Specifications

Section 5 Formulation of Alternative Plans
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
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each region. In addition to system-wide performance measures, an evaluation
methodology was developed to capture localized alternative effects.
5.4.2.1 Quantification of Ecological Benefits Methodology
A method was developed and used to evaluate project alternatives and quantify
ecological benefits associated with the alternative plans. The method produced
quantitative output that allowed the study team to compare ecosystem benefits
across all alternatives. The method used performance measures developed and
agreed upon by the study team and RECOVER. These performance measures
have quantifiable and well-defined targets, and tools available to predict
performance. The evaluation method was developed to be as simple as possible,
readily understandable, and agreeable to all parties and participants involved
with the Project.
5.4.2.1.1 Division of Project Area into Regions
Most of the ecological benefits to be derived from this Project are expected to
occur on a system-wide level. To facilitate quantifying ecological benefits, the
Project area was divided into four major ecologic zones based on general
ecological characteristics unique to each region. These ecologic zones include: 1)
Lake Okeechobee, 2) St. Lucie Estuary, 3) Caloosahatchee Estuary, and, 4) the
Greater Everglades (WCAs 2, 3, and Everglades National Park).
5.4.2.1.2 Performance Measure Assessment Methodology
This methodology provided a framework for quantifying ecological benefits for
project alternatives. Benefits were quantified as an ecological benefits index by
aggregating all performance measure values applicable to a given ecological zone
into a single equation, yielding a single benefits value similar to the
Hydrogeomorphic Method (Smith, et. al., 1995; Smith and Wakeley 2001). This
approach allowed a convenient means for weighting performance measures and
provided a process for removing bias that could be incurred from correlated (i.e.,
dependent) performance measures. Finally, the process provided the capability
of converting the ecological index values into Habitat Units.
5.4.2.1.3 Use of EAA Storage Reservoirs Performance Measures
Initially, a total of 14 system-wide performance measures were selected for this
Project from applicable performance measures from the CERP Regional
Evaluation Team (RET). The performance measures were limited to those that
might show differences between with and without project conditions and were
refined to increase the sensitivity of the model output. All of the performance
measures used hydrologic targets. To make the correlation between hydrologic
output and ecosystem functions, the Ecological Sub-team used the Conceptual