Scoping Meeting
On Thursday, September 18th, the City of Port St. Lucie hosted a daylong series of events as part of the Scoping Meeting for the Crosstown Parkway Extension, a proposed new River Crossing over the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. All agencies participating/cooperating with the City regarding the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) were invited, and at least one representative of most agencies attended. There were 44 total participants. The majority of the attendees came for the full day session. The list of agencies and other groups in attendance is shown below.
- Federal Highway Administration American Consulting Engineers, Inc.;
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection;
- Keith and Schnars, P.A.;
- Florida Department of Transportation;
- Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.;
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission;
- Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (PM only);
- Indian “River Keeper” City Engineering Department Staff;
- South Florida Water Management District;
- US Army Corps of Engineers;
- US Coast Guard;
- US Environmental Protection Agency; and
- US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The primary purpose of the meeting was to provide an overview of the project, and to facilitate the scoping process, thus promoting participation of all affected resource and regulatory agencies and interested parties with specific knowledge about the project study area. Other purposes included identifying project issues, establishing information resources and analytical techniques and methods to aid in problem solving, and facilitating efficiency in the Project Development process.
Events, including a boat trip on the St. Lucie River, provided a first-hand view of the natural environment with particular attention paid to the location of the six (6) alternatives under study in the (PD&E). Note: During the boat tour, a Bald Eagle was sighted perched on a tree on the east side of the river just prior to approaching the crossing location of Alternatives 2A and 2D.
A bus trip, traveling along the roadways and into the neighborhoods, potentially impacted by the various alternatives was also conducted (including an approach from the west via Crosstown Parkway – currently under construction). The agenda included a video of the trails within the Savannas Preserve State Park, an environmentally sensitive location, as well as meetings throughout the day.
The tone of the day was one of “partnership and inclusion.” FDOT, staff and consultants solicited candid dialogue on issues, concerns, hurdles and suggestions that need to be considered throughout the EIS process. Participation was robust, as each agency addressed the room of attendees.
Significant topics of discussion included:
- Project Culture (Commitment and Cooperation to meet challenges of project schedule);
- Role and Process of Lead Agency (Federal Highway Administration);
- Solid Environmental Impact Statement (EIS);
- Purpose & Need clearly defined and documented;
- Conservation lands;
- Traffic Modeling;
- Impacts Analysis Process and Documentation;
- Impacts Avoidance, Minimization & Mitigation;
- Public Involvement and Public Outreach;
- Use of FDOT project website (electronic screening tool) as resource for agencies and public Importance of Administrative Record;
- Construction methodology/Borings methodology;
- Bridge Clearance Requirements;
- Funding opportunities through Transportation Planning Organization;
- Uplands & Wetlands Analysis & Impacts;
- Water quality & drainage;
- Cultural Resource Assessment (CRA) process and results;
- 4f (park lands) documentation and process;
- Public Transportation Opportunities; and
- Conceptual Environmental Resource Permit.
The attached pages provide a summary of the specific comments offered by the meeting attendees.
Overall, the day was a success. Participants shared their experiences, saying that the events of the day were informative, including the discussion of issues, and that the scoping meeting's agenda was well executed.
From a project standpoint, the partnership is working – commitments to an aggressive schedule were reinforced, and candid dialogue was undertaken. On-going monthly meetings should ensure the continuance of this partnership and successful completion of the EIS through the Record of Decision (ROD).
St. Lucie Crosstown Parkway
USEPA Comments
Identify Resources and Level of Importance
The proposed project is located within protected areas of the Savannahs Preserve State Park and the North Fork of the St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve. Wetlands associated with theses areas contain high quality tidal and freshwater wetland systems. Specifically the proposed project would effect high quality, tidal wetlands dominated by red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle). Mangrove wetlands located within south Florida form a vital component of the estuarine and marine environment, providing a major organic detrital base to the aquatic food chains, significant habitat for arboreal, intertidal and subtidal organisms, sites, cover and foraging grounds for birds, and habitat for reptiles and mammals. Mangroves also provide protected nursery area for fishes, crustaceans, and shellfish and are an important tool in recycling nutrients within the estuarine ecosystem. For these reasons, EPA considers these mangrove wetlands to be aquatic resources of national importance (ARNI). The proposed project will occur within hydric pine flatwoods. We consider hydric pine flatwoods systems to be ARNI, because they are threatened habitats that provide nesting, resting, and feeding sites for a wide variety of wildlife species. Hydric pine flatwoods of south Florida are unique areas that provide essential forested habitat for wildlife including the wood stork (Mycteria americana), redcockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais), gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis), and 900 native plant species including 80 rare and endemic species. Additional benefits include filtering upland runoff, stabilizing sediments, and taking up nutrients which help to improve the quality of nearby waters. Hydric pine flatwoods are rare outside south Florida, but are of critical, regional importance as one of the dominant forest cover types in south Florida. This geographically limited, subtropical habitat type has seasonal hydrologic variation, which results in a habitat with the highest plant diversity of any in south Florida. Despite the importance of this habitat type, south Florida hydric pine flatwoods are among the least protected lands in Florida, with only nine percent in public ownership. Regionally, the loss of hydric pine flatwoods habitats of south Florida will critically affect the biodiversity and endemic flora and fauna of south Florida (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1999). Lastly, the site contains sawgrass marshes which provide principal environmental values related to water quality and quantity. They serve as filter systems for water and protect natural bodies of water from eutrophication. Numerous birds can be found in this community year-round or for over-wintering. They also provide habitat for frogs, snails, and crayfish, which serve as food source for larger protected animals that are found in this region. Protected animals that can be found in and around sawgrass marsh systems include the Everglades mink (Mustela vison evergladensis), Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi), snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis), wood stork (Mycteria americana), and American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Therefore, EPA considers the sawgrass wetlands to be ARNI as well.
Comments on Effects to Resources:
Proposed project will occur within high quality tidal and freshwater wetland systems which EPA considers to be ARNI. Therefore every effort should be made to avoid impacts to ARNI. This should include:
1) Review existing corridors routes that could be widen to accommodate future growth.
2) Tunnel under ARNI to fulfill the project purpose.
3) Construct storm water treatment areas in uplands.
4) Construct an expansion bridge, with support structures located in uplands.
5) No Action Alternative.
Minimization:
1) Construct a bridge using the least amount of pilings necessary.
2) Construct a bridge high over wetlands to reduce shading.
3) Use Best Management Practices for construction of a bridge in areas EPA considers ARNI.
4) Review bridge alignments to make them as short as possible, which would reduce wetland impacts.
Mitigation: Proposed mitigation should occur with the watershed of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.
Comments on Alternatives Presented:
Analysis of alternatives C1a and C1b, the widening of the existing bridges, is deficient. This alternative should be considered and analyzed thoroughly. The significant environmental impact avoided during construction and post construction of a new bridge should be evaluated and added to this analysis.
Back to Top
