JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act this Notice of Availability of the draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) and proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) support the Preliminary Project Operations Manual (PPOM) for the Indian River Lagoon-South (IRL-S) C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area (R/STA). The C-44 R/STA is a feature of the IRL-S Restoration Project in Martin County, Florida. The purpose of the IRL-S Project is for restoration of the southern Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie Estuary ecosystem in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties, Florida.
The purpose of the proposed PPOM for the C-44 R/STA and C-23/C-44 Estuary Discharge Diversion (EDD) features is to optimize project operations considering the new Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule and updated flow targets for the St. Lucie Estuary salinity envelope. The C-44 R/STA and C-23/C-44 EDD will be used to attenuate and provide water quality treatment to freshwater flows entering the St. Lucie Estuary. The proposed operations include a seasonally varying reservoir outflow table, priority use of the C-23/C-44 EDD, and capture of Lake Okeechobee inflows into the reservoir following an operational testing and monitoring period.
Jacksonville District is posting the draft SEA and proposed FONSI for 30-day public review. The deadline for the review is March 11, 2026.
The draft SEA and proposed FONSI are available on the Jacksonville District's Environmental Planning website under Martin County: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/EnvironmentalBranch/Environmental-Documents/
(On the above page, click on the “+” next to “Martin County” Then scroll down to the project name)
Comments may be submitted in writing to IRL-S_C44_ProjectOperatingManual@usace.army.mil.
Correspondence may also be sent to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville District
701 San Marco Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207-8175
Additionally, there will be two virtual public meetings for the Preliminary Project Operations Manual for the IRL-S C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area.
Wednesday, February 25th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Microsoft Teams
https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/meet/993193795960?p=a5UhKwJBGLlnY3vw67
with the option to call in at +1 601-262-2433, room number 459764830#
Wednesday, February 25th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Microsoft Teams
https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/meet/993723465415?p=CQFdqRG8Tbsn8FSM0c
with the option to call in at +1 601-262-2433, room number 373491447#.
Questions regarding the project can be submitted to Mr. Samuel Hans by email at Samuel.H.Hans@usace.army.mil or by telephone at 904-232-1036.
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