Okeechobee Waterway Project Master Plan Update DRAFT Draft Okeechobee Waterway Master Plan Update and Integrated Environmental Assessment 23 July 2018 Okeechobee Waterway Project Master Plan Update DRAFT This page intentionally left blank. Okeechobee Waterway Project Master Plan Update DRAFT Okeechobee Waterway Project Master Plan DRAFT 23 July 2018 The attached Master Plan for the Okeechobee Waterway Project is in compliance with ER 1130-2-550 Project Operations RECREATION OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE GUIDANCE AND PROCEDURES and EP 1130-2-550 Project Operations RECREATION OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE POLICIES and no further action is required. Master Plan is approved. Jason A. Kirk, P.E. Colonel, U.S. Army District Commander i Okeechobee Waterway Project Master Plan Update DRAFT [This page intentionally left blank] ii Okeechobee Waterway Project Master Plan Update DRAFT Okeechobee Waterway Master Plan Update PROPOSED FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR OKEECHOBEE WATERWAY MASTER PLAN UPDATE GLADES, HENDRY, MARTIN, LEE, OKEECHOBEE, AND PALM BEACH COUNTIES 1. PROPOSED ACTION: The proposed Master Plan Update documents current improvements and stewardship of natural resources in the project area. The proposed Master Plan Update includes current recreational features and land use within the project area, while also including the following additions to the Okeechobee Waterway (OWW) Project: a. Conversion of the abandoned campground at Moore Haven West to a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) with access to the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) and day use area. b. Closure of the W.P. Franklin swim beach, while maintaining the picnic and fishing recreational areas with potential addition of canoe/kayak access. This would entail removing buoys and swimming signs and discontinuing sand renourishment. The area could be planted with selected native vegetation, leaving access paths for shore fishermen. A floating platform for canoe/kayak access is being considered within the current beach area. 2. NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION: A Master Plan is required for each civil works project. It serves as a planning document for Federal land use features, including recreational opportunities. The primary goals of this OWW Master Plan Update are to prescribe an overall land and water management plan, resource objectives, and associated design and management concepts, which (1) provide the best possible combination of responses to regional needs; (2) contribute toward providing a high degree of recreation diversity within the region; (3) emphasize the particular qualities, characteristics, and potentials of the project; and (4) exhibit consistency and compatibility with national objectives and other State and regional goals and programs. 3. ALTERNATIVE TO THE PROPOSED ACTION CONSIDERED: The Master Plan Update considered reasonable alternatives, including No Action. With the No Action Alternative, the abandoned campground would likely stay abandoned, and the W.P. Franklin swim beach would remain open. The Proposed Action is intended as an update that would improve the overall land use and safety within the OWW. All other features included within the Master Plan would be no different than the description of the existing iii Okeechobee Waterway Project Master Plan Update DRAFT conditions and No Action. 4. FACTORS CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING THAT NO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT IS NEEDED: Based on the Environmental Assessment, the OWW Master Plan will not significantly affect human health and the environment. The OWW Master Plan is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. 5. CONCLUSIONS: The environmental analysis supports the conclusion that the OWW Master Plan will not significantly impact health and the human environment; consequently, an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. Jason A. Kirk, P.E. Date Colonel, U.S. Army District Commander iv Okeechobee Waterway Project Master Plan Update DRAFT Table of Contents 2.10 Invasive Species ................................................ 2-16 2.11. Wetlands ............................................................ 2-16 PROPOSED FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT..iii 2.12. Cultural Resources ............................................. 2-17 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................... E-1 2.13. Okeechobee Waterway Project Components .... 2-18 1. Introduction ........................................................................ 1-1 2.13.1. St. Lucie Lock and Dam Reservation ............ 2-20 1.1. Project Authorization .............................................. 1-1 2.13.2 St. Lucie Canal ............................................... 2-21 1.2. Project Purpose and Need ....................................... 1-3 2.13.3. Port Mayaca ................................................... 2-23 1.3. Purpose and Scope of Master Plan .......................... 1-4 2.13.4. Herbert Hoover Dike...................................... 2-23 1.4. Brief Watershed and Project Description ................ 1-5 2.13.5. Lake Okeechobee ........................................... 2-24 1.5. Listing of Prior C&SF Project Design Documents 2.13.6. Clewiston Operations Office.......................... 2-24 related to Recreation, Public Use, and Operation/Related 2.13.7. Moore Haven Lock Reservation .................... 2-24 Environmental and Design Documents ............................. 1-7 2.13.8. The Caloosahatchee Canal ............................. 2-25 1.6. Listing of Pertinent Project Information ................. 1-7 2.13.9. Ortona Lock and Dam .................................... 2-26 2. Project Setting (Exiting Conditions) and Factors 2.13.10. W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam ........................ 2-27 Influencing Management and Development .......................... 2-1 2.13.11. Easement Properties ....................................... 2-27 2.1. The Master Plan Study Area. .................................. 2-1 2.13.12. Lake Okeechobee Park .................................. 2-28 2.2. Existing Conditions and Description of Lake 2.13.13. Clewiston Park Recreation Area .................... 2-28 Okeechobee, the St. Lucie River, and the Caloosahatchee 2.13.14. South Hicpochee Access Area ....................... 2-28 River ................................................................................. 2-2 2.13.15. Nubbin Slough Recreation Area .................... 2-28 2.3. Hydrology................................................................ 2-3 2.13.16. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) ......... 2-28 2.4. Shoreline Plan, Sedimentation and Erosion ............ 2-4 2.13.17. Easement Properties ....................................... 2-28 2.5. Water Quality .......................................................... 2-5 2.14. Aesthetics........................................................... 2-31 2.6. Climate .................................................................... 2-6 2.15. Baseline Socioeconomics .................................. 2-31 2.7. Topography, Geology, Soils.................................... 2-6 2.16. Demographic Analysis ...................................... 2-32 2.8. Fish and Wildlife Resources ................................... 2-7 2.16.1 Methodology .................................................. 2-32 2.9. Threatened and Endangered Species ..................... 2-10 2.16.2. Age Segmentation .......................................... 2-33 2.16.3. Racial/Ethnic Population Distribution ........... 2-33 TOC-1 Okeechobee Waterway Project Master Plan Update DRAFT 2.16.4. Households, Income, and Poverty Level ....... 2-37 3.3.1. Alternative 1: .................................................. 3-4 2.17. Recreation Facilities, Activities, and Needs ...... 2-37 3.3.2. Alternative 2: .................................................. 3-5 2.18. Zones of Influence ............................................. 2-38 3.3.3. Alternative 3: ................................................... 3-5 2.19. Visitation Profile................................................ 2-38 3.4. Issues and Basis for Choice ..................................... 3-5 2.20. Recreational Analysis ........................................ 2-38 3.5. Preferred Alternatives ............................................. 3-5 2.21. Recreational Carrying Capacity ......................... 2-41 4. Land Allocation, Land Classification, and Project Lands 4-1 4.1. Land Allocation ....................................................... 4-1 2.22. Conceptual Relationship/Linkage between recreation use and Management of Lake Okeechobee .... 2-41 4.2. Land Classification .................................................. 4-1 2.23. Recreational Value to the Nation, Florida ......... 2-43 4.2.1. Project Operations ............................................ 4-1 2.24. Related Recreational, Historical, and Cultural Areas 4.2.2. Recreation ........................................................ 4-1 ........................................................................... 2-43 4.2.3. Fish and Wildlife.............................................. 4-2 2.25. Real Estate* (Real Estate/Acquisition Policy)* 2-43 4.2.4. Waterway Corridor .......................................... 4-2 2.26. Applicable Federal Laws and Directives ........... 2-45 4.2.5. Project Lands ................................................... 4-2 4.3. Environmentally Sensitive Areas ............................ 4-3 2.26.1. Public Laws .................................................... 2-45 2.26.2. Cooperative Agreements ...............................