Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) - Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir

CEPP EAA Reservoir aerial map
The overarching goal of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) is to improve the quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of water flows to the central Everglades, Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA-3) and Everglades National Park (ENP).

The purpose of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Phase is to construct a 240,000 acre-foot EAA reservoir and 6,500 acre-foot stormwater treatment area, and integrate with A-1 FEB operations.

All features for the reservoir are under design. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) design of the Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) features is nearing completion and construction started in Fiscal Year 2021.

CEPP EAA Flow Routing Diagram

EAA Phase History:

  • Authorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2018, Section 1308
  • Reauthorized in WRDA 2020 as a modification of CEPP
  • Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) executed 29 April 2021
  • South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) design and construction initiated 20 April 2020
  • USACE construction contract award September Pre-Partnership Credit Agreement 2021

The EAA Section 1308 report serves as the Validation Report for CEPP EAA and was completed in April 2021. The Pre-Partnership Credit Agreement (PPCA) for EAA was executed 29 May 29, 2020 and a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) was executed 29 April 29, 2021. Construction of the A-2 Stormwater Treatment Area and associated Inflow/Outflow and Seepage Canals was initiated by the local sponsor, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) in Fiscal Year 2021. Design of the A-2 Reservoir Inflow/Outflow and Seepage Canals will be complete in Fiscal Year 2021; construction will begin in Fiscal Year 2022. Design for a portion of the A-2 Reservoir and Pumping Station will be complete in Fiscal Year 22; construction is expected to begin in Fiscal Year 2023. The remaining reservoir components will be awarded in Fiscal Year 2023 for construction from Fiscal Year 2024 through Fiscal Year 2029.

  • Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Features
  • A-2 Reservoir: 10,500 acres with 240,000 acre-foot storage at about 23 feet deep
  • A-2 Stormwater Treatment Area (STA): 6,500 acres
  • Adds 160,000 to CEPP’s 210,000 for a total of 370,000 average annual acre-feet of new water flowing through to the central Everglades

The CEPP Post Authorization Change Report (PACR) was prepared by the SFWMD and submitted to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, the ASA(CW), for review and determination of feasibility under authority granted by Section 203 of the WRDA of 1986, as amended. ASA (CW) submitted a report to Congress confirming feasibility and serving as the basis for Congressional authorization. Subsequently, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA )18, Section 1308, authorized the EAA project as recommended in the addendum of the CEPP PACR, subject to certain requirements in Section 1308(b), and in accordance with Section 601 of WRDA 2000. The ASA(CW) provided interim guidance on how to develop the report required under Section 1308(b) through "Interim Guidance for Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Central and Southern Florida, Everglades Agricultural Area, Florida" dated October 26, 2018. The Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area Project WRDA 2018 Section 1308(b) Report is complete and was transmitted to Congress on October 21, 2020.

Central Everglades Planning Project

decorative image: CEPP posterThe goal of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) is to deliver a finalized plan, known as a Project Implementation Report (PIR), for a suite of restoration projects in the central Everglades to prepare for congressional authorization, as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The Central Everglades Planning Project will identify and plan for projects on land already in public ownership to allow more water to be directed south to the central Everglades, Everglades National Park, and Florida Bay. Public participation is a major component of this planning effort. The South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force’s Working Group sponsored a number of public workshops to receive input from the public, and keep them informed and engaged as active participants.

BACKGROUND

In October 2011, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), the Secretary of the Interior, the Governor of Florida, the Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District, and other senior principals agreed to initiate the planning effort of the CERP Central Everglades components. Due to the desire to expeditiously complete the study, the Central Everglades Planning Project is part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ National Pilot Program for Feasibility Studies.

CEPP incorporates updated science and technical information gained over the last decade to identify a recommended plan and prepare a PIR for congressional authorization of the next generation of CERP projects. The pilot planning study process uses clearly defined decision points to make the process more predictable and more efficient, while reducing the current planning study process timeline.

This study will develop the next increment of project components that focus restoration on more natural flows into and through the central and southern Everglades, restoring more natural water flow, depth, and durations into and within the Central Everglades by:

  • Increasing storage, treatment and conveyance of water south of Lake Okeechobee.
  • Removing canals and levees within the central Everglades.
  • Retaining water within Everglades National Park and protect urban and agricultural areas to the east from flooding.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is leading this planning effort in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The SFWMD is fully integrated in the technical planning process and is leading modeling efforts for the study.

Project Status

Record of Decision Signed - Aug. 31, 2015

On Aug. 31, 2015, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy signed the Record of Decision for the Central Everglades Planning Project, signifying the completion of the final administrative review for the ecosystem restoration project’s report. With administrative review now complete, the report will be transmitted to Congress for authorization and subsequent appropriations.


Chief of Engineer's Report Signed - Dec. 23, 2014

On Dec. 23, 2014, the Chief of Engineer’s Report, or Chief’s Report, for CEPP was signed by Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, USACE Commander and Chief of Engineers. The CEPP report will undergo additional review by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and the Office of Management & Budget. It will be formally transmitted to Congress upon completion of those reviews. The Corps prepared the CEPP planning document using a pilot process designed to reduce the overall time allocated for a study of this magnitude. In prior years, plan formulation and review may have taken six years or longer. The CEPP process was completed in half that time.

Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

904-232-1779

Project Manager
South Florida Water Management District

561-714-6718