U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publishes Finding of No Significant Impact for Canal 111 (C-111) South Dade - Project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District announces the publication of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Canal 111 (C-111) South Dade - Project, which addresses the Replacement of Interim Pump Stations S-332B and S-332C and evaluated alternatives for pump reliability and vulnerability to storm damage while simultaneously serving ecological goals and opportunities while avoiding constraints in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

USACE conducted an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, for the construction of permanent pump stations S-332B and S-332C to the South Detention Area (SDA). The EA evaluated various alternatives that would support the replacement of two temporary pump stations that were constructed under the 1996 project authorization and in response to the 1999 Jeopardy Biological Opinion on the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS).

The recommended plan identified in the 2020 Final GRR/EA was Alternative 3 - Short Concrete Channel alternative. Based on new seepage modeling conducted since completion of the 2020 Final GRR/EA, the 2025 C-111 Project Replacement of Current Pump Stations S-332B and S-332C Validation Report is being completed and recommends implementation of Alternative 2 from the 2020 Final GRR/EA, the Extended Concrete Channel. The updated action includes:

• A construction footprint of approximately 44 acres that includes the following features: a new concrete lined discharge channel that will replace the existing corrugated metal pipes to connect the S-332B and S-332C pump station releases to the SDA by a parallel weir; construction of a new culvert to maintain the connection from S-332B that allows flows from the SDA to the North Detention Area (NDA); removal of the existing underground corrugated metal pipes at S-332B and S-332C and a removal to grade for the existing overburden material; the construction of a new levee to expand the wetland footprint of the NDA southward by approximately 7.1 acres following removal of the existing S-332B discharge pipes; and the degrading of the levees removing sections of the SDA that connected the old pump stations to the SDA. The replacement pumps will be located approximately 300 feet south and 300 feet west of the current pump station locations.

In addition to a “no action” plan, two alternatives were evaluated in the 2020 Final GRR/EA. The full FONSI with details on the alternative plans are available for your review on the USACE Jacksonville District website, under District Wide, dropdown menu below the “Environmental Documents (not by county)” heading.  Scroll to the bottom of the table to find the document links. https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/

Or directly at this link:   CANAL 111 (C-111) PROJECT REVISED FONSI

Questions concerning the FONSI can be submitted to Kurt Moseley by email at kurt.r.moseley@usace.army.mil  or by phone at 904-232-1071.