Combined Operational Plan (COP) 2023 Biennial Report now available

The Combined Operational Plan (COP) Water Control Plan (WCP) was implemented September 1, 2020. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Everglades National Park (ENP), and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) have published a Biennial Report as outlined in the Adaptive Management and Monitoring Plan of the COP Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The report presents operational activities since implementation of COP, as they relate to the goal and objectives, summarized by data based on the Water Quality & Hydrology Monitoring Plan and Ecological Monitoring Plan, and corresponding performance measures. The 2023 report covers a period of record (POR) from September 1, 2020, through April 30, 2022, except where noted. Changes in constraints or structures affecting relevant water management conditions as well as conditions and outcomes during emergency deviations are described. The 2023 report also summarizes whether adaptive management actions supported by the 2020 COP FEIS and defined in the 2020 WCP have been carried out during the POR covered by the report. The report is being provided by the agencies who led the planning study to the COP PDT+ as outlined in the COP FEIS.

NOTE: it may take a few minutes for these large files to load

Combined Operational Plan (COP) 2023 Biennial Report

APPENDIX A: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) CORRESPONDENCE AND TECHNICAL REPORTS COP Biennial Report 2023

APPENDIX B: S-333 OPERATIONS AFTER ACTION REPORT 

APPENDIX C : WATER CONSERVATION AREA 3 (WCA 3) PERIODIC SCIENTIST CALL (PSC) SUMMARY TABLE AND STATISTICAL PLOTS

APPENDIX D : COP BIANNUAL ASSESSMENT REPORTS (BARS) 

Info & Meetings

Combined Operational Plan (COP) Update Virtual PDT Meeting
Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/jonathanjenkins
+1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free
+1-669-234-1177 US Toll
Access code: 1993 65 6297

The Project Delivery Team (PDT) members include only the federal officials and elected officers of state, local or tribal governments or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf in their official capacities.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the PDT meeting and provide comment during the designated Public Comment periods.

INSTRUCTIONS:

*PLEASE log into the webinar first and have it call your phone in order to avoid background noise so all participants can hear the discussion clearly.


Combined Operational Plan (COP) Virtual PDT Meeting
Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

https://usace1.webex.com/meet/jonathanjenkins
+1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free
+1-669-234-1177 US Toll
Access code: 1993 65 6297

Please announce yourself when you join the PDT Meeting by signing in via the chat function with your full name and affiliation, as well as either “PDT” for Project Delivery Team members or “Public” for members of the public.

There will be designated opportunities for public comment during the PDT meeting. If you would like to provide public comment, in addition to your initial check-in, we request that you WAIT to add your name to the chat to provide public comment until the public comment period is announced, and then provide your full name and affiliation to everyone on the chat again at that time to reserve your opportunity to provide public comment. This will make it easier for everyone to track who will be next up to provide public comment.


Combined Operational Plan (COP) Implementation Virtual PDT Meeting
Friday, December 17, 2021, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

https://usace1.webex.com/meet/christyn.d.wiederhold
+1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free
+1-669-234-1177 US Toll
Access code: 199 597 3444

Please announce yourself when you join the PDT Meeting by signing in via the chat function with your full name and affiliation, as well as either “PDT” for Project Delivery Team members or “Public” for members of the public.

There will be designated opportunities for public comment during the PDT meeting. If you would like to provide public comment, in addition to your initial check-in, we request that you WAIT to add your name to the chat to provide public comment until the public comment period is announced, and then provide your full name and affiliation to everyone on the chat again at that time to reserve your opportunity to provide public comment. This will make it easier for everyone to track who will be next up to provide public comment.


Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting for Combined Operational Plan Implementation
Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Project Delivery Team (PDT) members include only the federal officials and elected officers of state, local or tribal governments or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf acting in their official capacities.

Members of the public (PUBLIC) are welcome to attend the government agency PDT meeting and provide comment during the designated Public Comment periods.

*PLEASE log into the webinar first and have it call your phone in order to avoid background noise so all participants can hear the discussion clearly.

Please mute your phone and mute your computer upon joining the meeting. All lines except those who are scheduled to speak will be muted during the meeting.

COP Implementation Virtual PDT Meeting
Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/christyn.d.wiederhold
+1-844-800-2712 US Toll Free
+1-669-234-1177 US Toll
Access code: 199 597 3444

Please announce yourself when you join the PDT Meeting by signing in via the chat function with your full name and affiliation, as well as either “PDT” for Project Delivery Team members or “Public” for members of the public.

There will be designated opportunities for public comment during the PDT meeting. If you would like to provide public comment, in addition to your initial check-in, we request that you WAIT to add your name to the chat to provide public comment until the public comment period is announced, and then provide your full name and affiliation to everyone on the chat again at that time to reserve your opportunity to provide public comment. This will make it easier for everyone to track who will be next up to provide public comment.


Final EIS published for the Combined Operational Plan (COP)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, announces publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Combined Operational Plan (COP).

The purpose of the COP is to define operations for the constructed features of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park and Canal 111 South Dade Projects, while maintaining the congressionally authorized purposes of the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project, to include flood control; water supply for agricultural irrigation, municipalities and industry; regional groundwater control and prevention of saltwater intrusion; enhancement of fish and wildlife; and recreation. The proposed action within the Final EIS would occur within the Everglades of southeastern Florida in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Please use the links below to download the Final EIS for the COP:
(note: large files may take a few minutes to download).

COP Final EIS

Appendix A: Water Control Plan

Appendix B: Coastal Zone Consistency Determination

Appendix C: Adaptive Management and Monitoring Plan

Appendix D.1: NEPA Correspondence 

Appendix D.2: ESA Compliance

Appendix D.3: NHPA Compliance

Appendix E.1: Ecological Evaluation of Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3 Alternatives

Appendix E.2: Supporting Information

Appendix F: Memorandum for Record, S-331, S-334, and S-356

Appendix G: S-197 Releases 

Appendix H, Annex 1: Modeling Strategy 

Appendix H, Annex 2: MDRSM 8.5 SMA Modeling Validation

Appendix H, Annex 3: Baseline and Alternative Modeling Assumptions

Appendix H, Annex 4: Sensitivity Runs

Appendix H, Annex 5: Modeling Results

Appendix H, Annex 6: 8.5 SMA Evaluation

Appendix H, Annex 7: Design Storms and Selection of Wet, Average, and Dry Years

Appendix H, Annex 8: Tamiami Trail Flow Formula

Appendix H, Annex 9: Climate Change Assessment for the COP

Appendix I: Socioeconomics

Appendix J: System Operating Manual

Record of Decision (ROD)


Public Comment and Public Meetings Scheduled for Combined Operational Plan (COP)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, announces two public meetings and public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Combined Operational Plan (COP). Public comments are due March 16.

The purpose of the COP is to define operations for the constructed features of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park and Canal 111 South Dade Projects, while maintaining the congressionally authorized purposes of the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project, to include flood control; water supply for agricultural irrigation, municipalities and industry; regional groundwater control and prevention of saltwater intrusion; enhancement of fish and wildlife; and recreation. The proposed action within the Draft EIS would occur within the Everglades of southeastern Florida in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

The public is invited to public meetings on the Draft EIS for the COP:

Public Meeting - Tuesday, February 18, 2020 (West Palm Beach)
6 - 8 p.m.
South Florida Water Management District
B-1 Auditorium
3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406

Public Meeting - Thursday, February 20, 2020 (Cutler Bay)
6 - 8 p.m.
Town of Cutler Bay Council Chambers
10720 Caribbean Boulevard
Cutler Bay, Florida 33189

Please submit public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Combined Operational Plan (COP) to Melissa.A.Nasuti@usace.army.mil by March 16, 2020. All comments should include “COP Draft EIS Comments” in the subject line.

Comments may also be submitted by March 16 to:
Melissa Nasuti
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville District
P.O. Box 4970
Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019

A copy of the report is also available at the following libraries:

Miami-Dade Public Library
Main Branch
101 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130

Miami-Dade Public Library
Homestead Branch
700 N Homestead Blvd.
Homestead, FL 33030

Broward County Public Library
Main Branch
100 S Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Broward County Public Library
Southwest Regional Library
16835 Sheridan Street
Pembroke Pines, FL 33331


Increment 3 – COP PDT Meeting — June 21, 2019, 9:00 –11:30 am Eastern time

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be holding a Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park and C-111 South Dade projects Combined Operational Plan (COP) Project Delivery Team (PDT) meeting Friday, June 21st from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.  The meeting will be a teleconference and Web meeting:

USA Toll-Free: (877) 848-7030 Access Code: 3753824 Security Code: 1234

Web Meeting Address: https://usace.webex.com/join/donna.s.george/  Meeting Number: 965 727 775

The purpose of the meeting is to present the Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) for the Combined Operational Plan (COP) for discussion and comment. The meeting will also include a recap from the Ecological sub team and an update from the Operations and Adaptive Management teams. Comments from the PDT on the PPA will be needed by COB July 1st. The agenda will be available here shortly.

PDT meetings enable federal, state and local agencies and tribal governments to provide their input into the Combined Operational Plan. Members of the public may attend or call in to the PDT meeting and provide public comment during the public comment portion of the meeting.


Preliminary modeling data available online for Combined Operational Plan - April 23, 2018

Preliminary modeling data is now available online as part of ongoing efforts to develop the Combined Operational Plan (COP), which will serve as the integrated water operations plan for the southern Everglades ecosystem.

 

Modeling data for the 2019 Existing Condition Baseline (2019 ECB) with the Regional Simulation Model for the Everglades and the Lower East Coast (RSM-GL) are available online at: ftp://ftp.sfwmd.gov/pub/fkhatun/COP/RSMGL/ECB2019/

 

Once the first round of modeling for the alternatives is completed, the alternative results will include comparisons against this 2019 Existing Baseline data. The project team is releasing this modeling data in advance of completing alternative modeling, scheduled to be completed this summer, to allow time for the Project Delivery Team (PDT) to become familiar with the base conditions.

 

Additionally, an overview of the modeling results will be provided at the next Project Delivery Team (PDT) meeting scheduled for May 15, 2018.


G-3273 and S-356 Pump Station Field Test, Increment 2 Field Test - Feb. 21, 2018

The Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Modified Water Deliveries project Increment 2 Field Test ** is now available. The FONSI has been signed. 

**Select Dade County and scroll down to the bottom of the table to find links to project documents. Please note: large files may take several minutes to download.


Combined Operational Plan NEPA Scoping Comments

A National Environmental Policy Act scoping letter dated Sept. 22, 2017, invited comments from Federal, State and local agencies, affected Indian Tribes and other interested private organizations and individuals on the Combined Operation Plan (COP). Comments were accepted through Oct. 21, 2017. A Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for COP was published in the Federal Register (FR Volume 82, Number 173) Sept. 8, 2017. This COP NEPA Scoping comments matrix has been prepared in response to the scoping letter.


Public and agency comments accepted on Combined Operational Plan (COP) - September 25, 2017

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began preparation of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assessment for the Combined Operational Plan in September 2017. Public and agency comments were accepted through October 21, 2017.

The COP will serve as the integrated water operations plan for the southern Everglades ecosystem.  It will define operations for the constructed features of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park and C-111 South Dade Projects, while maintaining the congressionally authorized purposes of the Central and Southern Florida Project. These authorized purposes include flood control; water supply for agricultural irrigation, municipalities and industry; regional groundwater control and prevention of saltwater intrusion; enhancement of fish and wildlife; and recreation.  Data collected during the incremental water operations field test, known as the G-3273 and S-356 Pump Station Field Test, will be used during the development of the COP.

View the Scoping Letter: http://cdm16021.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/4875.

Comments were accepted through October 21, 2017.


Revised operational strategy approved for next increment of field test - February 2017

The revised operational strategy has been approved to move forward with implementing the next increment of the Modified Water Deliveries field test, known as Increment 1 Plus (Increment 1.1/1.2).

Under this next increment, operational modifications will be implemented to incorporate lessons learned from the state-requested temporary emergency deviation and to incorporate new requirements under the Everglades Restoration Transition Plan’s Biological Opinion.

These modifications include incorporating mandated terms and conditions issued in the Everglades Restoration Transition Plan’s July 2016 Biological Opinion, continuing to ensure flood mitigation within the 8.5 Square Mile Area, and maintaining pre-existing flood protection along the L-31N and C-111 canals while the Corps works to complete construction on the C-111 South Dade and Modified Water Deliveries projects. Additional operational flexibility is also included within the revised operational strategy to operate the L-29 Canal to a maximum of 7.8 feet, subject to downstream constraints. t is anticipated that these operational modifications included under Increment 1.1 will be implemented by March 1, 2017. Comments were accepted on the Revised Operational Strategy, along with the corresponding approved Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Increment 1.1/1.2 through January 22, 2017.


Environmental Assessment & Finding of No Significant Impact - April 2015 

The Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the first increment of the G-3273 and S-356 Pump Station Field Test are now available online. The first increment of the G-3273 and S-356 pump station field test will evaluate the raising or removing of the G-3273 constraint of 6.8 feet and holding the L-29 Canal stage at 7.5 feet to enable increased water deliveries to Everglades National Park. This is the first step in the incremental approach to develop the final operating plan for the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park and C-111 South Dade projects. The EA and Draft FONSI were available for public and agency review through April 5, 2015.  Comments received during this 60-day comment period were taken into consideration as the report was finalized.

G-3273 and S-356 Pump Station Field Test

Blue Heron in EvergladesThe G-3273 and S-356 Pump Station Field Test is an incremental field test that will be used to evaluate how additional water will ultimately be sent south to Everglades National Park through the Modified Water Deliveries (Mod Waters) and C-111 South Dade projects. The data collected from the field test will be used to develop the final operating plan for the southern Everglades ecosystem, called the Combined Operational Plan.

Read more about the field test in the G-3273 Field Test Fact Sheet.

PDT Meetings (ARCHIVE)

PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM MEETINGS

Project Delivery Team (PDT) meetings enable federal, state, and local agencies and tribal governments to provide their input into the G-3273 and S-356 Pump Station Field Test. Members of the public may attend PDT meetings and provide public comment both during and at the end of the meeting.


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May 21, 2019

No documents.

 

March 18, 2019

 February 20, 2019
 December 12, 2018
 December 7, 2018
Cancelled.
 November 9, 2018
 August 29, 2018
 August 14, 2018

Meeting Documents:

  • Agenda
 August 8, 2018

Meeting Documents:

 July 11, 2018
 June 13, 2018
 May 15, 2018

Meeting Documents:

 November 13, 2017

Meeting Documents:

 August 21, 2017

Meeting Documents:

Supplemental Meeting Documents

 June 21, 2017
 May 15, 2017
 January 25, 2017
 August 30, 2016
 January 27, 2016
 June 30, 2015

Meeting Documents:

 December 9, 2014
 October 15, 2014
 September 3, 2014
 July 16, 2014

Point of Contact

Corps Project Manager
904-232-1779

Project Manager
Department of the Interior

305-224-4254  
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