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Section 7 Environmental Effects of the Selected Plan

EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006

7-9

indication of use by protected species since many listed species can use

Disturbed (agricultural) or Urban and Extractive habitats.

7.9.1 Florida Panther

The Florida panther may be adversely affected by the proposed placement or

construction of the reservoir and STA. While the proposed project site is located

outside the primary and secondary zone for the panther, it may utilize cover

types that occur in the project footprint. In addition, the proposed site is within

the panther dispersal zone and historic panther home range. The panther

secondary zone is adjacent to the site, and telemetry data indicates that

panthers have used adjacent areas, especially along the Miami canal. Once

construction of the reservoir is complete, panthers may be forced to travel

greater distances to cross or skirt portions of the EAA. There may be a loss of

potential ranging, resting, and foraging habitat for the panther as a result of

converting wetland, agricultural, and terrestrial areas in Compartment A to an

aquatic system. The seepage/habitat buffer, reservoir embankment, and STA

may partially compensate for the loss of ranging lands and potential habitat for

the panther within the project footprint. It is also anticipated that the project

would improve panther habitat within the WCAs with long term operation. The

USACE has determined that the project “may adversely affect” the panther. A

biological assessment on the panther is being prepared and will be coordinated

with the USFWS.

7.9.2 West Indian Manatee

As discussed in Section 2, manatees are currently able to access canals within

the EAA, including those associated with the project site and the canals slated

for expansion. Manatees have been documented in the area and have even

gained access into the STA 3/4 water control structures adjacent to

Compartment A. Manatee concerns relating to the footprint of the EAA Project

are mainly due to the operation of structures including pump stations and

spillway culverts.

As the manatees currently have access to canals within the EAA, there exists

the possibility for harm and/or mortality of manatees as a result of construction

activities associated with canal expansion, including blasting, dredging, and

watercraft activities.

Cumulative adverse impacts to the manatee could result from construction of the

Miami, North New River, Bolles, and Cross Canals as well as numerous

agricultural canals and from concurrent or future projects in the EAA.

Construction of the canals has allowed the manatee to enter a region that it did

not historically access; this, combined with the unsuitable habitat of the canals,

increases the risk of manatee mortality (USFWS, 2005). Other projects that are

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