CENTRAL PROJECT PLANNING. Draft PIR and EIS EVERGLADES CENTRAL EVERGLADES RESTORING THE HEART OF THE EVERGLADES. TSP Project Overview

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1 CENTRAL EVERGLADES PLANNING PROJECT Draft PIR and EIS TSP Project Overview PRESENTED BY Kim Taplin Planning and Policy Division U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District September & 25, 2013

2 OVERARCHING CERP GOAL 2

3 LAKE OKEECHOBEE St. Lucie Estuary Storage, Treatment, and Conveyance in the EAA Decompartmentalization and Sheetflow Enhancement Seepage Management Caloosahatchee Estuary Gulf of Mexico BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE EAA 3A EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK 3B Florida Bay 1 2 Biscayne Bay Atlantic Ocean Operational Changes CERP COMPONENTS UNDER CONSIDERATION PLANNING PROJECT RESTORING THE HEART OF OF THE THE EVERGLADES 3

4 Gulf of Mexico EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK Florida Bay FUTURE WITHOUT PROJECT CONDITION Biscayne Bay Atlantic Ocean Non-CERP Projects Kissimmee River C-111 South Dade C-51/STA-1E Modified Water Deliveries Herbert Hoover Dike Rehab State Restoration Strategies Tamiami Trail Next Steps Bridging 1 st Generation CERP Site 1 Impoundment IRL-South Picayune Strand 2 nd Generation CERP C-43 Reservoir Broward County WPA C-111 Spreader Canal Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands 4

5 DRAFT REPORT PUBLISHED IN FEDERAL REGISTER: AUGUST 30, 2013 Public comments on the Draft PIR/EIS * due to USACE on or before October 15, 2013 * Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement 5

6 DRAFT PIR/EIS DOCUMENT MAIN REPORT Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Existing and Future Conditions Section 3: Formulation of Alternative Plans Section 4: Evaluation and Comparison of Alternative Plans Section 5: Effects of the Alternatives Section 6: The Tentatively Selected Plan Section 7: Environmental Compliance Section 8: Recommendations Section 9: List of Preparers Section 10: Glossary and Acronyms Section 11: References Section 12: Index APPENDICES Appendix A: Engineering Appendix B: Cost Estimates Appendix C: Environmental and Cultural Resources Appendix D: Real Estate Appendix E: Plan Formulation Screening Appendix F: Recreation Appendix G: Benefits Model ANNEXES Annex A: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act and Endangered Species Act Compliance Annex B: Analysis Required by WRDA 2000 Annex C: Draft Project Operating Manual Annex D: Adaptive Management and Monitoring Plans Annex E: RECOVER System-wide Evaluation Annex F: Phosphorous Assessment for 3 and ENP Annex G: Invasive and Nuisance Species Management Plan Annex H: Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste Annex I: Sea Level Rise Assessment 6

7 CEPP GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL: Enhance Ecological Values Improve habitat and functional quality Restore seasonal hydroperiods and freshwater distribution to support a natural mosaic of wetland and upland habitat in the Everglades system Improve sheetflow patterns and surface water depths and durations in the Everglades system in order to reduce soil subsidence, the frequency of damaging peat fires, the decline of tree islands, and salt water intrusion Reduce high volume discharges from Lake Okeechobee to improve the quality of oyster and SAV habitat in the northern estuaries Improve native plant and animal species abundance and diversity Reduce water loss out of the natural system to promote appropriate dry season recession rates for wildlife utilization Restore more natural water level responses to rainfall to promote plant and animal diversity and habitat function GOAL: Enhance Economic Values and Social Well Being Increase availability of fresh water (agriculture/municipal/industrial) Provide recreational opportunities Protect cultural and archeological resources and values 7

8 PLANNING CONSTRAINTS SAVINGS CLAUSE Water Resources Development Act, 2000, Section 601(h)(5); Section , Florida Statutes Elimination or transfer of an existing legal sources of water (user) must be addressed Maintain existing level of flood protection PROJECT ASSURANCES Water Resources Development Act, 2000, Section 601(h)(4)(A); Section , Florida Statutes Identify water for the natural system Identify water for other water-related needs MEET APPLICABLE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS NO ADVERSE EFFECTS TO BISCAYNE BAY OR LAKE OKEECHOBEE 8

9 DECISION FRAMEWORK Alternatives are evaluated for their effects on: The Environment The Economy Society Alternatives are rated on: Effectiveness at achieving planning objectives Efficiency of providing project benefits Acceptability to stakeholders, sponsor and policymakers Completeness of actions necessary to realize benefits Alternatives are measured against: Planning constraints Risk and Uncertainty 9

10 PLANNING REGION ANALYSIS OF FINAL ARRAY PERFORMANCE MEASURES PERFORMANCE MEASURE DESCRIPTION Northern Estuaries Greater Everglades Southern Coastal Systems Salinity Envelopes Hydrologic Surrogate for Soil Oxidation Inundation Pattern in Greater Everglades Wetlands Number and Duration of Dry Events in Shark River Slough Sheet flow in the Everglades Ridge and Slough Landscape Slough Vegetation Suitability Salinity in Florida Bay Measure of flow events correlated to be representative of median salinities favorable to marine fish, shellfish, oyster and SAV Measure of cumulative drought intensity to reduce exposure of peat to oxidation Measure of the number and duration of inundation events used to calculate the percent period of record of inundation Measure of the number of times and mean duration in weeks that water drops below ground Measure of the timing and distribution of sheet flow across the landscape Measure to evaluate the hydrologic suitability for slough vegetation Measure to evaluate salinity optima for plant and animal species common to historical communities in Florida Bay 10

11 FINAL ARRAY OF ALTERNATIVES ALTERNATIVE 2 ALTERNATIVE 3 ALTERNATIVE 1 ALTERNATIVE 4 11

12 L.O. WATER FLOW L-28 L-4 A-2 S-8 S-333 NOT TO SCALE L-5 A-1 3A WATER CONSERVATION AREAS EVERGLADES AGRICULTURAL AREA I-75 Tamiami Trail S-334 L-67 Ext ` EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK 3B L-29 C-111 SD G SMA L-30 S L-33 S C-2 TENTATIVELY SELECTED PLAN (Alt 4R2) IMPLEMENTATION STORAGE AND TREATMENT Construct A-2 FEB and integrate with A-1 FEB operations Lake Okeechobee operational refinements DISTRIBUTION/CONVEYANCE Diversion of L-6 flows, infrastructure, and L-5 canal improvements Remove western ~2.9 miles of L-4 levee west of S-8 (3,000 cfs capacity) Construct 360 cfs pump station at western terminus of L-4 levee removal Backfill Miami Canal and Spoil Mound Removal from ~1.5 miles south of S-8 to I-75 DISTRIBUTION/CONVEYANCE Increase S-333 capacity to 2,500 cfs One 500 cfs gated structure north of Blue Shanty levee and 6,000-ft gap in L-67C levee Two 500 cfs gated structures in L-67A; 0.5 mile spoil removal west of L-67A canal north and south of structures Remove ~8 miles of L-67C levee in Blue Shanty flowway (no canal back fill) Construct ~8.5 mile levee (Blue Shanty levee) in 3B, connecting L-67A to L-29 Remove ~4.3 miles of L-29 levee in Blue Shanty flowway; divide structure east of Blue Shanty levee at terminus of Tamiami Trail Next Steps western bridge Remove entire 5.5 miles L-67 Extension levee; backfill L-67 Extension canal Remove ~6 miles of Old Tamiami Trail road (south of L-29 western levee, from L-67 Ext to ENP Tram Rd) SEEPAGE MANAGEMENT Increase S-356 pump station to ~1,000 cfs Construct 4.2 mile partial depth seepage barrier south of Tamiami Trail (along L-31N) G-211 operational refinements; use coastal canals to convey seepage Note: System wide operational changes and adaptive management considerations will be included in project FEB STA Backfill Canal Improvement Seepage Barrier Pump Old Tamiami Trail Removal Levee Removal Gated Structure Divide 12 CENTRAL Levee EVERGLADES

13 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) Federal law requiring Federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of a proposed project that are: Major Federal actions that may have a significant affect on the quality of the human environment Requires Federal agencies to consider environmental consequences before making final decisions Solicit and consider Tribal, State, local government and public views on proposals 13

14 DECEMBER 2011 October 2013 August 2013 SIGNIFICANT IMPACT NOTICE OF INTENT SCOPING PROCESS DRAFT EIS NEPA PROCESS STARTS HERE AGENCY & PUBLIC REVIEW/COMMENT PERIOD FINAL EIS NEPA PROCESS Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY & PUBLIC REVIEW/COMMENT PERIOD RECORD OF DECISION AGENCY ACTION 14

15 CATEGORIES ANALYZED Climate Geology and Soils Hydrology Water Quality Flood Control Wetlands Vegetation Fish and Wildlife Protected Species Air Quality Noise Aesthetics IN THE CEPP EIS Recreation Land Use Socioeconomics Agriculture Hazardous, Toxic & Radioactive Waste Cultural Resources Cumulative Effects Unavoidable Adverse Impacts Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources 15 15

16 Caloosahatchee Estuary Big Cypress National Preserve Lake Okeechobee Everglades National Park 3A Florida Bay 1 2 St. Lucie Estuary Northern Estuaries Greater Everglades G-372 NOT TO SCALE EAA 3B A-2 FEB STA 3/4 Supply Canal Holey Land Tract NORTH OF THE REDLINE STORAGE AND TREATMENT EQUALIZATION BASIN (FEB) A2 LEGEND: Pump Gated Structure Levee Spreader Canal Existing Structure A-1 FEB STA 3/4 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Reduction in high flow events to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries Reductions in average annual discharges (kaf/yr) from Lake Okeechobee to St. Lucie (23%) and Caloosahatchee (25%) Improve critical habitat (seagrass and oyster) for numerous species of fish (snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, etc.) and shellfish (e.g., blue crabs and shrimp) Increases water available for municipal and industrial water uses in Lower East Coast Service Area (LECSA) 2 (Broward County) and LECSA 3 (Miami-Dade County) by ~ 12 and 5 million gallons per day (MGD) respectively 16

17 Caloosahatchee Estuary Big Cypress National Preserve Lake Okeechobee EAA Everglades National Park 3A 3B 1 2 St. Lucie Estuary SOUTH OF THE REDLINE DISTRIBUTION AND CONVEYANCE LEGEND: Pump Remove ~ 13.5 miles of Miami Canal, Florida Bay Gated Structure from 1.5 miles south of S-8 to Levee I-75; Removal tree island mounds create habitat Existing and Structure promote sheetflow in A-2 FEB -3A within the footprint A-1 of the FEB former Rotenberger Holey Tract Land Tract STA 2 STA 3/4 Miami Canal L-4 Canal S-8 L-5 Canal S-7 I-75 3 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Send 210,000 acre-feet per year south into the Everglades Additional flow provides benefits to those areas located in northern 3A resulting in: Restores sheetflow and related patterns of hydroperiods and water depths Improved spatial extent of ridges and slough and health of tree islands Beneficial shifts in habitat for wildlife species (crayfish, alligators, freshwater fishes, wading birds) Constructed tree island mounds create upland habitat and promote sheetflow in 3A within the footprint of the former Miami Canal 17

18 Caloosahatchee Estuary Big Cypress National Preserve Lake Okeechobee EAA Everglades National Park 3A Florida Bay 3B 3A Old Tamiami Trail L-67 Ext 1 2 St. Lucie Estuary BLUE AND GREEN LINES DISTRIBUTION AND CONVEYANCE LEGEND: 3B L-29 Canal Pump Gated Structure Levee Levee Removal Road Removal Yellow Line Features ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Creates a flowway that re-connects 3A to 3B and Everglades National Park Improved spatial extent of ridges and slough and health of tree islands Significant increase in quantity of freshwater (~168,000 acre-feet per year) into Florida Bay via Shark River Slough Potential for reductions in the intensity, frequency, and duration of hypersaline events Average salinity decrease of 1.5 ppt during the wet and dry season Improved spatial extent of seagrass beds and mangrove communities Beneficial shifts in habitat for wildlife species (shellfish, oysters, marine fish) NOT TO SCALE EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK 18

19 Caloosahatchee Estuary Big Cypress National Preserve Lake Okeechobee EAA Everglades National Park 3A Florida Bay 3B 1 2 St. Lucie Estuary YELLOW LINE SEEPAGE MANAGEMENT LEGEND: Pump Gated Structure Seepage Wall Green Line Blue Line Features ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Provides seepage management needed to maintain project purpose for flood damage reduction in Lower East Coast Service Area (Broward and Miami-Dade counties) Maintain freshwater flow to Biscayne Bay 3A 3B Old Tamiami Trail L-29 Canal (existing) NOT TO SCALE EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK 19

20 TSP COST 20

21 PROJECT FIRST COST ESTIMATE BREAKDOWN PROJECT FIRST COST: $1.8 Billion CONSTRUCTION: $900 Million Caloosahatchee Estuary Gulf of Mexico LAKE OKEECHOBEE EVERGLADES AGRICULTURAL AREA 3 EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK Florida Bay 2 1 Biscayne Bay NON-CONSTRUCTION: (Pre-Construction Engineering Design, Lands, Supervision and Administration, Engineering During Construction) $400 Million CONTINGENCY: $500 Million ANNUAL OMRRR: $4.5 Million (new CEPP Features) $3.5 Million (Incremental Increase to Operation of State Facilities) 21

22 TSP IMPLEMENTATION 22

23 CEPP IMPLEMENTATION PHASES L-4 Levee Degrade & Pump Station L-6 Diversion S-8 Pump Station Modifications L-5 Canal Improvements Miami Canal Backfill L-67A Structure 1 One L-67C Gap Sequencing Dependent On Numerous Factors Including: Increase S- 356 and S-333 L-29 Divide Structure Federal Authorization and Appropriations State funding availability and cost share credits Water Quality Standards including WQBEL and Appendix A PPA/ Local Sponsor Support Incremental Operation and Adaptive Management L-67A Structures 2 & 3 L-67A Spoil Mound Removal Remove L-67C Levee Segment 8.5 Mile Blue Shanty Levee Remove L-67 Extension Remove L-29 Levee Segment Seepage Barrier L-31N A-2 FEB Remove Old Tamiami Trail 23

24 MONITORING AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT Types of Monitoring Water Quality Monitoring Hydro-meteorological Monitoring Ecological Monitoring Adaptive Management Monitoring Invasive Species Management 24

25 PROJECT STATUS STUDY SCOPING STUDY ANALYSIS REPORT FINALIZATION Federal Interest Problems & Opportunities Year 1 Comparison Year 2 Future Without Project Management Measures Analysis Plan Alternative Development Plan Evaluation & Plan Selection Project Implementation Report - DRAFT Agency Technical Review Independent External Peer Review Public, State Agency Review Biological Opinion Sponsor Letter of Support & Financial Plan DECISION POINT 1 (completed Jan. 2012) DECISION DECISION POINT 2 POINT 3 (completed Aug. 2013) PATH FORWARD DECISION POINT 4 STATUS Draft Project Implementation Report (PIR)/Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) available for public review. Comments will be accepted through Oct. 15, Draft EIS (45-day public review) Final EIS (30-day public review) Chief s Report Administrative Review [ASA(CW) & OMB ]

26 CEPP PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SCHEDULE Draft PIR/EIS Public Meetings Plantation: September 16, 2013 Fort Myers: September 17, 2013 West Palm Beach: September 18, 2013 Stuart: September 19, 2013 Homestead: September 25, 2013 Comment Period Ends October 15, 2013 Submit Comments to: 26

27 COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES Public Comment Cards Mail: Dr. Gretchen Ehlinger U.S. Army Corps of Engineers P.O. Box 4970 Jacksonville, FL Additional Information Available at: 27

28 L-28 A-2 S-333 Tamiami Trail NOT TO SCALE S-8 L-67 Ext EVERGLADES AGRICULTURAL AREA A-1 L-4 L-5 2 3A EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK To Florida Bay 3A Taylor Slough I-75 3B L-31N L-30 L-29 S-335 S-334 S-356 Shark River G-211 Slough L-33 1 LOWER EAST COAST (LEC) TENTATIVELY SELECTED PLAN (Alt 4R2) IMPLEMENTATION STORAGE AND TREATMENT Construct A-2 FEB and integrate with A-1 FEB operations Lake Okeechobee operational refinements DISTRIBUTION/CONVEYANCE Diversion of L-6 flows, infrastructure, and L-5 canal improvements Remove western ~2.9 miles of L-4 levee west of S-8 (3,000 cfs capacity) Construct 360 cfs pump station at western terminus of L-4 levee removal Backfill Miami Canal and Spoil Mound Removal from ~1.5 miles south of S-8 to I-75 DISTRIBUTION/CONVEYANCE Increase S-333 capacity to 2,500 cfs One 500 cfs gated structure north of Blue Shanty levee and 6,000-ft gap in L-67C levee Two 500 cfs gated structures in L-67A; 0.5 mile spoil removal west of L-67A canal north and south of structures Remove ~8 miles of L-67C levee in Blue Shanty flowway (no canal back fill) Construct ~8.5 mile levee (Blue Shanty levee) in 3B, connecting L-67A to L-29 Remove ~4.3 miles of L-29 levee in Blue Shanty flowway; divide structure east of Blue Shanty levee at terminus of Tamiami Trail Next Steps western bridge Remove entire 5.5 miles L-67 Extension levee; backfill L-67 Extension canal Remove ~6 miles of Old Tamiami Trail road (south of L-29 western levee, froml-67 Ext to ENP Tram Rd) SEEPAGE MANAGEMENT Increase S-356 pump station to ~1,000 cfs Construct 4.2 mile partial depth seepage barrier south of Tamiami Trail (along L-31N) G-211 operational refinements; use coastal canals to convey seepage Note: System wide operational changes and adaptive management considerations will be included in project FEB Backfill STA Seepage Barrier Pump Levee Removal Divide Old Tamiami Trail Removal Gated Structure 28 Levee