CERP Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project (C)

May 2023

FACT SHEET

COMPREHENSIVE EVERGLADES RESTORATION PLAN
Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project

Construction (C)
Congressional Districts: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 

1. DESCRIPTION

The Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project (LRWRP), formerly known as the North Palm Beach County–Part 1 feasibility study, was authorized by Section 601(b)(1)(A) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2000. The project includes approximately 750 square miles located within both Martin and Palm Beach Counties. The Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project (LRWRP) will restore and sustain the overall quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of fresh waters to the federally designated “National Wild and Scenic” Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River. The project seeks to restore, sustain, and reconnect the area’s wetlands that form the historic headwaters for the river and northeastern Everglades.

The watershed is home to 83 state and federally listed plants and animals (33 federally threatened and endangered species, 20 federally protected migratory bird species, and an additional 30 state species of concern). The Loxahatchee River ecosystem represents one of several unique and endangered sloughs once connected to the Greater Everglades ecosystem. It has the same unique ridge and slough landscape and tree islands characteristics and unique mix of species that supported designating the Everglades as a World Heritage Site. The Loxahatchee Slough is the last remaining riverine cypress area in Southeast Florida.

2. FUNDING

Estimated Total Cost $1,026,000,000
Estimated Federal Cost $513,000,000
Allocation thru FY22 $10,827,000
Allocation for FY23 $1,500,00
President’s Budget FY24   $1,000,000

 

3. SPONSOR

South Florida Water Management District
3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406

4. STATUS

LRWRP was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 Section 401 as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. A Draft Integral Determination Report (IDR) is in progress for a determination, as required by Section 601(e)(5)(B) of Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2000, as amended by Section 6004 of WRDA 2007, that the In-kind Work requested to be performed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is integral to the project. A Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) is scheduled for execution in FY24. South Florida Water Management District is the non-federal sponsor and initiated design efforts in FY22 with work beginning on components in Flow-ways 2 and 3.

 

 click for full-size map of project area