JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- (Mar. 13, 2026) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (Corps) has prepared a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment (EA) and proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the expedited planned, temporary deviation from the 2016 Lake Istokpoga Regulation Schedule. The proposed planned, temporary deviation is being pursued to allow continued water supply releases from Lake Istokpoga when the lake stages drop below the existing Zone B, due to drought conditions observed this dry season, to meet downstream water supply needs within the Indian Prairie Basin, including deliveries to the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) formally requested the deviation on February 12, 2026. Currently, Lake Istokpoga stage is 0.12 feet above the Zone B regulation line and receding. Governor DeSantis issued an executive order on February 9, 2026, declaring a state of emergency in large portions of Florida for 60 days, and SFWMD issued water shortage warnings for portions of the Central and South Florida Project (C&SF) region, including the region encompassed in this deviation request.
The Corps, in coordination with agency partners is proposing a planned temporary deviation to modify Zone B of the Lake Istokpoga Regulation Schedule to allow water supply releases without the regulatory floor at 37.0 feet NGVD29, regardless of the operation of G-207 and G-208. Additionally, under the Preferred Alternative the creation of Zone C1, a temporary zone that allows water supply releases down to 36.0 feet NGVD29. The deviation represents a lowering of the water supply line by 1.0 feet allowing releases to meet downstream water supply demands if the level of Lake Istokpoga drops below the existing regulation floor of 37.0 feet NGVD. No water supply releases will be made in Zone C.
A description of alternatives and environmental effect analysis of the proposed deviation for Lake Istokpoga are provided in the draft EA available at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/. The Corps has initiated informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure the proposed planned temporary deviation can be implemented without adverse impacts to threatened and endangered species.
The Corps has prepared a draft EA and proposed FONSI that will accompany the proposed planned, temporary deviation request to the Corps’ South Atlantic Division (SAD) for review and decision following public review. The draft EA and proposed FONSI are being posted for 7-day review. Please direct any email correspondence to Lanna.S.Jin@usace.army.mil .
-30-
Release no. 26-014