Environmental report on proposed dike repairs available for review

Published Dec. 24, 2015
A worker directs a "hydro-mill" into position while installing a partial cutoff wall in the Herbert Hoover Dike.  The cutoff wall was installed in 21.4 miles of the dike from 2007-2013 to help reduce seepage through the earthen dam as part of a major rehabilitation project.

A worker directs a "hydro-mill" into position while installing a partial cutoff wall in the Herbert Hoover Dike. The cutoff wall was installed in 21.4 miles of the dike from 2007-2013 to help reduce seepage through the earthen dam as part of a major rehabilitation project.

A finished culvert constructed in the Herbert Hoover Dike along the east side of the dam near Port Mayaca. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to replace 26 such structures as part of its rehabilitation of the 143-mile dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee in south Florida.

A finished culvert constructed in the Herbert Hoover Dike along the east side of the dam near Port Mayaca. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to replace 26 such structures as part of its rehabilitation of the 143-mile dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee in south Florida.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District has released a draft environmental report for public review on its proposal for additional embankment repairs on Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee.

The report, known as Herbert Hoover Dike Dam Safety Modification Study Draft Environmental Impact Statement focuses on a tentatively selected plan to extend embankment repairs over 28 miles on the south and west sides of the structure.  The document is available for a 60-day review, with comments accepted until Feb. 23. 

“This document contains the summary findings of our three-year dam safety modification study,” said Tim Willadsen, Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation project manager.  “If approved, this plan will serve as our guiding document for the remainder of the rehabilitation work that we plan on the dike.”

The proposed repairs include installing 24 miles of seepage barrier, commonly known as a partial cutoff wall from Moore Haven to Lake Harbor.  The Corps proposes installing an additional four miles of cutoff wall near Lakeport.  Engineers also recommend armoring the embankment around the State Route 78 bridge near the Harney Pond Canal and installing floodwall near water control structures on the Harney Pond and Indian Prairie Canals.

The draft documents are available for viewing at the following website: http://bit.ly/1NEh0UV.  Physical copies of the documents are available at these locations:

Glades County Library
201 Riverside Drive
Moore Haven, FL   

Hendry County Barron Library
461 North Main Street
LaBelle, FL 
 
Hendry County Harry T Vaughn Library
120 West Osceola Avenue
Clewiston, FL 

Martin County Elisabeth Lahti Library
15200 SW Adams Avenue
Indiantown, FL
 
Martin County Blake Library
2351 SE Monterey Road
Stuart, FL 

Okeechobee County Public Library
206 SW 16th Street
Okeechobee, FL

Palm Beach County Library
Main Branch
3650 Summit Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 

Palm Beach County Library
Belle Glade Branch
725 NW 4th Street
Belle Glade, FL
 
Palm Beach County Library
Loula V. York Branch
525 Bacom Point Road
Pahokee, FL 

Palm Beach County Library
Clarence E. Anthony Branch
375 SW 2nd Avenue
South Bay, FL

The Corps will accept comments through Feb. 23, 2016 through its Environmental Branch at the Corps’ Jacksonville District office:

Forward email comments to HHDEnvironment@usace.army.mil.

Forward written comments to the following mailing address:

Stacie Auvenshine
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District
P.O. Box 4970
Jacksonville, FL  32232-0019

For more information on the Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation project, please visit the Jacksonville District website at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LakeOkeechobee/HerbertHooverDike.aspx.

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Contact
John Campbell
904-232-1004
john.h.campbell@usace.army.mil

Release no. 15-107