NEPA_CE.pdf

NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1) Page 1 of 5

Categorical Exclusion Form Everglades National Park

Miami-Dade County, Florida

Project Number: NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1) Date: November 26, 2018 Project Name: Rehabilitation of Main Park Road (Route 10) and Visitor Center and NPS Headquarters (Route 900)

Project Description:

The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), proposes to rehabilitate, resurface, and develop approximately 9.6 miles of the Everglades National Park Main Park Road (Route 10) and Visitor Center and NPS Headquarters (Route 900). Project work includes asphalt pavement milling and overlay, asphalt pavement patching (full depth and partial depth), shoulder and roadway reconditioning, paved pull-off improvements, new asphalt pavement on undisturbed area, pavement widening, pavement markings, and other miscellaneous work. New asphalt pavement on undisturbed areas will maximize parking spaces at the Administrative Parking Area. An existing fire hydrant (draft well) will be relocated to the unpaved area east of its current location as recommended by the Structural Fire Coordinator.

Mitigation Measures:

For the proposed project to be in compliance with requirements during project implementation, the proposed project actions must adhere to the below mitigations from the Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (CE) (PEPC #61956) and project-specific mitigation measures identified by the NPS. Adherence to all project mitigations is assigned to Mayumi Mato with the NPS.

- Work is not approved in wetlands. Work adjacent to wetlands should follow NPS best management practices, including appropriate siltation controls.

- Any changes to the scope of the proposed action, including work activities not detailed in the project description, will require further NEPA/NHPA review. Please contact the Compliance Office if any changes or additional activities are contemplated.

NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1) Page 2 of 5

Topic Mitigation Measures Timeframe

General Resource Management

Establishment of off-site staging areas on non-hardened surfaces requires consultation with the EPC Office and appropriate subject-matter experts.

Prior to and concurrent with project activities

Visitor Use and Experience

To avoid or minimize impacts to visitors, construction projects should be coordinated with park off-season for visitors (May-October) when possible.

Prior to project activities

To avoid or minimize impacts to visitors, complete closure of facilities to visitors should be minimized. Only partial and/or limited closures of visitor access should be used when possible.

Prior to project activities

Wetlands Appropriate runoff controls (silt fencing or other) must be utilized as needed to prevent impacts to wetlands adjacent to work areas.

Concurrent with project activities

Natural Resources

The Project Leader will provide project descriptions under this programmatic CE to the Biological Resources Branch representative for review and a determination of whether project activities could affect sensitive wildlife or designated critical habitat. The park Biological Resources Branch representative will work with the Project Leader to determine what species surveys are required, and determine timing of project activities to avoid sensitive seasons and sites for listed species including (but not limited to): the American crocodile, the bonneted bat, indigo snake, sea turtles, etc. Only after required species surveys have been completed and no sensitive species are encountered can the project proceed with a “no effect” or “not likely to adversely affect” determination. The Project Leader is responsible for requesting the necessary surveys for sensitive species through the Biological Resources Branch representative approximately one month prior to initiation of the project to ensure that surveys can be completed prior to beginning work. This will allow the wildlife specialists time to prepare for and schedule the surveys into their work schedule as well as time to provide a written summary of the survey. Surveys for sensitive species will be conducted by wildlife specialists approximately two weeks prior to the initiation of the project. If initiation of the project is delayed, then additional surveys may be required (as determined by the Biological Resources Branch representative) to determine continued absence of the species form the project area. Resource management staff will provide a brief write up of when the survey was conducted (i.e. date and time), species surveyed for, and observations/conclusions from the survey for project records.

Prior to project activities

To avoid or minimize the introduction or spread of non-native, invasive plant and animal species, disturbed areas will be allowed to recover naturally. If necessary, and in coordination with the park Botanist, any fill, mulch, reseeding, and sod material brought into the park must be free of non-native, invasive plants and animals, and noxious weeds.

Prior to project activities

Repair or replacement of landscape features will be carried out with plants native to Everglades National Park and appropriate to the region of the park where they are being replaced OR are landscape features identified in an approved cultural landscape plan. Park Botanist will be consulted prior to carrying out this work. Park Botanist will respond in writing within 5 days detailing required mitigations or indicating that no additional mitigations are required.

Prior to project activities

Project sites that lie within boundaries of designated critical habitat shall be reviewed and inspected by the Biological Resources Branch representative to determine whether essential features or PCEs of the critical habitat may be affected. If one or more essential features or PCEs may be affected and the location is within the designated critical habitat, section 7 consultation will be conducted individually.

Prior to project activities

If individual wood storks, eastern indigo snakes, Florida panthers, American crocodiles or other listed species are present or observed at a proposed work location, work will be postponed until the individual(s) leaves the area. Park Biologists and the Biological Resources Branch representative will be notified immediately of the time and location of the sighting(s) to determine if further mitigations are necessary.

Concurrent with project activities

If disturbance to vegetation (e.g. trimming, removal of plants, ground disturbance in vegetated areas) is required, the Park Botanist will be consulted prior to work. Park Botanist will respond in writing within 5 days detailing required mitigations or indicating that no additional mitigations are required.

Prior to and concurrent with project activities

Work under this programmatic CE cannot be performed in Wilderness, jurisdictional wetlands, marine waters, or have any in-water components.

Concurrent with project activities

Any non-historic lighting projects will implement NPS Night Skies Best Management Practices with a goal of protecting the natural lightscapes within the Park (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies/practices.htm).

Prior to and concurrent with project activities

NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1) Page 3 of 5

Topic Mitigation Measures Timeframe

Surveys for evidence of sea turtle and American crocodile nesting activity will be required for ground-disturbing activities in the Flamingo District where work may occur between March 1 and September 15. Contact with the Biological Resources Branch Representative will be made in advance of planning work to determine if surveys are needed. All work should only be conducted during daylight hours to minimize disturbance to nesting turtles and hatchlings.

Prior to project activities

If bats are encountered or evidence of bat roosting is detected, the project shall not commence until bats are removed and any additional required consultation with the USFWS is completed.

The eastern indigo snake is generally found in pine flatwoods, tropical hardwood forests and in coastal habitats in ENP. Inspections of stored materials or debris in the project area will be conducted by qualified wildlife specialist staff prior to the commencement of the project if it is necessary based on review of the project during early coordination. Requests for surveys of the project area will be made by the Project Leader to the Biological Resources Branch Chief approximately one month prior to the commencement of the project so that surveys will be complete prior to beginning work.

Prior to project activities

The Project Leader will adhere to the attached Eastern Indigo Snake Protective Measures that are appropriate to each project, as identified during review of project descriptions.

Concurrent with project activities

Prior to start of work each day, any open trenches will be inspected for presence of eastern indigo snakes or other wildlife. The Biological Resources Branch representative will be immediately notified of any wildlife encountered in open trenches.

Concurrent with project activities

Projects on roads within the boundary of critical habitat for Cape Sable thoroughwort must be reviewed prior to implementation to ensure that Primary Constituent Elements in adjacent critical habitat are not affected. If affects to Primary Constituent Elements cannot be avoided, additional review will be required.

Prior to project activities

Cultural Resources

The Project Leader is responsible for coordination of activities with the park Chief of Cultural Resources to ensure the protection of cultural resources, including American Indian Traditional Cultural Properties, cultural landscapes, and historic or prehistoric archeological sites that are listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Prior to and concurrent with project activities

According to the 2008 National park Service Programmatic Agreement Section VI, if cultural resources are discovered during project implementation all work in that area must stop and the Superintendent, park archaeologist or Chief of Cultural Resources must be notified immediately. If items protected by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) are discovered during project implementation all activity must cease in the area of discovery and immediate notice made to the Superintendent, as well as the appropriate Federally recognized Indian Tribes/Organizations and State Historic Preservation Officer

(SHPO).

Concurrent with project activities

S. Florida locator services will be contacted a minimum of 48 hours prior to any planned digging to locate utilities. The park Archaeologist will also be notified to identify the potential to affect archeological sites and to develop appropriate treatment measures, if necessary (including in previously disturbed areas). Timing of this notification will be determined during the Section 106 review.

Prior to project activities

Additional stipulations may be added depending on the proposed undertaking. Prior to project activities

Cultural resource inventories may be required depending on the proposed undertaking. Prior to project activities

Category Used to Exclude the Action from Further NEPA Analysis:

23 CFR § 771.117(c)(22) Projects, as defined in 23 U.S.C. 101, that would take place entirely within the existing operational right-of-way. Existing operational right-of-way refers to right-of-way that has been disturbed for an existing transportation facility or is maintained for a transportation purpose. This area includes the features associated with the physical footprint of the transportation facility (including the roadway, bridges, interchanges, culverts, drainage, fixed guideways, mitigation areas, etc.) and other areas maintained for transportation purposes such as clear zone, traffic control signage, landscaping, any rest areas with direct access to a controlled access highway, areas maintained for safety and security of a transportation facility, NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1) Page 4 of 5 parking facilities with direct access to an existing transportation facility, transit power substations, transit venting structures, and transit maintenance facilities. Portions of the right-of-way that have not been disturbed or that are not maintained for transportation purposes are not in the existing operational right-of-way.

23 CFR § 771.117(c)(24) Localized geotechnical and other investigation to provide information for preliminary design and for environmental analyses and permitting purposes, such as drilling test bores for soil sampling; archeological investigations for archeology resources assessment or similar survey; and wetland surveys.

23 CFR § 771.117(c)(26) Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (including parking, weaving, turning, and climbing lanes), if the action meets the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

The Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Park Service’s Planning and Compliance Office reviewed the proposed project to update the Headquarters Administrative Parking Lot and Main Entrance curb and ramp. The NPS determined that the project fits within the scope of activities approved under the 2017-2021 Parkwide Routine Maintenance and Repair Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PEPC #61956). The NPS cleared the subject proposed project for all NEPA and NHPA compliance requirements on November 1, 2018.

Agency Coordination:

Agency coordination in regards to 23 CFR 771 is complete.

FHWA reviewed species, wetlands, flood zones, and other environmental attributes.

A November 2018 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) project planning tool search and a U.S. Department of Interior FWS letter dated November 20, 2018 identified 46 threatened, endangered, or candidate species; 3 critical habitats; 24 migratory birds; 1 marine mammal; and known wetland areas that may occur within the boundary of the proposed project and/or may be affected by the proposed project.

The area where the proposed project is occurring lie directly beside wetland areas, according to a November 2018 search in the USFWS National Wetlands Inventory mapper tool. Wetlands are directly on either side of Route 10 and near Route 900.

The 900(1) proposed action is located in FEMA Flood Zone D, area with flood risk due to levee, according to a November 2018 search in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center online tool.

The proposed project occurs in a sole source acquifer, according to a November 2018 Environmental Protection Agency’s NEPAssist tool review.

Environmental Screening Form NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1) Page 1 of 2

Appendix A: Environmental Screening Form

Water and Wetlands:

• Section 404 of the Clean Water Act

Impacts to Waters of the US: ☐Yes ☒No If Yes, approval anticipated:

☐Nationwide Permit ☐Regional General Permit ☐Individual Permit

• Section 401 of the Clean Water Act ☐NWP certified by State ☐Individual Certification

• Section 402 of the Clean Water Act (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Disturbance Threshold Exceeded, Permit Required?

☐Yes ☐ No Is Stormwater Management Review/Approval anticipated?

☐Yes ☐No

• ☒Project is consistent with Executive Order 11900, Protection of Wetlands Floodplains:

• ☒ Project is consistent with Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management Proposed project actions have the potential to occur in FEMA Flood Zone D

Section 4(f) of the USDOT Act:

• Meets Section 4(f) exemption for Federal lands transportation facilities under Section

1119(c)(2) of MAP-21, U.S.C. 138(a)?

☒Yes ☐No

• Is there a Section 4(f) property in the study area?

☐Yes ☒No If Yes, continue:

De Minimis Finding:☐ Programmatic:☐ _______________________________ Individual 4(f): ☐

Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund:

• Was the property purchased with grant funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund?

☐Yes ☒No

• If Yes, was documentation of approval from National Park Service Director received for the conversion or replacement of 6(f) property? ☐Yes ☐No Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972:

• Not in Coastal Zone ☒

• Concurrence with Federal Consistency Determination ☐

Right of Way:

• Project is completely within Federal right-of-way ☒

• Project involves relocations or easements ☐

Number of Easements________ Number of Relocations________

Environmental Screening Form NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1) Page 2 of 2

Hazardous Waste and Materials:

• Are hazardous materials or contamination exceeding regulatory thresholds (as set by U.S.

EPA, County Environmental Health, etc.) present? ☐Yes ☒No

• If Yes, is the nature and extent of the hazardous materials or contamination fully known?☐ If No, briefly discuss the plan for securing information:

FHWA secures any appropriate documentation, approvals, or disapprovals for applicable hazardous materials or contamination regulations and maintains oversight to ensure thresholds are not exceeded.

Section 7(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act:

• Are there Wild and Scenic Rivers? ☐Yes ☒No

If Yes, review by river-administering agency is required.

Clean Air Act:

• Is the project in a non-attainment area? ☐Yes ☒No If Yes, is the project on the TIP/SIP? ☐ Yes ☐No

Highway Traffic and Construction Noise Regulations:

• ☐ The proposed project is a Type I project (highway on a new location, substantial horizontal or vertical alteration, new through or auxiliary lanes). Noise analysis is required.

• ☐ The proposed project is a Type II project (retrofit for noise abatement).

• ☒ The proposed project is a Type III project (noise analysis not required).

Environmental Justice and Title IV Act:

• Is an Environmental Justice population, as identified in Executive Order 12898, present?

☐Yes ☒No If Yes, briefly explain:

• Will the project induce disproportionately high and adverse impacts to minority, low income or special groups? ☐Yes ☒No If Yes, briefly explain:

Farmland Protection Policy Act for Highway Projects:

• Does the project displace, require acquisition of, or require an easement from farmland?

☐Yes ☒No

Does the project affect any additional resources? If Yes, explain below:

Categorical Exclusion Category Page 1 of 4

NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1)

Appendix B: 23 CFR 771.117 FHWA Categorical Exclusions

(c) The following actions meet the criteria for CEs in the CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1508.4) and §771.117(a) and normally do not require any further NEPA approvals by the FHWA:

☐ (1) Activities which do not involve or lead directly to construction, such as planning and research activities; grants for training; engineering to define the elements of a proposed action or alternatives so that social, economic, and environmental effects can be assessed; and Federal-aid system revisions which establish classes of highways on the Federal-aid highway system.

☐ (2) Approval of utility installations along or across a transportation facility.

☐ (3) Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities.

☐ (4) Activities included in the State's highway safety plan under 23 U.S.C. 402.

☐ (5) Transfer of Federal lands pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 107(d) and/or 23 U.S.C. 317 when the land transfer is in support of an action that is not otherwise subject to FHWA review under NEPA.

☐ (6) The installation of noise barriers or alterations to existing publicly owned buildings to provide for noise reduction.

☐ (7) Landscaping.

☐ (8) Installation of fencing, signs, pavement markings, small passenger shelters, traffic signals, and railroad warning devices where no substantial land acquisition or traffic disruption will occur.

☐ (9) The following actions for transportation facilities damaged by an incident resulting in an emergency declared by the Governor of the State and concurred in by the Secretary, or a disaster or emergency declared by the President pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5121):

(i) Emergency repairs under 23 U.S.C. 125; and

(ii) The repair, reconstruction, restoration, retrofitting, or replacement of any road, highway, bridge, tunnel, or transit facility (such as a ferry dock or bus transfer station), including ancillary transportation facilities (such as pedestrian/bicycle paths and bike lanes), that is in operation or under construction when damaged and the action:

(A) Occurs within the existing right-of-way and in a manner that substantially conforms to the preexisting design, function, and location as the original (which may include upgrades to meet existing codes and standards as well as upgrades warranted to address conditions that have changed since the original construction; and

(B) Is commenced within a 2-year period beginning on the date of the declaration.

☐ (10) Acquisition of scenic easements.

☐ (11) Determination of payback under 23 U.S.C. 156 for property previously acquired with Federal-aid participation.

☐ (12) Improvements to existing rest areas and truck weigh stations.

☐ (13) Ridesharing activities.

☐ (14) Bus and rail car rehabilitation.

☐ (15) Alterations to facilities or vehicles in order to make them accessible for elderly and handicapped persons.

☐ (16) Program administration, technical assistance activities, and operating assistance to transit authorities to continue existing service or increase service to meet routine changes in demand.

☐ (17) The purchase of vehicles by the applicant where the use of these vehicles can be accommodated by existing facilities or by new facilities which themselves are within a CE.

Categorical Exclusion Category Page 2 of 4

☐ (18) Track and railbed maintenance and improvements when carried out within the existing right-of-way.

☐ (19) Purchase and installation of operating or maintenance equipment to be located within the transit facility and with no significant impacts off the site.

☐ (20) Promulgation of rules, regulations, and directives.

☐ (21) Deployment of electronics, photonics, communications, or information processing used singly or in combination, or as components of a fully integrated system, to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface transportation system or to enhance security or passenger convenience.

Examples include, but are not limited to, traffic control and detector devices, lane management systems, electronic payment equipment, automatic vehicle locaters, automated passenger counters, computer-aided dispatching systems, radio communications systems, dynamic message signs, and security equipment including surveillance and detection cameras on roadways and in transit facilities and on buses.

☒ (22) Projects, as defined in 23 U.S.C. 101, that would take place entirely within the existing operational right-of-way. Existing operational right-of-way refers to right-of-way that has been disturbed for an existing transportation facility or is maintained for a transportation purpose. This area includes the features associated with the physical footprint of the transportation facility (including the roadway, bridges, interchanges, culverts, drainage, fixed guideways, mitigation areas, etc.) and other areas maintained for transportation purposes such as clear zone, traffic control signage, landscaping, any rest areas with direct access to a controlled access highway, areas maintained for safety and security of a transportation facility, parking facilities with direct access to an existing transportation facility, transit power substations, transit venting structures, and transit maintenance facilities. Portions of the right-of-way that have not been disturbed or that are not maintained for transportation purposes are not in the existing operational right-of-way.

☐ (23) Federally-funded projects:

(i) That receive less than $5,000,000 of Federal funds; or

(ii) With a total estimated cost of not more than $30,000,000 and Federal funds comprising less than 15 percent of the total estimated project cost.

☒ (24) Localized geotechnical and other investigation to provide information for preliminary design and for environmental analyses and permitting purposes, such as drilling test bores for soil sampling; archeological investigations for archeology resources assessment or similar survey; and wetland surveys.

☐ (25) Environmental restoration and pollution abatement actions to minimize or mitigate the impacts of any existing transportation facility (including retrofitting and construction of stormwater treatment systems to meet Federal and State requirements under sections 401 and 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1341; 1342)) carried out to address water pollution or environmental degradation.

☒ (26) Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (including parking, weaving, turning, and climbing lanes), if the action meets the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

☐ (27) Highway safety or traffic operations improvement projects, including the installation of ramp metering control devices and lighting, if the project meets the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

Categorical Exclusion Category Page 3 of 4

☐ (28) Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of grade separation to replace existing at-grade railroad crossings, if the actions meet the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

☐ (29) Purchase, construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of ferry vessels (including improvements to ferry vessel safety, navigation, and security systems) that would not require a change in the function of the ferry terminals and can be accommodated by existing facilities or by new facilities which themselves are within a CE.

☐ (30) Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing ferry facilities that occupy substantially the same geographic footprint, do not result in a change in their functional use, and do not result in a substantial increase in the existing facility's capacity. Example actions include work on pedestrian and vehicle transfer structures and associated utilities, buildings, and terminals.

(d) Additional actions which meet the criteria for a CE in the CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1508.4) and paragraph (a) of this section may be designated as CEs only after Administration approval unless otherwise authorized under an executed agreement pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section. The applicant shall submit documentation which demonstrates that the specific conditions or criteria for these CEs are satisfied and that significant environmental effects will not result. Examples of such actions include but are not limited to:

☐ (1)-(3) [Reserved] ☐ (4) Transportation corridor fringe parking facilities.

☐ (5) Construction of new truck weigh stations or rest areas.

☐ (6) Approvals for disposal of excess right-of-way or for joint or limited use of right-of-way, where the proposed use does not have significant adverse impacts.

☐ (7) Approvals for changes in access control.

☐ (8) Construction of new bus storage and maintenance facilities in areas used predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such construction is not inconsistent with existing zoning and located on or near a street with adequate capacity to handle anticipated bus and support vehicle traffic.

☐ (9) Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing rail and bus buildings and ancillary facilities where only minor amounts of additional land are required and there is not a substantial increase in the number of users.

☐ (10) Construction of bus transfer facilities (an open area consisting of passenger shelters, boarding areas, kiosks and related street improvements) when located in a commercial area or other high activity center in which there is adequate street capacity for projected bus traffic.

☐ (11) Construction of rail storage and maintenance facilities in areas used predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such construction is not inconsistent with existing zoning and where there is no significant noise impact on the surrounding community.

☐ (12) Acquisition of land for hardship or protective purposes. Hardship and protective buying will be permitted only for a particular parcel or a limited number of parcels. These types of land acquisition qualify for a CE only where the acquisition will not limit the evaluation of alternatives, including shifts in alignment for planned construction projects, which may be required in the NEPA process. No project development on such land may proceed until the NEPA process has been completed.

(i) Hardship acquisition is early acquisition of property by the applicant at the property owner's request to alleviate particular hardship to the owner, in contrast to others, because of an inability

Categorical Exclusion Category Page 4 of 4 to sell his property. This is justified when the property owner can document on the basis of health, safety or financial reasons that remaining in the property poses an undue hardship compared to others.

(ii) Protective acquisition is done to prevent imminent development of a parcel which may be needed for a proposed transportation corridor or site. Documentation must clearly demonstrate that development of the land would preclude future transportation use and that such development is imminent. Advance acquisition is not permitted for the sole purpose of reducing the cost of property for a proposed project.

☐ (13) Actions described in paragraphs (c)(26), (c)(27), and (c)(28) of this section that do not meet the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

(e) Actions described in (c)(26), (c)(27), and (c)(28) of this section may not be processed as CEs under paragraph (c) if they involve:

(1) An acquisition of more than a minor amount of right-of-way or that would result in any residential or non-residential displacements.

Yes ☐ No ☒

(2) An action that needs a bridge permit from the U.S. Coast Guard, or an action that does not meet the terms and conditions of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers nationwide or general permit under section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

Yes ☐ No ☒

(3) A finding of “adverse effect” to historic properties under the National Historic Preservation Act, the use of a resource protected under 23 U.S.C. 138 or 49 U.S.C. 303 (section 4(f)) except for actions resulting in de minimis impacts, or a finding of “may affect, likely to adversely affect” threatened or endangered species or critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act.

Yes ☐ No☒

(4) Construction of temporary access, or the closure of existing road, bridge, or ramps, that would result in major traffic disruptions.

Yes ☐ No☒

(5) Changes in access control.

Yes ☐ No☒

(6) A floodplain encroachment other than functionally dependent uses (e.g., bridges, wetlands) or actions that facilitate open space use (e.g., recreational trails, bicycle and pedestrian paths); or construction activities in, across or adjacent to a river component designated or proposed for inclusion in the National System of Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Yes ☐ No☒

Proposed Updates to Administrative Parking Area and Main Entrance Ramp [Project NP-Ever 10(5), 900(1)]

Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034

Mayumi Mato, Civil Engineer

Proposed Updates to Administrative Parking Area and Main Entrance Ramp [Project NP-Ever 10(5), 900(1)]

Aerial View of Administrative Parking Area

Proposed Improvement:

Grass islands in the administrative parking lot are currently being used by employees on daily basis for parking purposes. In order to maximize parking spaces in this zone, new Parking Area should cover the current grass islands and extend to the edge of existing spaces. The new spaces should be aligned with existing spaces in the wider parking area (light blue polygon). The proposed update requires an increase of approximately

90 square yards on the South side and 80 square yards of new asphalt pavement on the North side. Refer to the attached Construction Plan submitted by FHWA on August 09, 2018.

Existing Fire Hydrant (draft well) would be relocated to the unpaved area east of current location on the same side of the road as recommended by

Structural Fire Coordinator.

Proposed Updates to Administrative Parking Area and Main Entrance Ramp [Project NP-Ever 10(5), 900(1)]

Aerial View of Main Entrance Ramp

Overview of Proposed Improvement:

Ramp at the Main Entrance Sign will be updated to latest standards for enhanced accessibility; existing limit will be replace with concrete curb. The upgrade proposes replacement of the existing 3 feet paving stone path at the Main Entrance Sign with a 5 feet concrete parallel ramp to provide accessible visitor experience at that location.

The ramp width of disturbance is estimated not to exceed 7 feet during construction.

The accessible ramp is expected to be installed within the existing path length footprint as shown in the picture.

Proposed Updates to Administrative Parking Area and Main Entrance Ramp [Project NP-Ever 10(5), 900(1)]

Accessible Routes shall comply with Section 402 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessibility Design and the Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian

Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAG) published by the Department of Justice and US Access Board respectively.

Accessible ramps are classified as parallel or perpendicular based on the direction of running slope with respect to walking surface travel.

This upgrade proposes replacement of the existing 3 feet paving stone path at the Main Entrance Sign with a 5 feet concrete parallel ramp to provide accessible visitor experience at that location.

According to guidelines prescribed in the accessibility standards listed above, parallel curb ramps have a running slope that is in-line with the direction of sidewalk travel and lower the sidewalk to a level turning space where a turn is made to enter the pedestrian street crossing. Parallel curb ramps shall comply with Sections R304.3 and R304.5 of the ADA standards as follows:

A minimum turning space of 4 feet by 4 feet shall be provided at the bottom of the curb ramp and shall be permitted to overlap other turning spaces and clear spaces. If the turning space is constrained on 2 or more sides, the turning space shall be 4 feet minimum by 5 feet dimension that shall be provided in the direction of the pedestrian street crossing. The running slope of the curb ramp shall be in-line with the direction of sidewalk travel. The running slope of the curb ramp shall be 5 percent minimum and 8.3 percent maximum but shall not require the ramp length to exceed 15 feet minimum. The running slope of the turning space shall be 2 percent maximum. A maneuvering space of 5 feet diameter shall be provided at the landing as shown in Figure 405.7 of the 2010 ADA Standards for

Accessibility Design.

The ramp width of disturbance is estimated not to exceed 7 feet during construction.

The accessible ramp is expected to be installed within the existing length footprint.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Standards and Support Team, wetlands_team@fws.gov

Wetlands Estuarine and Marine Deepwater Estuarine and Marine Wetland

Freshwater Emergent Wetland Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland Freshwater Pond

Lake Other Riverine

November 20, 2018

0 0.9 1.80.45 mi

0 1 20.5 km

1:52,171

This page was produced by the NWI mapper National Wetlands Inventory (NWI)

This map is for general reference only. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is not responsible for the accuracy or currentness of the base data shown on this map. All wetlands related data should be used in accordance with the layer metadata found on the Wetlands Mapper web site.

USGS The National Map: Orthoimagery. Data refreshed October 2017.

National Flood Hazard Layer FIRMette

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000250 Feet

Ü

°3

5'1 3.8

2"W 25°23'56.59"N

80°34'36.36"W

25°23'24.09"N

SEE FIS REPORT FOR DETAILED LEGEND AND INDEX MAP FOR FIRM PANEL LAYOUT

SPECIAL FLOOD

HAZARD AREAS

Without Base Flood Elevation (BFE) Zone A, V, A99

With BFE or Depth Zone AE, AO, AH, VE, AR Regulatory Floodway

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard, Areas of 1% annual chance flood with average depth less than one foot or with drainage areas of less than one square mile Zone X Future Conditions 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Zone X Area with Reduced Flood Risk due to Levee. See Notes. Zone X Area with Flood Risk due to Levee Zone D

NO SCREEN Area of Minimal Flood Hazard Zone X

Area of Undetermined Flood Hazard Zone D

Channel, Culvert, or Storm Sewer Levee, Dike, or Floodwall

Cross Sections with 1% Annual Chance

17.5 Water Surface Elevation

Coastal Transect

Coastal Transect Baseline Profile Baseline Hydrographic Feature

Base Flood Elevation Line (BFE)

Effective LOMRs

Limit of Study Jurisdiction Boundary

Digital Data Available No Digital Data Available Unmapped

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United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

South Florida Ecological Services Field Office

1339 20th Street

Vero Beach, FL 32960-3559

Phone: (772) 562-3909 Fax: (772) 562-4288 http://fws.gov/verobeach

In Reply Refer To:

Consultation Code: 04EF2000-2019-SLI-0119

Event Code: 04EF2000-2019-E-00433

Project Name: NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1)

Subject: List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project

To Whom It May Concern:

The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species, as well as proposed and final designated critical habitat, that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. The species list fulfills the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under section 7(c) of the

Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this list. Please feel free to contact us if you need more current information or assistance regarding the potential impacts to federally proposed, listed, and candidate species and federally designated and proposed critical habitat. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the

Act, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list.

The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the

Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402 et seq.), Federal agencies are required to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and to determine whether projects may affect threatened and endangered species and/or designated critical habitat.

November 20, 2018 http://fws.gov/verobeach

11/20/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2019-E-00433 2

A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)

(c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12.

If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species, proposed species and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the "Endangered

Species Consultation Handbook" at:

http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF

Please be aware that bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle

Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.), and projects affecting these species may require development of an eagle conservation plan (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/ eagle_guidance.html). Additionally, wind energy projects should follow the wind energy guidelines (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/) for minimizing impacts to migratory birds and bats.

Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications towers (e.g., cellular, digital television, radio, and emergency broadcast) can be found at: http:// www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm; http:// www.towerkill.com; and http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/ comtow.html.

We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages

Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office.

Attachment(s):

▪ Official Species List

11/20/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2019-E-00433 1

Official Species List This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed action".

This species list is provided by:

South Florida Ecological Services Field Office

1339 20th Street

Vero Beach, FL 32960-3559

(772) 562-3909

11/20/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2019-E-00433 2

Project Summary Consultation Code: 04EF2000-2019-SLI-0119

Event Code: 04EF2000-2019-E-00433

Project Name: NP-EVER 10(5), 900(1)

Project Type: TRANSPORTATION

Project Description: Project work includes asphalt pavement milling and overlay, asphalt pavement patching (full depth and partial depth), shoulder and roadway reconditioning, paved pull-off improvements, new asphalt pavement on undisturbed area, pavement widening, shoulder reconditioning, pavement markings, and other miscellaneous work. New asphalt pavement on undisturbed areas will maximize parking spaces at the Administrative

Parking Area.

Project Location:

Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https:// www.google.com/maps/place/25.415677169455286N80.65928705005743W

Counties: Miami-Dade, FL https://www.google.com/maps/place/25.415677169455286N80.65928705005743W https://www.google.com/maps/place/25.415677169455286N80.65928705005743W

11/20/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2019-E-00433 3

Endangered Species Act Species There is a total of 46 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list.

Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species.

IPaC does not display listed species or critical habitats under the sole jurisdiction of NOAA

Fisheries , as USFWS does not have the authority to speak on behalf of NOAA and the

Department of Commerce.

See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions.

1. NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of

Commerce.

Mammals

NAME STATUS

Florida Bonneted Bat Eumops floridanus No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8630

Endangered

Florida Panther Puma (=Felis) concolor coryi No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1763

Habitat assessment guidelines:

https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/guideline/assessment/population/8/office/41420.pdf

Endangered

Puma (=mountain Lion) Puma (=Felis) concolor (all subsp. except coryi) Population: FL

No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6049

Similarity of

Appearance

(Threatened)

West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

This species is also protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and may have additional consultation requirements.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4469

Threatened https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8630 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1763 https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/guideline/assessment/population/8/office/41420.pdf https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6049 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4469

11/20/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2019-E-00433 4

Birds

NAME STATUS

Bachman's Warbler (=wood) Vermivora bachmanii No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3232

Endangered

Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location overlaps the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6584

Endangered

Everglade Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7713

Species survey guidelines:

https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/guideline/survey/population/1221/office/41420.pdf

Endangered

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum floridanus No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/32

Endangered

Florida Scrub-jay Aphelocoma coerulescens No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6174

Threatened

Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8230

Endangered

Kirtland's Warbler Setophaga kirtlandii (= Dendroica kirtlandii) No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8078

Endangered

Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Population: [Atlantic Coast and Northern Great Plains populations] - Wherever found, except those areas where listed as endangered.

There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6039

Threatened

Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1864

Threatened

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7614

Endangered

Wood Stork Mycteria americana Population: AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC

Threatened https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3232 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6584 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7713 https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/guideline/survey/population/1221/office/41420.pdf https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/32 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6174 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8230 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8078 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6039 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1864 https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7614

11/20/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2019-E-00433 5

No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8477

Habitat assessment guidelines:

https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/guideline/assessment/population/124/office/41420.pdf

Reptiles

NAME STATUS

American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/776

Similarity of

Appearance

(Threatened)

American Crocodile Crocodylus acutus Population: U.S.A. (FL)

There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6604

Threatened

Eastern Indigo Snake Drymarchon corais couperi No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/646

Threatened

Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata There…