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Febues
Monday, June 25th, 2012 #1376 |
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This digest brought to you by a sponsor of Eco-Voice
Collier County Audubon Society
Over 50 years of protecting Southwest Florida's environment
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Raindrop factory (roof of my wife's Mini-Coop)
Mark Renz photo art
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The CHNEP Restoration & Project Management Forum discussion of the CFPD Phosphate AEIS meeting on Monday June 25 in Port Charlotte from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the Charlotte Co. East Port Environmental Campus.
The meeting is open to the public.
Hope to see you next Monday in Port Charlotte for this important discussion. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa lbeever@swfrpc.org
Project Overview
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, has received permit applications for Department of the Army permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) from phosphate mining companies in Central and Southwest Florida. The Proposed Actions include creation of new phosphate mines, expansions of existing mines, and construction of attendant facilities. As proposed, these actions would result in the discharge of fill in Waters of the United States. The specific projects being considered, and their Department of the Army file numbers, are CF Industries' South Pasture Extension (SAJ-1993-01395), Mosaic Fertilizer LLC's Desoto Mine (SAJ-2011-01968), Mosaic Fertilizer LLC's Ona Mine (SAJ-2010-03680), and Mosaic Fertilizer LLC's Wingate East Mine (SAJ-2009-03221).
Issuance of Federal authorizations in the form of the applied for permits would constitute a "Major Federal Action." The Corps has determined that, when viewed collectively, the separate proposed phosphate mining-related projects have similarities that provide a basis for evaluating their environmental consequences together in one Areawide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to render a final decision on the permit applications. As part of the permit review process, the Corps is evaluating the environmental effects of these similar actions.
The Corps' decision will be to either issue, issue with modifications, or deny Department of the Army permits for the Proposed Actions. The AEIS is intended to be sufficient in scope to address federal, state, and local requirements and environmental issues concerning the Proposed Actions and permit reviews.
Purpose and Need
The Corps recognizes that there is a public and private need for phosphate, and that phosphate rock production from the CFPD is an integral element of worldwide and national provision of this mineral. The basic purpose of all four of the applicants' projects is to extract phosphate ore from the mineral reserves located in the CFPD and to construct the associated infrastructure required to extract and process the phosphate ore at a separation/beneficiation facility. This AEIS will address regionally-relevant technical issues associated with phosphate mining, and specifically will evaluate the relative environmental effects of the proposed projects and comparably-scaled alternatives.
Issues
The primary areas of environmental concern that are proposed to be addressed by the AEIS are the loss of wetland functions and value, mitigation of such losses, the effect of proposed mining on groundwater and surface water quality, and potential cumulative effects of mining on water supply, and on the water quantity and quality of river water deliveries to the Charlotte Harbor Estuary. A high level of concern has also been expressed by the public regarding understanding the regional socioeconomic effects of the phosphate mining industry. Additional issues raised during the public scoping process that will be addressed within the AEIS will include: mining effects on Federally listed threatened and endangered species, mine reclamation effects on future land uses, potential effects on downstream water body suitability for recreational uses, and potential public health concerns related to environmental conditions following mine reclamation.
Alternatives
Alternatives under consideration to be evaluated under the AEIS will include:
- The No Action Alternative (as defined by 33 CFR Part 325, Appendix B, Paragraph 9.b.5(b))
- The Applicants' Proposed Alternative(s) (as described in their Section 404 permit applications)
- Alternatives to the Applicants' proposed mining locations
- Alternatives defined by modified mine planning
- Mining Technology Alternatives that would avoid and/or minimize
Development of the alternatives remains ongoing. |
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Editorial: This time, keep Everglades promise
By Randy Schultz
Editorial Writer - Palm Beach Post
The deal between Florida and the Environmental Protection Agency isn't a victory lap for Everglades restoration, but it does mean that the race to save the "River of Grass" can start again.
Under the agreement, the state will spend roughly $880 million over the next dozen years on projects to clean water that flows into the Everglades. The initiative began in 1994 with the Everglades Forever Act, which was prompted by a 1988 federal lawsuit. The water-quality effort is separate from the federal-state Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to increase water quantity.
It takes a Ph.D to decipher the science, but in kitchen-table English the problem is that for decades fertilizer-laden water moved from farmland into the Everglades. In the fertilizer is phosphorous, which harms plants and wildlife. The amount of phosphorous must be minimal - 10 parts per billion - to be safe. Getting to that level means storing and filtering water before it gets to the Everglades.
As the consent order between the state and feds notes, Florida has built almost 94 square miles of treatment areas in the last two decades. While the water is much cleaner, though, it isn't clean enough. With these new projects, which will create more storage areas, the EPA believes that the state can meet the final standard.
In an interview with The Palm Beach Post, EPA Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming cites two reasons for optimism. "We now have the phosphorous limit (that 10 parts per billion) in writing," under what the agreement calls a Water Quality Based Effluent Limit. Also, Ms. Fleming said, "We have a robust monitoring plan in place with clear deadlines." After a "stalemate" of several years, "the parties are in place" in Tallahassee and Washington to resume work.
Still, all that state money must come from the South Florida Water Management District, and in 2011 Gov. Scott and the Legislature cut the budgets of the five water districts by $200 million. A bill this year loosened some of those restrictions, but the district can't complete the projects on time if Tallahassee's priority is cutting taxes.
In her letter to The Palm Beach Post, Ms. Fleming said, "While we would prefer an earlier schedule, we are hopeful the timetable can be accelerated if circumstances and resources permit." That's enough wiggle room for a bull gator to get through. Also, there seems to be no defined remedy if the state violates the agreement. The water district says the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will monitor progress with the EPA.
A fact sheet on the agreement from the water management district says the agency will "fund the plan through a combination of state and district revenues," including $220 million in reserves and "$300 million in anticipated revenues associated with long-term new growth in South Florida." That's hardly guaranteed money.
Ernie Barnett, the district's Everglades policy director, points out that the $300 million figure is the most conservative estimate, based on new construction. He says the district is seeing more building activity in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Finally, he notes that the Legislature approved Everglades money even while cutting the district's overall budget.
Fortunately, because of the lawsuit the federal government still has leverage over the state. Environmental groups also remain engaged. David Guest, an attorney for Earthjustice, represents some of those groups. "We will be back in court," he said, "if (the state) gets off this track."
The Everglades Forever Act set a water-quality deadline of 2006. Then-Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature pushed it back 10 years. Now the deadline is 2025. We must hope that the Everglades can hold out, and that Florida's promise this time is real.
Randy Schultz
for The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board |
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 | Teal in name only
(Blue-winged teal)
Click Mark Renz photo for information about name
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http://www.sfrestore.org/cepp/meetings/062612/logistics.pdf
The June 26, 2012, 9-4 pm, workshop is to continue to engage the
public in the CEPP planning process.
This workshop will focus on Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries.
Location: Indian RiverSide Park
Frances Langford Dockside Pavilion, 2nd Floor
1707 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, FL
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June 27-28, 2012 FWC Commission Meeting Agenda
FWC Commission Meeting - West Palm
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet June 27-28 at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens to discuss the bear management plan, federal endangered species designations, changes in hunting and saltwater harvest opportunities and the newest phase of its anchoring and mooring pilot program, among other issues.
| Time: | 8:30am each day | | Dates: | June 27 - 28, 2012 | | Place: |
The PGA National Resort
400 Avenue of the Champions
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(800) 863-2819
http://www.pgaresort.com/
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June, 2012 Commission Meeting Agenda
Items Requiring Action
- Bear Management Plan with Rules - Staff will present the revised Black Bear Management Plan and request final Commission approval. (Bear Management Plan Proposed Rule Presentation)
- 68A-4.009 - Florida Black Bear Conservation - The proposed rule prohibits unauthorized take of black bears, requires permits authorizing intentional take of bears must be for scientific or conservation purposes, and affirms that Commission will engage with private landowners and regulating agencies to guide future land use so that it is compatible with the goals and objectives of the plan. (Notice of Change)
- 68A-27.003 - Designation of Endangered Species; Prohibitions -The proposed rule change removes the black bear from the State-designated Threatened species list. (Notice of Proposed Rule 68A-27.003)
- Changes to Species Status - In 2010, changes were approved by the Commission to the Procedures for Listing and Removing Species from Florida's Endangered and Threatened Species List. Species which are native to Florida and which are designated as Endangered or Threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq. and rules thereto will be listed by the Commission as a Florida Endangered and Threatened Species by virtue of the federal designation. If a species native to Florida is added or reclassified under the ESA, and is a species within the Commission's constitutional authority, the species shall be so listed or reclassified in the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species rule pursuant to the notice provisions of Subsection 120.54(6), F.S., relating to adoption of federal standards. (Florida's Endangered and Threatened Species List Rule Amendments)
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Predator becomes preySpider wasp ( Tachypompilus ferrugineus) According to WikiPedia, Spider wasps are long-legged, solitary wasps that use a single spider as a host for feeding their larvae. They paralyze the spider with a venomous stinger. Once paralyzed, the spider is dragged to where a nest will be built - some wasps having already made a nest. A single egg is laid on the abdomen of the spider, and the nest - or burrow - is closed.
Mark Renz photo
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Scientists say rising sea levels may threaten Pinellas County in coming decades
Palm Beach Post, Tampa Bay Times
June 22, 2012
BOCA RATON - If you're worried about rising sea levels but you still want to live in Florida, Palm Beach County is a relatively safe place to own property, but probably not Pinellas County.
If oceans continue to rise in the coming decades, the areas most likely to be under water are Pinellas, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Lee counties, said scientists who gathered Thursday for Florida Atlantic University's Sea Level Rise Summit.
Palm Beach County benefits from elevations that are about 2 feet higher than those lower-lying areas, said Jayantha Obeysekera, director of modeling at the South Florida Water Management District.
"Palm Beach is a little higher," Obeysekera said.
South Florida stands to sustain significant damage from rising sea levels, said Ben Strauss, chief operating officer of Climate Central in Princeton, N.J. Florida is home to nearly half of the 4.9 million Americans who live at elevations less than 4 feet above the high-tide line, he said.
Among the cities with the most residents living at those elevations: Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Cape Coral, Miami Beach, Plantation, Miramar and Fort Lauderdale.
Many of those cities are well inland, reflecting the reality that properties near the Everglades can face a higher risk of flooding than oceanfront homes.
"The mental image most people have is mansions on the beach," Strauss said.
There was no debate among scientists that seas are rising. Gary Mitchum, an oceanographer at the University of South Florida, said sea levels rose less than 2 millimeters a year from 1950 to 1992. Since 1992, he said, seas have been rising more than 3 millimeters a year.
Scientists acknowledge that they can't predict how quickly sea levels will continue to rise, but they agreed that it will be decades before South Florida sees catastrophic flooding.
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Coming to a Florida coastal community near you: Free Ocean-front Parking Mark Renz photo
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Caloosahatchee River and Estuary in meeting its salinity goals.
District staff has announced two special issues workshops - the second of which will be an "as necessary" depending on the results of the first workshop. Both of these workshops will be held at the Clewiston Field Station. The dates of these workshops are the 10th and the 31st of July starting at 9:00am.
Also please keep in mind that the July 5th meeting of WRAC has been cancelled and an August 2nd meeting has been added.
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Come Out for Your Troubled St. Lucie River
At Meetings Both Tuesday and Thursday |
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You're needed for an important double-header next week about the future of the St. Lucie River.
First, on Tuesday, June 26, the government's task force brings its workshop show to town, at the Indian Riverside Park here in Stuart. The talk and presentations run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Public input, including that from the Rivers Coalition Defense Fund, will be available at about 3 p.m. according to organizers, whose website is at http://www.sfrestore.org/. Although everyone generally favors significant action to restore and protect the estuary, many say that the planning thus far will do virtually nothing to stop massive discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie in wet years.
It's crucial for river advocates to follow proceedings and speak up at the workshop.
Second, on Thursday June 28, the Rivers Coalition, will meet at 11 a.m. at Stuart City Hall to dig into the status of possible reforms for handling the estuary's waters.
As usual there's plenty of free parking, no admission and even coffee and donuts. We've got the light on for you.
So...plan your time to attend both meetings. The compromised river still cries out for your support and action.
The Rivers Coalition is now on FaceBook! Go to http://www.facebook.com/RiversCoalition
Upcoming Meetings
Thursday, June 28 - 11:00 am - 12:30 pm |
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| | | | Beautiful images of U.S. parks and recreation areas. |
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The South Florida Water Management District is committed to providing the public with the information and resources to participate fully in discussions and decisions on water resources.
Get started through the SFWMD Learning Center. Search for a variety of documents, including general-interest fact sheets, materials for teachers and students and in-depth publications on topics of interest to many residents and visitors. View the most popular materials, and discover how you can learn more and help preserve our shared water resources. |
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/pls/portal/portal_apps.repository_lib_pkg.repository_browse
River of Interests: Water Management in South Florida and the Everglades, 1948-2010 (Updated 2012)
"River of Interests: Water Management in South Florida and the Everglades, 1948-2010," is a history of the construction of the C&SF Project and the project's unintended impacts on the environment, and the evolution of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
by Matthew C. Godfrey, Historian, Historical Research Associates, Inc. with contributions by Theodore Catton
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Temporary refuge Mark Renz photo art
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 | Jump start your day at the Calusa Nature Center
Click Mark Renz photo to visit their web site
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BigC ORV Comment Deadline
For more info, see
www.parkplanning.nps.gov
Public comments are sought for the draft
Environmental Assessment for up to 8 offroad
vehicle trail heads in Big Cypress National Preserve
and 5 turn lanes on part of US-41.
The deadline for comments is July 5th. |
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Eco-Voice Moderator
Eco-Voice, Inc.
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