Posted on December 5, 2024
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Dec. 4, 2024) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District announces a 30-day public National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping comment period for the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Flood Resiliency Study (Section 203) – Broward Basins, being conducted by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Official NEPA scoping letters will be sent out to agencies and Tribes and published on the project webpage. Comments will be due 30 days from the date of those letters.
USACE Jacksonville District is beginning preparation of a NEPA document for the C&SF Flood Resiliency Section 203 Study – Broward Basins conducted by the non-federal interest, SFWMD. The SFWMD is beginning preparation of a feasibility study pursuant to Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, as amended, for submission to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW)). USACE intends to support the ASA(CW) review of the SFWMD’s study by preparing a NEPA assessment concurrent with the SFWMD feasibility study prior to the ASA(CW)’s review.
The purpose of this study is to develop, evaluate and recommend flood risk management measures and adaptation strategies that provide flood resiliency in vulnerable areas served by the C&SF system, now and in the future. The objective of this study is to enhance the C&SF system water control structures by improving functionality and capacity to reduce flood damages and improve resiliency caused by flood inundation and changed conditions within Broward County over a 50-year period of analysis from 2035-2085.
The purpose of the associated NEPA document is to complete the federal compliance requirements related to the Section 203 study for use by the non-federal interest in completing the Section 203 Report. USACE is currently gathering information to define issues and concerns that will be addressed in an analysis to be prepared in compliance with the NEPA.
Through this process, USACE and SFWMD will explore opportunities for enhancing the C&SF System to provide continued and improved flood risk management to reduce the most immediate risks resulting from land development and climate change, including sea level rise, in Broward County. The study area is approximately 420 square miles and lies within eastern portions of Broward County. The study area consists of nine watershed basins with a network of nine primary canals and rivers managed by eight main water control structures, and other non-managed watersheds downstream of each water control structure.
USACE welcomes your scoping comments, views, and information about environmental and cultural resources, study objectives, and important features within the described project area.
There will be an opportunity to participate in public NEPA scoping meetings on December 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. (Room 430). and again from 6 to 8 p.m. (Room 301). at the Broward County Governmental Center 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 430, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Meeting participants can also access the meeting via Zoom at:
Zoom Registration Link for the 2 p.m. Meeting
