Posted on June 17, 2026
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, has signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) North Phase S-620 Gated Culvert Interim Operations in Palm Beach County, Florida.
The decision supports a request by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), pursuant to Section 408, to begin interim operations of the S-620 Gated Culvert, a key component of the CEPP North Phase designed to improve water distribution and support restoration of the Greater Everglades ecosystem. Additional information about the Section 408 process is available at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/408/.
The CEPP is a cornerstone project within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the largest ecosystem restoration effort in the world. The interim operations plan will provide additional flexibility to move water from the L-6 Canal to the L-5 Canal when conditions are environmentally beneficial, helping restore more natural hydrologic conditions in portions of Water Conservation Area 3A.
The USACE evaluated the proposed action through an Environmental Assessment conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The assessment analyzed potential effects on natural resources, water management operations, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, water quality, recreation, socioeconomic conditions, and other environmental factors.
Following completion of the analysis and coordination with federal, state, tribal, and local partners, USACE determined the proposed interim operations will not result in significant adverse impacts to the human environment. As a result, preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.
Under the approved interim operations plan, the S-620 structure will only operate under specific hydrologic conditions and will not convey Stormwater Treatment Area 2 discharges directly into Water Conservation Area 3A. The operations are designed to provide ecological benefits, including supporting hydrologic restoration in northern Water Conservation Area 3A, improving habitat conditions for fish and wildlife, and providing beneficial flows to the Alley North Rookery, an important wading bird nesting area. When conditions enable interim operation of the S-620, SFWMD will provide an update on the current and forecasted status of S-620 operations and corresponding downstream operations during the C&SF Water Management Agency Input and Data Collection biweekly coordination meetings for the southern region of the C&SF system.
As part of the environmental review process, USACE coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which concurred with the determination that the proposed action is not likely to adversely affect federally listed species. USACE also completed consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and determined that historic properties would not be adversely affected.
The State of Florida concurred that the proposed action is consistent with state water quality standards and Florida’s Coastal Management Program.
The decision represents another step forward in advancing restoration goals under CERP while construction of additional CEPP North Phase features continues.
The EA and signed FONSI are available on the Jacksonville District’s Environmental Planning website under Palm Beach County: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/EnvironmentalBranch/Environmental-Documents/
(On the above page, click on the “+” next to “Palm Beach.” Then scroll down to the project name)
Additional information regarding the CEPP North Phase project is available at www.saj.usace.army.mil.
