Where is the Tarmac King Road Limestone Mine?

The mine is on approximately 4800 acres in unincorporated Levy County near Lebanon Station, approximately one mile west of US Highway 19 and 5 miles north of the town of Inlglis.

What role does the Corps play in the Tarmac King Road process?

The Corps is one of several governmental entities involved in permitting activities in the Tarmac King Road mine, and it is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in coordination with other federal, state, regional, and local agencies.

The Corps is a permitting agency. It is neither a proponent nor an opponent of the proposed action.

The Corps ensures that a permitted action is not contrary to the public interest by balancing the rights of property owners with the need to protect the natural resources of the region.

The final permitting decision will balance restoration goals, public concerns and private property rights.

What is the purpose of the Tarmac King Road EIS?

The purpose of the EIS is to evaluate reasonable alternatives to obtain construction grade limestone and other limestone products to meet the approved project purpose and need. Alternatives will be determined through scoping, a public input process, and are expected to include the following: a ''no action'' alternative; rock mining in other areas both inside and outside of Southern Levy County and/or Florida.

What is an EIS?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires all federal agencies to prepare an EIS for major federal actions that could have significant impacts on the environment. Under NEPA, 'environment' includes the natural and physical environment (such as air, water, wildlife, geology) as well as people's relationship with the environment (such as health, safety, jobs, housing, and aesthetics). In general, agencies prepare supplements to either draft or final environmental impact statements when there is a substantial change in the proposed action or there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts.

How does the NEPA EIS process work?

An EIS is prepared in a series of steps: gathering public and government comments to define the issues that should be analyzed (scoping); preparing the Draft EIS; receiving and responding to pubic comments on the Draft; preparing the Final EIS. No decisions are made in an EIS; rather, it serves as one of several factors decision makers consider. The decision is announced in a Record of Decision after the final EIS has been published.

Scoping begins with publication in the Federal Register of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to let the public know that it is considering an action and will prepare an EIS. The NOI announces the scoping period during which the public can provide comments on the proposed action, issues, alternatives, and impacts to be analyzed in the EIS. Scoping may include public meetings and other means of obtaining comments.

The Draft EIS presents, analyzes, and compares the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives and their implementation. It also provides information on methodologies and assumptions used in the analyses. The document is made available for public review and comment. Comments are considered in preparation of the Final EIS.

When the public comment on the Draft is completed, a final EIS is prepared and distributed. Public comments are reflected in the Final EIS, and issues raised in comments along with agency responses are included in the EIS or in an accompanying document.

Following a minimum 30-day waiting period after the Final EIS is published, a Record of Decision is issued.

Did the Corps consider buying the land instead of permitting the companies to mine it?

The Corps does not have the authority under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to undertake land acquisition.

Will the possible effect of mining on wildlife habitat be considered?

Yes, and the result could be conditions placed on permits -- if they are granted -- to ensure no net loss of wetland functions and values, including wildlife habitats. As a condition of Corps permits, periodic evaluations of restoration activities could also be required.

Will the impact of rock mining on the drinking water supply be considered?

Yes, it will.

Will other alternatives or other sources of rock be considered?

Yes, the EIS will consider alternative sources of rock including other state mines or sources outside the state.

When does the scoping period begin?

The scoping period began February 19, 2008 and will continue until April 26, 2008.