Specifications

Section 8 Plan Implementation
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
8-6
increase in groundwater elevations beneath STA 3/4 is not expected to adversely
affect water quality treatment functions of that project and can be further
managed by project surface water operations considering these groundwater
deliveries. The effects within the Holey Land WMA are confined to within
approximately 500 to 1000 feet of the EAA Storage Reservoir Project footprint,
and are not expected to adversely affect fish and wildlife habitat and
recreational use functions of that area and can be further managed by project
surface water operations considering these groundwater deliveries
The selected plan includes a buffer area surrounded by a seepage collection
canal including seepage return pumps to manage seepage within the project
footprint. Due to the inclusion of this feature, the initial evaluation did not
indicate that there was an effect on groundwater elevations in agricultural lands
north of the project site beyond the project footprint due to the southeasterly
gradient of groundwater in this area. The design of the selected plan also
includes a cutoff wall beneath the levee to provide additional stability and
seepage control. The cutoff wall would provide additional control of seepage
resulting from the hydraulic head created by the storage of water in the
reservoir. This feature is included in the cost estimate for the selected
alternative plan. Due to the location of the proposed buffer and seepage
collection system west of the FDOT right-of-way for US 27 and the results of the
preliminary hydrologic and hydraulic modeling analyses to date, which indicate
that the proposed EAA Reservoir project is not expected to result in increased
water levels in adjacent canal systems, the EAA Reservoir Project is not
expected to adversely impact the integrity of US 27.
8.4.2 Effects on Legal Sources of Water
In general, the Project is designed to reduce damaging high water levels in Lake
Okeechobee and reduce the volume, frequency, and duration of ecologically
damaging discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuarine systems.
The Project is also intended to collect and store runoff from the EAA and to
provide a supplemental source of water for agricultural users in the EAA and an
additional source of water for fish and wildlife in WCAs 2 and 3.
In accordance with Section 601(h) (5) (A) of WRDA 2000 (P.L. 106-541), CERP
projects may not eliminate or transfer existing (as of December 2000) legal
sources of water for:
• agricultural or urban water supplies;
• an allocation or entitlement to the Seminole Tribe of Florida;
• the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida;
• water supply for Everglades National Park; or
• water supply for fish and wildlife