SAJ-2023-01454 (JKA-DMG)

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:  The Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received a complete prospectus proposing the establishment of a mitigation bank pursuant to the 2008 Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources regulations (33 CFR Part 332) as described below:

WATERWAY AND LOCATION:  The proposed project, identified as the Zona Rosa Heritage Mitigation Bank (ZRHMB) is a proposed wetland mitigation bank.  The project site is located south of Highway 70, in Sections 3 and 4, Township 28 South, Range 26 East, east of the City of Arcadia, DeSoto County, Florida.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY:  Pursuant to 33 CFR 332.8(d)(4), the Corps has posted a full copy of the ZRHMB prospectus online so that it is available for review by the public.  The prospectus may be downloaded from the Regulatory In-Lieu Fee and Bank Information Tracking System (RIBITS) at web address: https://ribits.ops.usace.army.mil/ords/f?p=107:2.

Once on the RIBITS homepage, select "Jacksonville" from the "ALL DISTRICTS" drop down menu located in the lower left corner of the screen.  Once the district filter has been selected, click on the “Banks & ILF Sites” link located in the Navigation box (upper left corner).  This will generate a list of projects, scroll down the list and click on the “Zona Rosa Heritage MB” link.  On this page, click on the "Cyber Repository" link located on the menu bar above the General Information box, then click on the Prospectus Documents folder to access the prospectus associated with the ZRHMB project.  If you are unable to access the web address, a copy of the prospectus is available upon request to the project manager listed at the end of this public notice.

• Enhancement of 9 acres of wetland hardwood forest
• Enhancement of 14 acres of Mixed Wetland Hardwoods
• Restoration of 4 acres of Gum Swamp
• Restoration of 136 acres of Freshwater Marsh
• Rehabilitation of 17 acres of Hydric Pine Flatwoods
• Re-establishment of 6 acres of Hydric Pine Flatwoods
• Rehabilitation of 52 acres of Wet Prairie
• Re-establishment of 3 acres of wet prairie
• Enhancement of 5 acres of open water

ECOLOGICAL SUITABILITY OF THE SITE: A review of available information indicates that the project site historically consisted of  freshwater marsh, wetland hardwoods, and wet flatwoods prior to the introduction of agricultural activities in the 1940’s.  Forested and herbaceous wetlands were cleared and drained (by the construction of ditches) for cattle grazing, sod farming, hunting, and other agricultural operations.  The ZRHMB would provide additional connectivity to the surrounding 32,000 acres of conservation lands, such as the Bright Hour Watershed and Tiger Bay.

ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF THE BANK:  The proposed ZRHMB would be established and operated by Four Mile Island, Inc. as the sponsor with the assistance of TerraBlue Environmental.  The property that comprises the ZRHMB is owned by Four Mile Island, Inc.. The ZRHMB is proposed to be established as a wetland mitigation bank.  Following successful implementation and attainment of final performance standards, long-term management activities will be implemented to ensure the sustainability of the ZRHMB.  In addition, the Sponsor will provide sufficient financial assurances and long-term management financing to ensure construction and long-term management of the proposed ZRHMB.

PROPOSED SERVICE AREA:  The ZRHMB proposed service area is the entire  Peace River Basin identified as Hydrologic Unit Code 03100101. 

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:  The Corps has determined the proposal may affect the Florida Bonneted Bat (Eumops floridanus); Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), and the wood stork (Mycteria americana).  The Corps will request initiation 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.

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. No EFH is located within, or areas affected by the project.  Our initial determination is that the proposed action would not have a substantial adverse impact on EFH or Federally managed fisheries in the South Atlantic Region.

SECTION 408: The sponsor will not require permission under Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (33 USC 408) because the activity, in whole or in part, would not alter, occupy, or use a Corps Civil Works project.

NOTE:  This public notice is being issued based on information furnished by the sponsor.  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.

COMMENTS:  Comments regarding the proposed mitigation bank should be submitted in writing to the District Engineer at the address below within 30 days from the date of this notice.

QUESTIONS concerning this application should be directed to the project manager, Jerilyn Ashworth, in writing at the Mitigation Programs Team, 4400 PGA Boulevard, Suite 500, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410; by electronic mail at Jerilyn.Ashworth@usace.army.mil; or, by telephone at (561)545-3171.

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: After the end of the comment period, the district engineer will review all comments received and make an initial determination as to the potential of the proposed project to provide compensatory mitigation for activities authorized by Department of the Army permits. 

The 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 proposed activity.  All comments received will be considered by the Corps during the formulation of the initial determination of potential for 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.