Specifications

Section 7 Environmental Effects of the Selected Plan
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
7-11
the shallow habitat that may be created during the dry (breeding) season in the
main portion of the reservoir, since wood storks require shrinking wetlands to
concentrate food resources for their specialized feeding. Listed wading birds
(including wood storks) and other wetland dependent fauna will also benefit
from the deep-water refugia created within the reservoirs. These refugia may
become important foraging areas for listed wading birds during extreme
drought. This will possibly create opportunities for wading bird foraging. Also,
the short-hydroperiod wetlands within the 560-acre seepage/habitat buffer, the
long-hydroperiod wetlands within the approximately 1,495 acre STA, and the 76
acres of contoured littoral shelves along the seepage canal may provide suitable
habitat for wood stork foraging and compensate for some of the loss of existing
wetlands and temporarily flooded fields. Wood storks have been documented
foraging along the margins of canals. Foraging opportunities along the Miami,
North New River, Cross, and Bolles Canals may be temporarily disrupted during
canal expansion activities. However, no long-term effects are expected.
Although drydowns within the reservoir could concentrate and improve prey
availability for wood storks, the potential remobilization of contaminants is of
concern. When aquatic areas such as a reservoir dry and are subsequently
rehydrated, there is the potential for harmful contaminants such as mercury to
be remobilized and ingested by prey species or by wood storks directly while
feeding, thus negatively impacting the stork. The operation of the reservoir will
be such that complete drydown of the reservoir cells will be minimized. The
USFWS and FFWCC will be involved in developing the operations manual. The
Habitat Guidelines for the Woodstork in the Southeast Region will be
incorporated into the construction specifications. The USACE determines that
this project “may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect” the wood stork.
7.9.4 Bald Eagle
Bald eagles use the EAA and open water for occasional foraging; however, no
eagle nests are documented in the vicinity of the project site. Eagles prefer
using available open water areas near Lake Okeechobee for both nesting and
foraging. Replacement of agricultural lands by open water reservoirs should not
adversely affect bald eagle populations and may improve open water foraging
areas. However, as discussed above regarding wood storks, when aquatic areas
such as a reservoir dry and are subsequently rehydrated, there is the potential
for harmful contaminants such as mercury to be remobilized and ingested by
prey species of the bald eagle, thus negatively impacting the eagle. Reservoir
drydowns will be minimized to the extent practicable. Also, the Management
Guidelines for the Bald Eagle in the Southeast Region and Bald Eagle Standard
Local Operating Procedures for Endangered Species will be used during
construction of the EAA Project. If new electrical lines are constructed near
open water to service new pumps, the publication "Suggested Practices for