April 2022
FACT SHEET
COMPREHENSIVE EVERGLADES RESTORATION PLAN
Western Everglades Restoration Project
Construction (C)
Congressional Districts: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26
1. DESCRIPTION
The Western Everglades Restoration Project is a component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, which was authorized under the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2000. The study area covers approximately 1,200 square miles. If the project is authorized, it will improve the quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of water in the western Everglades. This project will reestablish sheet flow across the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and into Big Cypress National Preserve, maintain existing levels of flood protection and ensure that inflows to the North and West Feeder canals meet applicable water quality standards.
2. FUNDING
| Estimated Total Cost |
$11,500,000 |
| Estimated Federal Cost |
$8,200,000 |
a. Regular Civil Works funds:
| Allocation thru FY21 |
$5,490,000 |
| Allocation for FY22 |
$0 |
| President’s Budget FY23 |
$0 |
b. P.L. 117-58: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Supplemental:
| Total Work Plan |
$2,363,736 |
| Allocation for FY22 |
$150,000 |
3. SPONSOR
South Florida Water Management District
3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406
4. STATUS
The project was initiated in August 2016 under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) new SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Risk Informed, and Timely) planning paradigm. The Alternatives Milestone Meeting was completed in November 2016. The large study area, which includes two Native American reservations, has presented challenges with real estate acquisition and water quality. As the Tentative Plan took shape, SFWMD, stakeholders, and the Tribal Nations raised strong objections, which resulted in the study’s suspension for 9 months. The SFWMD, stakeholders, and Tribal Nations have expressed their support for completing the study and it is moving forward with identification of a Tentatively Selected Plan. A second SMART Planning Waiver Exception was approved 24 Jan 2022 by the Assistant Secretary of the Army, for an additional 23 months and $4.5M. The study restarted 31 Jan 2022. The Tentatively Selected Plan is scheduled for 22 Aug 2022 and the Chief’s Report 30 Nov 2023.
