Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Acquisition of Land Currently Owned by Florida Power and Light Company in Everglades National Park, Florida

摘要

In June 2009, the National Park Service (NPS) initiated public scoping for an environmental assessment (EA) that was being prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, to evaluate the environmental impacts of a potential land acquisition or exchange between NPS and Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) in Everglades National Park (Park). The NPS decision to be made at the conclusion of the process was to have been whether to exchange NPS lands for FPL's lands within the boundary of the Park or to acquire FPL's lands by purchase or eminent domain. After careful consideration of the issues and analysis developed during the EA process, the NPS has determined that there is potential for significant impacts to the human environment from this decision, and NPS therefore intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS). This notice initiates the public scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues regarding the potential land acquisition or land exchange in the Park.