The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, is accepting comments on the Draft Integrated Project Implementation Report (PIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project. The comment period ends May 6.
The Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project aims to restore and sustain the overall quantity, quality, timing and distribution of freshwater to the federally designated National Wild and Scenic Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River (NWFLR) for current and future generations and to provide flows to enhance hydroperiods in the Loxahatchee Slough; increase connectivity of hydrology, flora, and fauna between natural areas; and improve seasonal timing and distribution of freshwater to improve hydropatterns in drained areas throughout the historic headwaters of the river. The Corps is proposing a restoration plan that includes a surface storage reservoir, aquifer storage and recovery wells, and other structures to capture and store water that is currently lost to tide. Captured water will be redistributed to increase volume and improve timing of freshwater deliveries to the river.
The draft report is available at: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16021coll7/id/10265
Those interested in submitting comments may do so electronically at: LoxRiverComments@usace.army.mil
Written comments can be mailed to:
Dr. Ann Hodgson
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019
A public meeting will be announced at a later date to provide interested parties the opportunity to submit their comments on the study.
For additional information on the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project, visit: https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Ecosystem-Restoration/Loxahatchee-River-Watershed-Restoration-Project/
Release no. UNRELEASED