Specifications

Section 1 Introduction
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
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1.4 PROJECT AREA
1.4.1 Primary Study Area/Everglades Agricultural Area
The EAA is located south of Lake Okeechobee in western Palm Beach County
and encompasses approximately 620,797 acres of highly productive agricultural
land comprised of rich organic peat or muck soils (Figure 1-2). A small portion of
the Study Area includes mucklands located in western Martin County.
Approximately 77% of the Study Area (553,000 acres) is in agricultural
production - now considered one of Florida’s most important agricultural regions
for cultivation of sugar cane. The Study Area extends south from Lake
Okeechobee to the northern levee of WCA-3A. The eastern boundary extends to
the L-8 Canal. The L-1, L-2, and L-3 levees represent westernmost limits.
Throughout this report the terms planning area refers to the entire Central and
Southern Florida Project, project area refers to the entire EAA basin, and the
project footprint includes those lands upon which by project features are
constructed.
1.4.2 Land Available for Everglades Restoration activities
Consistent with several environmental studies, federal and state laws, and
recommendations contained in early Restudy planning efforts, about 50,000
acres of land were acquired by the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the
SFWMD for the “acquisition of real property within the Everglades ecosystem”
in accordance with Section 390 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996. A Framework Agreement that was entered into between
DOI, the Department of the Army, Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP), and SFWMD further states that the “parties expect the
prudent use of funds made available under Section 390 will yield a more natural
and sustainable ecosystem in South Florida.” The agreement provides a
framework for the Secretary of Interior to provide Section 390 funds to the other
parties for Everglades ecosystem restoration for both the acquisition of real
property and the construction of features that were intended to become part of
existing or future USACE projects. The agreement provided that except as
otherwise provided by law or agreed to by the Secretary of Interior, all Section
390 funds expended would be matched by non-federal funds on a dollar-for-dollar
basis. The agreement also provides: "Section 390 funds disbursed for the
acquisition of real property or the construction of features shall count as federal
funds for cost sharing purposes for Army projects. Funds provided by the non-
federal parties to match federal funds provided under Section 390 will be treated
as non-federal funds for cost-sharing purposes for Army projects. The value of
real estate acquired pursuant to this Article shall be the acquisition cost of such
real property for credit purposes under applicable cost-sharing principles."