JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, has released a draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) and proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) evaluating the addition of recreational features to components of the Indian River Lagoon-South (IRL-S) Project, a key component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
The IRL-S Project was authorized to restore the southern Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary ecosystems in Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties. While the project was originally designed and approved to support ecosystem restoration, recreational features were not included in the initial project plan.
The draft SEA evaluates the potential environmental effects of adding compatible recreational amenities to IRL-S project components. Proposed recreational features include picnic shelters, information kiosks, hiking trails, observation towers, and boat launches. These features would be incorporated into both Phase I and Phase II components of the project, excluding the C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area.
The draft SEA and proposed FONSI are available for public review on the Jacksonville District Environmental Documents webpage under Martin County: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/EnvironmentalBranch/Environmental-Documents/
The deadline for public comments is July 27, 2026.
USACE will host two virtual public meetings on July 8, 2026, to provide an overview of the proposed action and receive public input:
Morning Meeting
July 8, 2026
10:00 a.m. EDT
Teams Link: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/meet/993222858129?p=8XEfYN49zoIbeBkOLo with the option to call in at +1 601-262-2433, ID number 338 896 848#.
Evening Meeting
July 8, 2026
6:00 p.m. EDT
Teams Link: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/meet/993437049958?p=VlEuePC7bgr02HvALW with the option to call in at +1 601-262-2433, ID number 319 500 26#.
Comments may be submitted electronically to Samuel.H.Hans@usace.army.mil.
Questions regarding the project may be directed to Samuel Hans at 904-232-1036.
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