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Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a Dredge and Fill Permit Application for the Farmland Hydro LP (FHLP) Proposed Mine Project in Hardee County, Florida

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: August 14, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 157)]
[Notices]
[Page 49553-49554]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14au00-63]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for a Dredge and Fill Permit Application for the Farmland Hydro LP
(FHLP) Proposed Mine Project in Hardee County, Florida

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act, (33 U.S.C.
1344) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has regulatory authority to
permit the discharge of dredge and fill material into wetlands and
other waters of the United States. In compliance with its
responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, (41 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers intends to prepare a DEIS in conjunction with review
of a dredge and fill permit application for the FHLP Hardee County Mine
Project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald H. Silver, (904) 232-2502, West
Permits Branch, Regulatory Division, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville,
Florida 32232-0019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FHLP proposes to construct and operate a
phosphate rock mine within its 15,000-acre property in Hardee County
near the rural community of Ona, Florida. The phosphate rock will be
converted elsewhere to a form that can be used as an essential crop
nutrient or for other applications such as consumer products.
    The project will include mining, clay storage, reclamation, and a
beneficiation plant for washing and refinement of the rock, including
various support facilities. FHLP proposes to use electric draglines to
remove and set aside the surface soils overlying the ore
(``overburden''), and excavate the phosphate ore (``matrix'') for
beneficiation.
    After excavation by the dragline, the matrix is mixed with water to
form a slurry, which is then pumped through pipelines to the
beneficiation facility. During beneficiation, the phosphate rock is
separated from the sand and clay, which are returned to the mine for
use in reclamation.
    Areas proposed for mining include wetlands and related areas under
Corps jurisdiction pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This
project has been proceeding under the ``ecosystem management team
permitting'' (``team permitting'') process established by state law.
The Corps, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have been participating in the
identification of issues, review and approval of methodologies for site
assessment, and the evaluation of existing conditions within the
project boundaries. FHLP is preparing applications for consideration by
the permitting team and has advised the Corps of its intent to submit
an application for approval under section 404 for mining, reclamation
and enhancement of wetlands and related areas. The Corps has determined
that a site specific DEIS will be prepared prior to issuance of section
404 authorization for these activities.
    Some areas of the site are being proposed for enhancement as part
of the mitigation for mining impacts or ``net ecosystem benefits'' as
required by the state team permitting program. Impacts to these areas
resulting from enhancement efforts, including benefits, will be
evaluated. Other wetland areas will be preserved and considered in the
assessment of the project.
    Current site conditions have been evaluated using methodologies for
assessment of wetlands function and boundaries, wildlife habitat and
usage (including protected species), surface water quality and flow,
ground water conditions, and impacts from agriculture and other man-
induced changes.
    Alternatives: One aspect of team permitting has been a focused and
continuing effort to involve the public, through working groups and
public meetings. Members of the local community, environmental groups
and potentially affected neighboring interests have been invited to
participate and have given substantial input to the identification of
issues and alternatives. The alternatives analysis conducted to date
will be utilized in the preparation of the DEIS.
    Alternatives to be considered include the following:
    No Action Alternative: As required by the CEQ Regulations, the
Corps must consider the implications of the ``No Action'' alternative
(no issuance of required section 404 permits).
    Alternative mining and clay disposal scenarios: The agency
permitting team members have considered a number of alternative mining
and clay disposal scenarios, with various degrees and patterns of
wetlands preservation, disturbance and reclamation and various effects
on the economic viability of the project. These alternatives have also
included different alignments for a proposed wildlife corridor system
to be established through a combination of preservation, enhancement
and reclamation of wetlands and upland systems.
    Alternative water supply sources and water management: Members of
the permitting team have suggested analysis of options for water supply
other than the traditional use of groundwater. This alternatives review
will consider ways of reducing or avoiding dependence on groundwater
resources.
    Alternative mining and reclamation methodologies: Options for plant
site location, matrix excavation and transport, ore processing,
effluent disposal, waste clay and sand disposal, reclamation, and
product transport will be evaluated.
    Postponement of Action: Delay of the proposed action will be
reviewed.
    Other alternatives identified under the scoping process will also
be addressed.
    Issues: The EIS will consider impacts on wetlands, protected
species, fish and wildlife values, conservation, flood hazards,
floodplain values, land use, recreation, water supply and

[[Page 49554]]

conservation, water quality, energy needs, health, economics, historic
properties, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs,
considerations of property ownership, and, in general, the needs and
welfare of the people, and other issues identified through scoping,
public involvement, and interagency coordination.
    Scoping: Public meetings have been conducted since mid-1998 under
the Ecosystem Management/Team Permitting process established in
sections 403.075 and 403.0752, Florida Statutes. Issues raised by
public participants in the Team Permitting process will be incorporated
into the scoping process. At this time, there are no plans for a public
scoping meeting. Alternatives noted above are considered to be the
primary areas of review at this time, although affected federal, state
and local governments and governmental agencies, affected Indian tribes
and other interested private organizations and parties are strongly
encouraged to support additional alternatives for consideration and
otherwise submit comments on the scope of the DEIS.
    Public Involvement: We invite the participation of affected
federal, state and local agencies, affected Indian tribes, and other
interested private organizations and parties by submitting written
comments to the information contact provided in this notice.
    Coordination: The proposed action is being coordinated with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service
under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, with the FWS under the
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and with the following State of
Florida agencies: State Historic Preservation Officer, Fish & Wildlife
Conservation Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau
of Mine Reclamation.
    Other Environmental Review and Consultation: The proposed action
would involve application (to the State of Florida) for Water Quality
Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and
certification of State lands, easements, and rights of way.
    DEIS Preparation: It is estimated that the DEIS will be available
to the public on or about February 28, 2001.

    Dated: August 1, 2000.
John R. Hall,
Chief, Regulatory Division.
[FR Doc. 00-20570 Filed 8-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-AJ-M

 
 

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