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  • January

    Engineering Division: Hard work results in significant achievements

    “It was a big year for execution,” said Laureen Borochaner, chief of Jacksonville District’s Engineering Division. “We already had plenty of work, and then took on a lot of additional, unplanned work besides. Much of that work was in-house design of complex major projects.”
  • Beth Myers, deputy for the Small Business Programs Office, helps Corps employees, small and large businesses, contractors and others understand and navigate complex rules and regulations and the government contracting process.

    Big year for small business programs office

    "Small business is everyone's business." That is Beth Myers’ motto, and the philosophy she truly believes, lives and works by. As the deputy for the Small Business Programs Office, she knows that it is important for every member of Jacksonville District to understand and support the small business mission. Though she works with contractors and small businesses, one of Myers’ main jobs is to educate the district team. “It takes an entire team to work this program, not just my office,” she said.

  • Water Resources Branch prevails through challenging year

    Two of the most powerful influences in the world challenged Jacksonville District’s Water Resources Branch in 2013: nature and the President of the United States.

  • Another banner year for district’s ecosystem restoration program

    With major contract awards, dedication ceremonies and the completion of the first Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) project this past year, it is safe to say that 2013 was a busy and productive year for Jacksonville District’s ecosystem restoration program.
  • An estimated 5,000 protesters march near the St. Lucie Lock August 3 to demonstrate opposition to water releases from Lake Okeechobee. Jacksonville District’s Operations Division released water from the lake throughout the summer in response to heavy precipitation that fell from April to July in the Lake Okeechobee watershed.

    Operations Division overcomes challenges

    “2013 was a year full of challenges,” said Jim Jeffords, Operations Division chief. “Our biggest challenge was the historical rain event that occurred from April to July. The event tested all aspects of the district – our water managers, inspections of the dike, emergency operations, dam safety and corporate communications.”
  • Contracting Division awarded a $221 million contract for the Miami Harbor Deepening Project, which deepens the channel to 50 feet. This prepares the Port of Miami to receive larger shipping vessels following the completion of the Panama Canal expansion in 2015.

    Contracting Division exceeds expectations

    With a staff of dedicated, hard-working employees, Jacksonville District’s Contracting Division executed 1,218 contract awards for a total of $573 million in obligations during fiscal year 2013, the highest number of awards the district has ever executed in a single fiscal year.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Commander Col. Alan Dodd spoke on the “Where is all the Water Coming From? A Coastal Perspective on Solutions for Water Management in the Northern Everglades and Lake Okeechobee” panel Jan. 11, 2014, at the Everglades Coalition Conference in Naples, Fla. Also serving on the panel were (from left) Mark Perry of the Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, (not pictured) South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member Mitch Hutchcraft and Drew Bartlett of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Eric Draper (right) from Audubon of Florida moderated the panel.

    Corps discusses restoration progress and Lake Okeechobee management at annual Everglades Coalition Conference

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Collaboration, innovation and long-term solutions were key discussion points

  • Regulatory Division is meeting environmental, economic needs

    Protecting the nation’s aquatic resources while simultaneously meeting its economic needs requires dedication and an ability to balance often competing needs. Through the execution of the Department of the Army’s responsibility, authorized under the River and Harbors Act of 1899 and the Clean Water Act of 1972, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ regulatory program reviews multitudes of proposed projects annually, and either issues or denies permits based on these and other applicable laws.
  • Crews work on the De Diego bridge in San Juan, Puerto Rico as part of the Rio Puerto Nuevo flood control project. The contract is one of 100 contract awards worth a combined $1.6 billion that’s being overseen by the Jacksonville District Construction Division.

    Construction Division accomplishes big things in 2013; prepares for bigger 2014

    In 2013, the Construction Division was involved in more than ensuring that authorized projects were built; they were also involved in another type of construction project. They were rebuilding the division.

  • December

    Biologist Nicole Liette (right) visits the bait and tackle store at Roland Martin’s Marina as part of the regular face-to-face outreach the Corps does every few weeks around the lake.

    Invasive Species Management Branch ramps up outreach

    Invasive Species Management Branch ramps up outreach programs with social media.
  • A boater approaches LaBelle on the Caloosahatchee River, part of the Okeechobee Waterway in south Florida. Jacksonville District is educating boaters on its anchoring policy to improve safety and reduce the risk of an accident on the 152-mile long waterway connecting Stuart and Fort Myers.

    Rangers educate boaters on Okeechobee Waterway anchoring policy

    Jacksonville District park rangers along the Okeechobee Waterway are educating boaters on navigation and anchoring policies adopted to promote safety.
  • Matos, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois that works as an explosive detection dog, picks up a scent and focuses on leading his handler, Stevie Valencia of AMK9, to a buried training target during a demonstration on the Mullet Key Formerly Used Defense Site at Fort DeSoto Park near St. Petersburg, Fla. The specialty dogs are being used as a demonstration technology, to evaluate the potential for using them on other similar sites.

    These noses know no limits

    Don is a five-year-old German Shepherd, one of several explosive detection dogs that are working alongside their handlers at the Mullet Key Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County near St. Petersburg, Fla.
  • Florida bark scorpions have been found under rocks and in monitoring well sleeves during inspections of the 143-mile long Herbert Hoover Dike levee around Lake Okeechobee.

    Presentation on poisonous species benefits field staff safety

    Clewiston biologist Nicole Liette provided an overview of the many poisonous plants and animals in south Florida for South Florida Operations Office and lock employees who spend a lot of time outdoors or in the field,to help them be educated,alert,aware and safe during their normal duties in south Florida.
  • Enge’s estate preserved this classic salt marsh wetland habitat along the Nassau River, viewed from the Nassau River Bridge, dominated by black needle rush and smooth cordgrass.

    Corps retiree inspired others, left a lasting legacy

    In September 2013, Corps retiree Noble Enge’s sisters deeded land to North Florida Land Trust in his name, to ensure its permanent protection and preservation. The Noble Enge Trust encompasses 500 acres, much of it classic salt marsh habitat near and adjacent to the Nassau River on North Main Street in Jacksonville, Fla. within the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. "When you spend your life on a river, you can't help but want to see it preserved."

  • November

    Lygodium microphyllum, or Old world climbing fern, pictured here in Loxahatchee, Fla. Native to Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands, the plant invades open forest and wetland areas in Florida and Alabama.

    A Community of Practice is born

    The Invasive Species Leadership Team was established to provide direction to the ongoing research program, represent the Corps on regional invasive species councils and assist Corps headquarters in the development of national invasive species policy and program management.
  • W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam Recreation Area volunteers Don Chapman (left) and George Schisler clean and repair one of the many Purple Martin “palaces” that they have built over the years, in preparation for the return of Purple Martin colonies in January.

    Corps volunteers prepare for annual return of Purple Martins

    Along the Okeechobee Waterway, the return of the Purple Martins is one of the much-anticipated annual rites of spring. Corps volunteers have worked hard over the years to attract these delightful birds to Corps recreation areas for the enjoyment of all.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Coordinator José Bilbao (third from right) created and organized the cook-off event. He is joined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Office staff (left to right): student intern Melanie Daniels, Equal Employment Opportunity Manager Collen Shanklin, and Equal Employment Opportunity Specialists Lucy Soto and Adam Morrison.

    Jacksonville District savors the flavors with Hispanic Heritage Month Cook-Off

    In José Bilbao’s family, like many Hispanic families, food brings people together. “For most Hispanics, food is such an important part of our culture, history and way of life,” he said. “Families often come together, spend the day together and cook all day long.”
  • Col. Alan Dodd (left), district commander, received the 2013 Richard Bonner Award from Don Donaldson, sponsor for Palm Beach County and Debbie Flack, FSBPA president, during the FSBPA’s 57th Annual Conference at Delray Beach Sept. 25-27.

    Protecting lives and infrastructure from the next storm

    The Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association (FSBPA) presented awards in recognition of Hurricane Sandy and Tropical Storm Debby recovery efforts to two Jacksonville District team members during its 57th Annual Conference at Delray Beach Sept. 25-27.

  • October

    Central Everglades Planning Project

    Corps extends comment period for Central Everglades Planning Project

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will be extending the deadline to submit
  • The Faka Union Pump Station is scheduled to be completed in fall 2014.

    Corps awards final pump station contract for Picayune Strand restoration

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District has awarded the construction contract for the third and final pump station for the Picayune Strand Restoration Project in Collier County, Fla.