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  • May

    USACE issues permit for Summer's End Marina in U.S. Virgin Islands

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District issued a permit for the Summer's End Marina located in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands on April 20.

  • April

    From left, Megan Parsons, Lee Martin and Jessica “Skippy” Martin pose with balloons collected during a cleanup effort near Julian Keen, Florida, April 22, 2026. The team recovered 28 balloons in three hours, demonstrating the widespread impact of litter in waterways. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)

    Balloon debris removal effort at Lake Okeechobee supports environmental stewardship mission

    LAKE OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (April 22, 2026) — A small team from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District removed dozens of pieces of debris from Lake Okeechobee during a targeted cleanup effort, underscoring the growing environmental impact of balloon releases on Florida’s waterways.
  • Expedited completion of the EAA Reservoir Project is a prime example of the Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork initiative in action: to finish nationally significant work with greater effort and emphasis and leverage support from our non-federal partners as a force multiplier for faster delivery. (U.S. Army photo by Brigida I. Sanchez)

    ASA announces expedited completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir Project

    BELLE GLADE, Fla. - (April 13, 2026) Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle announced decisive action to fast-track completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project, with construction now targeted for completion by 2029 and select project actions delegated to the State of Florida.

  • March

    A native box turtle emerges from his home on the grounds of the Tree Hill Nature Center. Box turtles, like this one, greatly benefit from the removal of invasive plants, like the coral ardisia, that push out native plants and other items that the turtle depends on for food and shelter.

    Wrangling Weeds one Invasive Plant at a time

    Wrangling weeds may sound simple, but during National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) it becomes a focused effort to protect Florida’s native landscapes one invasive plant at a time. The 2026 Florida Weed Wrangle, a statewide campaign held during NISAW, called on volunteers to help rescue public parks and green spaces from invasive species through hands-on removal of harmful trees, vines and shrubs.
  • Photo of a group of people standing together in a conference room.

    The People Side of Oversight: Building the Skills for Effective Regulation

    Jacksonville District regulators attend a multi-day training to develop essential competencies required to excel in their roles.
  • Lt. Col. Matthew Westcott, deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, observes high school students as they test their boat designs during the first “Surprise Problem” challenge at the 24th Annual Engineering Career Day Feb. 27, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. Using only provided materials, teams constructed small boats and added coins to test floatability and stability before the next phase of the challenge focused on mobility. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Aaron Church)

    Future Engineers in Action: Northeast Florida students tackle real-world challenges at the 24th Annual Engineering Career Day

    Nearly 100 students from Northeast Florida schools tackled real-world engineering challenges while learning from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers professionals, industry partners, and universities during National Engineers Week. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Aaron Church)
  • An excavator operated by a City of Fort Pierce employee prepares to move freshly delivered sand into place along the shoreline at Jetty Park on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, as workers race to protect a nearby roadway, homes and underground utilities from an eroding shoreline. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Ronnie Shawn Huebner)

    Against Rising Tides and a Disappearing Shoreline: A Rapid Sand Response

    Against a rising tide and disappearing shoreline, Col. Brandon L. Bowman, Commander Jacksonville District, received a call from Congressman Brian Mast’s (FL-21) office requesting immediate assistance. The message was clear: severe erosion was accelerating at Jetty Park and had created a dangerous risk of potential shoreline breach onto private property, and the Corps expertise was needed.
  • Larbi Kandil, chief of Asset Management for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, leads the district’s Asset Management program, overseeing the sustainment, modernization and operational readiness of facilities and infrastructure that support mission execution across the region. In his role, Kandil coordinates planning, resource prioritization and long-term facility strategy to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and aligned with Corps standards. Recognized for his steady leadership, technical expertise and commitment to developing his workforce, Kandil has built a reputation for advocating for his team and fostering a collaborative environment that strengthens both people and mission performance. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Visual Information Specialist Ty Erickson)

    Steady Hands Behind Critical Infrastructure: Larbi Kandil Leads Asset Management for Jacksonville District

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (Mar. 3, 2026) Behind every functioning lock, dam, facility, and survey vessel in the Jacksonville District is a complex system of maintenance, planning, and stewardship. Helping ensure those assets remain safe, reliable, and mission-ready is Larbi Kandil, District Asset Manager and Chief of the Asset Management Section within the Multi-Projects Branch, Operations Division.

  • February

    Safety first! Before the tour, Jason Pritt, Lock Operator, gave students a safety briefing and an overview of the WP Franklin Lock and Dam. As part of their STEM-focused field trip, students learned about career paths in science and engineering and gained insight into lock operations within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (USACE photo by John Miracle, Volunteer and former Jacksonville District Lock Mechanic)

    Where Science Meets Service: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce

    Alva, FL, - On a cool morning along the Caloosahatchee River, the arrival of the yellow school buses at the W.P Franklin Visitor Center signaled more than just another field trip. Nearly 40 students from East Lee County and Dunbar High Schools stepped off ready to explore how science connects to real-world careers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District.

  • OP-ED: Navigating the dry season with a conservation mindset

    Florida’s water story in 2025 was one of progress, partnership and a shared commitment to responsible stewardship. This past year brought meaningful improvements across much of the system.
  • PICAYUNE STRAND, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2026) – Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, deputy commanding general for Civil and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has visited Picayune Strand throughout its many phases of restoration and in various roles during his career. The Picayune Strand Restoration Project is restoring more than 55,000 acres of land. Restoration benefits are being observed in rehydrated areas, including the reestablishment of native plant communities and the return of animals such as wood storks and the endangered Florida panther. (U.S. Army Photo by Brigida I. Sanchez)

    Jacksonville District celebrates completion of the Picayune Strand Restoration Project

    NAPLES, Fla. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, along with federal, state, and local partners celebrated the completion of the Picayune Strand Restoration Project earlier today during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Miller Pump Station in Naples, FL.

  • December

    A pelican flies across the bay during sunrise- the sky is orange

    Restoring Biscayne’s Delicate Balance

    The brackish water was still as glass. As the sun rose from beneath a glaucous, marbled blanket of clouds, it saluted those waiting to see her display her fiery red-orange dress. If you focused solely on the magic transpiring in the bay, you could almost forget the traffic building nearby as 2.7 million residents set about their daily lives.
  • Col. Brandon Bowman, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, addresses the benefits of the next iteration of the Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project, Delray Beach Segment, with engineers, project managers and local representatives from Palm Beach County and the City of Delray Beach during a kickoff event, with beach renourishment work set to kick off in January 2026.

    Jacksonville District, Palm Beach County and Delray Beach celebrate partnership, forthcoming beach renourishment

    DEL RAY BEACH, Fla. - The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, celebrated the kick-off of the Delray Beach Segment of the Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project with local governmental representatives from non-Federal sponsor Palm Beach County and the City of Delray Beach, Monday, in anticipation of the renourishment of 2.65 miles of shoreline, starting January 2026.

  • November

    Maj. Matthew Westcott stands at attention while his wife Louise Westcott and U. S. Army Col. Brandon Bowman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Commander pin on his new rank during the promotion of Westcott to Lieutenant Colonel during a promotion ceremony Nov. 13, at the District Headquarters in the Prudential Building. As Westcott prepares to ascend to the next echelon of leadership within USACE, his promotion is a testament to his unwavering commitment and meritorious service. (U.S. Army photo by Mark Rankin)

    Jacksonville District Deputy District Commander promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

    JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Soldiers, Maj. Matthew Westcott was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during a ceremony held Nov. 13, 2025, at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Headquarters.
  • With exceptional teamwork and adaptability, this group of Jacksonville District employees, Jessica “Skippy” Martin, Lee Martin, Graham Thompson and Steven Klemme, pictured at the crash site, transformed a routine workday into a life-saving response. Swift action and seamless coordination ensured passengers reached medical care and first responders safely and quickly.

    Routine Interrupted: Responding to the Unexpected

    What began as a routine Wednesday afternoon quickly turned into an emergency response for four Jacksonville District Operations Division, South Florida Operations Office (SFOO) employees.

  • October

    Eustis, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in coordination Lake County Emergency Management and state partners, has mobilized personnel to provide technical assistance with the ongoing flood response efforts in Lake County following recent heavy rainfall across the region. Workers can be seen laying out long suction hoses.( U.S. Army Photo by Brigida I. Sanchez)

    USACE and Lake County partner to deploy pumps and deliver flood relief after recent storms

    EUSTIS, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District, in coordination with Lake County Emergency Management and state partners, has mobilized personnel and equipment to assist with ongoing flood response efforts in Lake County following recent heavy rainfall across the region.   
  • Seed runners talking and shaking out racing jitters at the start line.

    Despite the Rain JAX- Strong Team Shined

    The weather in Downtown Jacksonville was dreary, with clouds overhead and a persistent drizzle, but that couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 21 members of the USACE Jacksonville District’s JAX-Strong team. They arrived at James Weldon Johnson Park with one goal in mind for The Baldwin Group Corporate 5k: to run hard and have fun.

  • September

    An aerial photo of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Contract 10. It is the 8-mile inflow/outflow canal (3,000 CFS) and 7-mile seepage canal / maintenance road (Northern Boundary of Reservoir). The EAA is part of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The project will set the foundation for restoring the central portion of the Everglades ecosystem and sending additional water south. CEPP EAA will capture water lost to tide and re-direct water flow south to the central Everglades, Everglades National Park, and Florida Bay. (U.S. Army Photo by Mark Rankin)

    USACE sets the Pace with Completion of Everglades EAA 10A Project

    SOUTH BAY, Fla. (Sept. 25, 2025) —--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of Contract 10A for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project with its federal, state, and local partners in South Bay, Fla today.
  • (Left to Right) Maj. Matt Westoctt, Jacksonville District Deputy Commander, Anthony Tallie and Howie Gonzalez, Jacksonville District Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management present awards at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District completion and graduation of the 2025 Leadership Development Program Course during a ceremony at district headquarters at the Prudential Building on Jacksonville’s Southbank. (USACE photo by Bri Sanchez)

    Finding Leadership in Synergy

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2025) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District celebrated the completion and graduation of the 2025 Leadership Development Program Course during a ceremony at district headquarters at the Prudential Building on Jacksonville’s Southbank.
  • The Honorable Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and Maj. Gen. Jason Kelly, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, visited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District keynote project at the Central Everglades Planning Project Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) phase Aug. 22, 2025.

    ASA visits Jacksonville Districts' South Florida EAA Project

    SOUTH BAY, Fla. – The Honorable Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and Maj. Gen. Jason Kelly, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, visited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District keynote project at the Central Everglades Planning Project Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) phase Aug. 22, 2025.