Well as it turns out, just avoiding the problem did not solve it.
The PIC16F685 does not provide the SSP hardware I'll be needing now so more searching found Darrel's guidance (thanks again Darrel!) http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=12424
So comparing both INC files shows that the PIC16F677 was missing the EEPGD in the BANK 3 Register:

portion of PIC16F685 INC file:
Code:
;----- BANK 3 REGISTER DEFINITIONS ----------------------------------------
;----- EECON1 -------------------------------------------------------------

EEPGD                        EQU     H'0007'
WRERR                        EQU     H'0003'
WREN                         EQU     H'0002'
WR                           EQU     H'0001'
RD                           EQU     H'0000'
same section of PIC16F677 INC file:
Code:
;----- BANK 3 REGISTER DEFINITIONS ----------------------------------------
;----- EECON1 -------------------------------------------------------------

WRERR                        EQU     H'0003'
WREN                         EQU     H'0002'
WR                           EQU     H'0001'
RD                           EQU     H'0000'
Updated to:

Code:
;----- BANK 3 REGISTER DEFINITIONS ----------------------------------------
;----- EECON1 -------------------------------------------------------------

EEPGD                        EQU     H'0007' ; Added 11/8/2010
WRERR                        EQU     H'0003'
WREN                         EQU     H'0002'
WR                           EQU     H'0001'
RD                           EQU     H'0000'
Compiled without errors and I can now use the EEPROM in the PIC16F677!

A big Thank You! to all who contribute their expertise and time to help others along.