JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act this Notice of Availability covers the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the approval of a proposed interim operations plan for the S-620 Gated Culvert.
The S-620 Gated Culvert is located along the county boundary between Palm Beach County and Broward County and just east of the North New River Canal (L-18). The S-620 Gated Culvert is a feature of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) North Phase, a component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is evaluating the request from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to implement the proposed interim operations for the S-620 Gated Culvert pursuant to Corps’ Section 408 authority (33 U.S. Code 408).
The purpose of the proposed S-620 Gated Culvert is to facilitate the transfer of water, when hydrologic and environmental conditions are appropriate, from the L-6 Canal (WCA-2A) to the L-5 East Canal for ultimate distribution to the northwest corner of WCA-3A via the L-4 distribution features. Under the proposed interim operations, releases from WCA-2A using S-620 will only occur when conditions are ecologically or hydrologically beneficial. Operations are determined with consideration of the existing WCA-2A Regulation Schedule. Releases will include supplementing or replacing the current S-7 reverse flow operations to facilitate water delivery to the Alley North Rookery or to provide additional operational flexibility in addressing water supply.
During interim operations, the S-620 can be used to distribute flows to northeast WCA-3A to benefit wading birds in the Alley North Rookery, one of the largest wading bird colonies in North America, and for hydrating areas in northwestern WCA-3A that are prone to dry out, which typically occurs during the dry season.
The draft EA and proposed FONSI evaluate the environmental effects of approving the S-620 Gated Culvert Proposed Interim Operations Plan under the Corps’ Section 408 authority.
The draft EA and proposed FONSI are available for your review on the Jacksonville District's Environmental Planning website under Palm Beach County:
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/EnvironmentalBranch/Environmental-Documents/
(On the above page, click on the “+” next to “Palm Beach.” Then scroll down to the project name)
Jacksonville District is posting the draft EA and proposed FONSI for 30-day public review. The deadline for the review is March 13, 2026.
Questions regarding the project can be submitted to Mr. Jacob Thompson by email at jacob.s.thompson@usace.army.mil, or by telephone at 904-232-1893.
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