JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 9, 2025) – Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District has issued a Notice of Availability for the Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to support a multi-year planned temporary deviation to the Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A Regulation Schedule.
This regulation schedule is part of the 2020 Combined Operational Plan (COP) Water Control Plan, the current operating plan for the WCAs, Everglades National Park and South Dade Conveyance System. The 2020 COP Water Control Plan defines operations for the constructed features of the Modified Water Deliveries and Canal 111 (C-111) South Dade project components. Under the 2020 COP Water Control Plan, operations of the S-12A, S-12B, S-343A, and S-343B include date-based closures for the federally listed Cape Sable seaside sparrow. The Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the 2020 COP Water Control Plan was completed on August 28, 2020.
Jacksonville District has identified the need for a multi-year planned temporary deviation to provide operational flexibility to manage high-water conditions in WCA 3A. Date-based closures for S-12A, S-12B, S-343A, and S-343B are removed in Zone A of the WCA 3A Regulation Schedule. When in Zone B of the WCA 3A Regulation Schedule, minimum flows at these structures may be made by the request from the Department of Interior with approval by USACE per the conditions-based operations outlined in the operational strategy that supports the deviation.
This deviation will assist with the transition to conditions-based operations of S-12A, S-12B, S-343A, and S-343B currently being considered in the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) Operational Plan, initiated in April 2023. The CEPP Operational Plan will supersede the 2020 COP Water Control Plan and any approved deviations under it. This next CEPP Project Operating Manual (POM) is expected to be in place from approximately Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 through FY2029. The multi-year planned temporary deviation will be in place until the approval of the next CEPP POM.
The EA and proposed FONSI are available for review on the Jacksonville District’s environmental planning website:
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/
(On the above page, click on the “+” next to “Multiple Counties”. Scroll down to the project name)
A printed copy of the EA and proposed FONSI is also available at the libraries listed below. An electronic version can also be obtained by sending a request to COPDeviationComments@usace.army.mil.
a. BROWARD COUNTY MAIN LIBRARY
100 SOUTH ANDREWS AVENUE
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33301
b. MIAMI-DADE MAIN LIBRARY
101 WEST FLAGLER STREET
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33130
Please submit any comments in writing to COPDeviationComments@usace.army.mil by July 14, 2025. Questions concerning the project can also be submitted to Melissa Nasuti at 904-232-1368.
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