANGERED SPECIES: The project is located within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Consultation Areas for Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus), Wood stork (Mycteria americana), Eastern Indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), and Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)
Wood Stork: This species typically inhabits freshwater and brackish wetlands, primarily nesting in cypress and mangrove swamps. They can be found foraging in shallow water in freshwater marshes, wet prairies, narrow tidal creeks, and flooded tidal pools, as well as roadside ditches and pasturelands. The proposed project is within the buffer of seven wood stork nesting colonies. Also, the proposed project would impact 2.54 acres of poor quality forested wetlands which exhibit the parameters of suitable foraging habitat for the wood stork. Also, based upon review of the Wood Stork Key for South Florida dated May 18, 2010, the proposed project resulted in the following sequential determination: A > B > C > E = “not likely to adversely affect” the wood stork. This is due to the applicant proposing to provide mitigation at the Tampa Bay Mitigation Bank (SAJ-1998-00796) which is within the appropriate CFA and of matching hydroperiod of the proposed impacts, and the project is not contrary to the Habitat Management Guidelines for the Wood Stork in the Southeast Region. Given the above information, the Corps has determined that the proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the wood stork.
Eastern indigo snake: Potential impacts to the Eastern indigo snake were evaluated using The Eastern Indigo Snake Programmatic Effect Determination Key, January 2010 and revised August 2013. The Corps has programmatic concurrence with the sequential determination of A > B > C > NLAA pursuant to the Key. This determination is based on the applicant implementing the Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake and there are no gopher tortoise burrows, holes, cavities, or other refugia where a snake could be buried or trapped and injured during project activities.
Florida scrub jay: The proposed project falls within the USFWS consultation area for the Florida scrub-jay. This species typically inhabits fire-dominated, low-growing, oak scrub habitat found on well-drained sandy soils and may persist in areas with sparser oaks or scrub areas that are overgrown. No appropriate habitat for the species exists near the project area, and none were observed during listed species surveys or other field work conducted by the applicant’s consultant. Additionally, the project abuts the existing I-75 and heavily trafficked SR 60 interchange surrounded by commercial and residential development and doesn’t support scrub jay habitat. Therefore, the Corps has determined that the proposed project would have no effect on this species.
Sparrow: The sparrow habitat consist of large, treeless, relatively poorly-drained grasslands that have a history of frequent fires. This species occurs in prairies dominated by saw palmetto and dwarf oaks ranging from 30 to 70 centimeters in height. Bluestem grasses, St. John’s wort, and wiregrasses are also components of grasshopper sparrow habitat. The project area is described in the existing conditions of this public notice and does not support sparrow habitat. Therefore, the Corps determination for the proposed project is “no effect” to the sparrow.
The Corps has determined the proposal would have no effect on any other listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat.
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 unnamed 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 Panama City Permits Section, Post Office Box 4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232 within 15 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, Mr. Randy Turner, in writing at the Jacksonville Permits Section, Post Office Box 4970, Jacksonville, Florida 32232, by electronic mail at Randy.L.Turner@usace.army.mil, by fax at (904) 232-1904, or by telephone at (904) 232-1670.
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.