Specifications

Section 7 Environmental Effects of the Selected Plan
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
7-19
Releases of water from the proposed reservoir to the EPA to the south will
benefit the ridge and slough habitat and particularly the tree islands in this area
as compared to the future-without-project condition. The positive impacts to
these habitats will be subtle. However, it will affect large areas - at least
257,586 acres of ridge and slough habitat and 11,788 acres of tree islands.
7.12.5 Canal Modification
The presence of DDT, its degradation products, and other pesticides in the
sediments of the North New River, Cross, and Bolles Canals represent a
potential environmental impact resulting from the proposed action. Increasing
the capacity of the canals for the flow of water will require removal of a certain
amount of the sediments from their respective bottoms. In order to avoid the
exposure of these chemicals to adjacent soils and wetlands, the Corps would
implement environmental protection measures that isolate potentially
contaminated soil. The proposed action includes proper handling and disposal of
contaminated sediments. This will consist of measuring levels of pesticides in
undisturbed sediments, avoiding disturbance of contaminated sediments where
possible, and isolating, removed contaminated sediments by installing such
features as turbidity curtains and/or settling basins. Sediments would be
disposed of in an approved manner, consistent with the level and nature of
contamination. For example, sediment laden with compliant, albeit elevated,
levels of chloro-pesticide concentrations will be either immobilized as fill
material during new embankment construction; or disposed of in accordance
with State environmental regulations. Thus, negative impacts from removing
and managing presently unconfined contaminated sediments is planned to be
minimal to non-existent.
7.13 SOCIOECONOMICS
Social and/or economic impacts that could occur with construction and operation
of the Preferred Alternative are the following:
1. Induced substantial population growth;
2. Displaced on-site population;
3. Substantial employment losses; and,
4. Increased demand on community services causing service level reductions.
Construction and operation of the Preferred Alternative will not have significant
direct or indirect effects on populations within the EAA or South Florida Region
as measured by displaced population from Compartment A and induced
population growth. The 2000 U.S Census reported 20 persons living along the
eastern border of Compartment A. The purchase agreement between the DOI,
SFWMD and the landowners allowed farming to continue on most of the land