Posted on September 16, 2024
JACKSONVILLE, Fla – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General and 55th Chief of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon signed the Chief’s Report Sept. 11, 2024, for the Jacksonville District’s Western Everglades Restoration Plan (WERP) in a ceremony at USACE Headquarters in Washington, D.C. today.
The purpose of the WERP, a component of the Central Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), is to improve the quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of water needed to restore and reconnect the western Everglades ecosystem. WERP will reestablish ecological connectivity from the northwest portion of the study area, across the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Big Cypress Reservation (SBCR) and into Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP), while maintaining flood protection and ensuring that inflows meet applicable water quality standards. The proposed action is located within Hendry, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Collier counties, Florida.
“I commend the Jacksonville District’s Western Everglades Restoration project delivery team for their steadfast dedication in collaborating with our partners and stakeholders on this critical study and delivering their final report for the Chief; this is a great accomplishment,” said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Commander, Col. Brandon Bowman.
The Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project constructed canals and levees for flood control and other purposes. These features altered the natural flow of water across the landscape. The canals are very efficient at draining the landscape and can have effects on the groundwater levels for 2-3 miles in the dry season.
These flood control features drained and redirected water flow away from many wetlands in the western Everglades area, including portions of reservations of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, Water Conservation Area 3A, the Big Cypress National Preserve, and Everglades National Park.
The Chief’s Report details USACE’s tentatively selected plan (TSP), known as Alternative Hybrid Natural Flow Revised (ALTHNFR). The plan would achieve the project benefits by re-distributing water to several major remnant flow ways that lie directly south and southeast of the Wingate Mill and West Feeder canals, including Kissimmee Billy Strand and Cowbell Strand.
“This was truly a collaborative effort between our USACE project delivery team, the South Florida Water Management District, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Interior and the National Park Service,” said Stephen Baisden, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Western Everglades Restoration Project Manager.
The improved water flow from this project is expected to provide a direct benefit of improved habitat for a variety of threatened and endangered species– Florida Panther, Wood Stork, Crested Caracara, and the Indigo Snake) – as well as indirect benefits for the regional economy (recreation and tourism activities).
“Collectively we set our minds and will to reach this significant milestone,” said Baisden. “WERP will restore water flows and depths, increase connectivity between wetland areas, and reduce the frequency and intensity of wildfires.”
The plan is supported by our sponsor the South Florida Water Management District, Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, Everglades National Park, and many non-governmental organizations.
With the signing of the Chief’s Report, the study’s recommended plan will begin the process of federal review and congressional consideration for inclusion in future Water Resources Development Act legislation to fund implementation. The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District on the district’s website at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JaxStrong.
To learn more about the project, visit https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/werp/
