C-4_USFWS_Letter_for_Permit.pdf

This document is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) letter dated February 11, 2019, addressing a permit application from Brevard County for the Muck Removal - Eau Gallie Area project. The project involves hydraulically dredging up to 812,650 cubic yards of organic rich fine-grained sediment from approximately 241 acres of the Indian River Lagoon. The primary objectives are to improve water quality and benthic habitat by exposing underlying sediments. The dredging will occur in four areas adjacent to the Eau Gallie River, with final depths varying from approximately -4 feet to a maximum of -21 feet in localized depressions. Dredged material will be transported via a 6.8-mile pipeline to an upland Dredged Material Management Area (DMMA).

The document includes an environmental review assessing potential impacts on federally-listed species, including the eastern indigo snake, wood stork, Atlantic salt marsh snake, and West Indian manatee. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers evaluated the project and determined it is "not likely to adversely affect" these species, with specific considerations for each. The Corps applied various effect determination keys and concluded that with adherence to standard protection measures, the project would not significantly impact the listed species' habitats. The letter serves as a consultation document under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and indicates that no further action is required unless project modifications occur or additional information about listed species becomes available.