The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today additional work that it will accomplish with funding provided in Public Law 115-123, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. The act provides nearly $17.4 billion to the Corps for disaster recovery, among other things.
The Jacksonville District received $3.348 billion today for long term recovery investments in its area of responsibility, which includes Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The funding will go towards 13 studies, and 19 construction projects that will reduce risk to communities damaged by storm events.
The Corps allocated an initial $360 million in April 2018 for Corps’ operations and maintenance priority repairs. Jacksonville District received $31.6 million to immediately address short-term repairs to seven authorized projects; some repairs have already started.
Additionally, the District received $143.6 million in work-plan funding in June 2018, and $268.9 million under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (totaling $412.5 million).
The total Federal funding allocation for Jacksonville District efforts so far exceeds $4 billion.
"We’re very grateful for the opportunity this funding will provide to make tomorrow better for so many Americans,” said Jacksonville District Commander, Col. Jason Kirk.
“This massive work effort will make a significant difference in helping protect millions of people and their communities damaged by hurricanes Maria and Irma in particular,” he said. “We have worked very closely with our non-federal sponsors, elected leaders and the state/agency leaders from Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to document storm-related damages and risks to help the Corps focus these investments,” Kirk explained.
From reducing risks to dozens of coastal communities in Florida, to massive inland flood damage reduction projects in heavily storm-damaged Puerto Rico, “these projects will contribute to the economy, put people to work, and improve the safety and quality of life for the citizens and communities we serve,” Kirk said.
The Supplemental Construction funding includes $514.2 million for Herbert Hoover Dike; this will fully fund construction through completion in 2022 with $162.4 million projected in the Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations Bill and the $100 million contributed from the State of Florida.
In addition to reducing both coastal and inland flood risks, a $16 million South Atlantic Coastal Study (SACS) will offer possible future solutions. The study will produce a framework for identifying coastal vulnerability along the entire South Atlantic coast, spanning 18,000 coastal miles, including inland, from North Carolina to the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
“The SACS is the first step toward identifying and reducing vulnerability, and achieving more storm and flood resistant communities,” said Coastal Program Manager Jaqueline Keiser. “The study will provide the foundation for future solutions that can be implemented by federal, state, local or private entities to mitigate risk associated with water-related shoreline hazards.”
The Corps of Engineers encourages the public to share and learn more about their community’s planning and water management resources, and how they can contribute to the process.
Projects are at various phases of planning, design and construction. Jacksonville District team members are evaluating each project to determine the timing for next steps on each effort.
Flood Risk Management Construction ($3.3 billion)
Florida ($802.4 million)
Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation – $514.2 million
Coastal flood risk management:
Dade County – $158 million
Flagler County – $17.5 million
Manatee County – $14.3 million
Palm Beach County - $25 million
St. John’s County – $36.8 million
St Lucie County – $20.3 million
Enhanced resiliency in federal beach projects such as dunes; natural or hardened structures:
Brevard County – $2 million
Broward County – $2 million
Duval County – $2 million
Lee County – $2 million
Nassau County – $2 million
Sarasota County – $2 million
Puerto Rico ($2.5 billion)
Rio Grande de Arecibo – $82.9 million
Rio Grande de Loiza – $250 million
Rio Guanajibo at Mayaguez – $60 million
Rio de La Plata - $500 million
Rio Nigua at Salinas – $60 million
Rio Puerto Nuevo - $1,552.4 million
Studies or Investigations ($40.4 million)
South Atlantic Coastal Study – $16 million
Florida ($13 million)
Dade County GRR – $2 million
Collier County Beach Erosion Control – $3 million
Miami Back Bay CSRM – $3 million
Monroe County CSRM – $3 million
Pinellas County Feasibility – $2 million
Puerto Rico ($10.6 million)
Puerto Rico CSRM – $3 million
Rio Grande de Manati – $1.2 million
Rio Culebrinas – $400,000
Rio Guayanilla – $3 million
San Juan Metro Area CSRM – $3 million
U.S. Virgin Islands
Savan Gut, St. Thomas – $400,000
Turpentine Run, St. Thomas – $400,000
More information on the Bipartisan Budget Act is available at: http://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/PID/Pages/cecwm_progdev.aspx.
Information on Jacksonville District’s programs and projects is available at www.saj.usace.army.mil. Also stay tuned-in for more Jacksonville District information by joining the team on social media at www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict; www.youtube.com/JaxStrong; and, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JaxStrong.
Businesses interested in working with the Corps to deliver this infrastructure can find opportunities at www.fedbizopps.gov. Professionals looking to serve with the Corps team can locate opportunities at www.usajobs.gov.
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