Park seeks public comment on proposed Acquisition of Florida Power and Light Lands Environmental Impact Statement

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Date: June 9, 2011
Contact: Project Contact Brien Culhane, 305-242-7717
Contact: Park Planner Fred Herling, 305-242-7704
Contact: Media Contact Linda Friar, 305-242-7714

Superintendent Dan Kimball announced that the National Park Service (NPS), in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, is initiating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate options and potential impacts of acquiring lands owned by the Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) within the East Everglades Expansion Area (Expansion Area) of Everglades National Park. This will include the potential exchange of lands authorized in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 and other reasonable alternatives. The NPS decision at the conclusion of this process is whether to exchange NPS lands for FPL’s lands within the Park boundary or to acquire FPL’s lands by purchase, eminent domain, or by other means to be identified in the EIS. At this time, the Superintendent is announcing a 30-day public scoping period to solicit public input on issues or concerns regarding the exchange or potential land acquisition or exchange in the Park.

Background: The Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion Act of 1989 expanded the Park boundaries to "increase the level of protection of the outstanding natural values of the Park" and "to enhance and restore the ecological values, natural hydrologic conditions and public enjoyment of the area." The Expansion Act, and other legislation, authorized the NPS and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to acquire lands within the Expansion Area and to modify the Central and Southern Florida Project to restore natural hydrological conditions in the Park. To date, the park has expanded by 109,600 acres in the Expansion Area.

FPL owns about 320 acres within the Expansion Area. Because the FPL property is currently undeveloped and is needed for restoration of the Everglades ecosystem, the NPS is seeking to acquire the FPL property, manage it as part of the Park, and maintain it in its undeveloped condition. FPL is currently seeking state and federal permits to construct three major transmission lines on its existing property in the Park or on the proposed exchange corridor within the Park.

The NPS began an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed FPL land acquisition in June 2009. During evaluation of impacts likely to result from transmission line construction and operation following a land exchange and issuance of required permits, the potential for significant impacts on Park resources was identified. In light of these concerns, the NPS has initiated this EIS process to more fully examine the potential impacts of land acquisition alternatives.

Public Meeting: The public is invited to attend a public scoping meeting on June 22, 2011 at the Florida International University Stadium Club from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The address is: 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33199. This meeting will provide an opportunity for members of the public to meet and talk with Park staff, learn more about the project and provide comments.

Newsletter: A newsletter with detailed project information can be viewed or downloaded from the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site at:

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=37220

Once on the site, click the Open for Comment link.

A paper copy of the newsletter may be requested by calling the park at 305-242-7700. If prompted by voice mail, press "2" at 1st prompt and "1" at 2nd prompt to leave mailing information. Please state that you are requesting the newsletter for the Acquisition of Florida Power and Light Lands / Environmental Impact Statement Project.

How to Comment: Comments can be submitted directly on the NPS PEPC website or mailed to: National Park Service, Denver Service Center – Planning Division, Attn: FPL Project Planning Team, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225-0287

Public comments submitted during scoping for the EA in 2009 will be carried forward to this project and considered as part of scoping for this EIS. Anyone who commented on the EA is welcome to provide new, additional comments during the current public comment period.

The public comment period ends July 10, 2011.

For more information or questions about the Acquisition of FPL Lands EIS or the scoping process, contact Brien Culhane, Chief, Planning and Compliance at 305-242-7717 or by e-mail at e-mail us; or Fred Herling, Park Planner at 305-242-7704 or by e-mail at e-mail us.

 



Last updated: April 14, 2015

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