May 2023
FACT SHEET
Miami-Dade Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study, FL
Investigations (I)
Congressional Districts: 24, 26, 27, 28
1. DESCRIPTION
The study authority for the Miami-Dade Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study is Public Law 84-71, June 15, 1955, which authorizes an examination and survey of the coastal and tidal areas of the eastern and southern United States, with particular reference to areas where severe damages have occurred from hurricane winds and tides. The purpose of the project is to reduce economic damages associated with coastal storms and improve human safety and coastal resiliency in the Miami-Dade County Back Bay. The Recommended Plan (RP) includes a combination of structural (such as surge barriers and floodwalls), non-structural (such as flood proofing, relocation, and elevation of structures) and natural and nature-based features (such as mangrove plantings). The project is funded under P.L. 115-123: Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2018, Supplemental. It is brokered to Norfolk District (NAO), who manages the project to include the funding and financial data.
2. FUNDING
a. P.L. 115-123: Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2018, Supplemental:
| Current Working Estimate |
$3,000,000 |
| Allocation thru FY22 |
$1,000 |
| Allocation for FY23 |
$0 |
.
3. SPONSOR
Miami Dade County
111 N.W. 1st Street
Miami, FL 33128
4. STATUS
On August 24, 2021, Miami-Dade County (MDC) requested additional time to evaluate an additional alternative that would have more local support and include features in alignment with priorities within MDC including the consideration of additional natural and nature-based features (NNBF). In August 2022, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW)) approved an exemption request, submitted in accordance with Section 1001 of the Water Resources Reform Development Act of 2014, for time and funding for an additional 5 years and $8.2 million. The Project Delivery Team (PDT) and MDC have conducted public meetings and two charrettes, with the last being in March 2023. The two alternatives for consideration include a non-structural alternative and an Atlantic Barrier alternative. Both alternatives include NNBF. The PDT and MDC will work to incorporate comments from the charrette to refine the alternatives, develop high level costs and benefits, coordinate with resource agencies and stakeholders, and develop a scope and schedule to complete a feasibility study to include environmental compliance. A meeting will be scheduled with ASA(CW) in August 2023 to evaluate the status of the additional alternative(s) and updated scope/schedule prior to formally reinitiating the feasibility study.
