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  • September

    The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has received FEMA Mission Assignments (MAs) for Regional Activation and Temporary Emergency Power in response to Hurricane Fiona. Emergency Personnel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District has deployed a Temporary Emergency Power Planning and Response Team, Soldiers from the 249th Engineer Battalion, team leaders and assistant team leaders, as well as subject matter experts in logistics, temporary power, infrastructure assessment and debris. (USACE photo by Luis Deya.)

    Jacksonville District provides support in response to Hurricane Fiona

    (SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, Sept. 20, 2022) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District has received FEMA Mission Assignments (MAs) for Regional Activation and Temporary Emergency Power in response to Hurricane Fiona. Under these MAs we have deployed a Temporary Emergency Power Planning and Response Team, Soldiers from the 249th Engineer Battalion, team leaders and assistant team leaders, as well as subject matter experts in logistics, temporary power, infrastructure assessment and debris. The Jacksonville District is coordinating with local, state and federal agencies on requirements and support in response to Hurricane Fiona.

  • August

    South Atlantic Coastal Study Team managed the four-year, $18.4 million, comprehensive regional study that was designed to identify the risks and vulnerabilities of tidally influenced areas to increased hurricane and storm damage as a result of sea level rise. The study area included the entire Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean coasts from Mississippi to North Carolina as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. (USACE photo by David Ruderman)

    South Atlantic Division signs SACS Final Report

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, signed the Final Report of the South Atlantic Coastal Study during a virtual online ceremony on July 25. 2022.

  • July

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District Commander, Col. James L. Booth, (right) provides the Under Secretary of The Army, Hon. Gabe Camarillo an overview and brief of USACE projects in the Jacksonville District Area of Responsibility at the facilities of the Puerto Rico National Guard in Fort Buchanan, Guaynabo, July 27, 2022. (USACE photos by Mark Rankin)

    Hon. Gabe Camarillo gets overview of USACE Projects in Puerto Rico

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District Commander, Col. James L. Booth, (Middle) and Deputy District Commander, Antilles Area, Maj. Jesus Soto, (Left) provide the Under Secretary of The Army, Hon. Gabe Camarillo a command brief. (USACE photos by Mark Rankin)
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District hosted a Ceremonial Signing for the Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to start construction of the Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project today at the Area Recreativa Jose Pepe Diaz (Pepe Díaz Trail Park), San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    USACE signs Project Partnership Agreement for Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project in San Juan, Puerto Rico

    San Juan, Puerto Rico. (July 26, 2022) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District hosted a Ceremonial Signing for the Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to start construction of the Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project today at the Area Recreativa Jose Pepe Diaz (Pepe Díaz Trail Park), San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  • White House Sr. Advisor, Infrastructure Implementation Coord. Mitch Landrieu, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Lawmaker Pete Osceola Jr., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Everglades Foundation Chief Executive Officer Eric Eikenberg along with an array of local leaders and key Everglades stakeholders ride on an airboat during a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Everglades Investment Tour inside the Everglades in Miami-Dade County, Florida, on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (USACE photo by Jennifer L. Brande)

    USACE hosts Infrastructure representatives for tour of the Everglades

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District hosted Mitch Landrieu, White House Sr. Advisor and Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator, Jaime A. Pinkham, The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Lawmaker Pete Osceola Jr., and Everglades Foundation Chief Executive Officer Eric Eikenberg along with state, local leaders and key Everglades nonprofit partners for a project overview and tour inside the Everglades in Miami-Dade County, Florida, on July 21, 2022.

  • June

    Yisseliz Rivera-Rodriquez, a civil engineer and Project Manager from the Jacksonville District, Miami Resident Office provides an overview of work on the Miami Beach Renourishment project that distributes sand placement at the southern end of the Indian Beach Park and Allison Beach. (USACE photo by Mark Rankin)

    Jacksonville District continues beach placement on Indian Beach Park and Allison Beach segment of Miami Beach shoreline protection project

    Jacksonville, Fla. (Aug. 1, 2022) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, continues work on the Miami Beach Renourishment project that distributes sand placement at the southern end of the Indian Beach Park and Allison Beach. The project started June 13, 2022.

  • May

    Today, federal, state, and local leaders joined JAXPORT and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District to celebrate the completion of the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening Project through JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal. The project deepened 11 miles of the federal shipping channel—from the sea buoy to Blount Island—to a depth of 47 feet from its previous depth of 40 feet.

    USACE, JAXPORT mark milestone: Harbor deepening project complete

    JACKSONVILLE, FL. (May 23, 2022) – Today federal, state, and local leaders joined U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District and the JAXPORT team to celebrate the completion of the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening project through JAXPORT’s Blount Island terminal.
  • Luis A. Deya

    Rio Puerto Nuevo – Moving Forward with Innovated Proposed Channel

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (May 10, 2022) – Engineers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District briefed and provided an overview of the Rio Puerto Nuevo Flood Damage Reduction project at La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 5. The overview provided clarity for updates and changes since the project was authorized. as authorized.

  • April

    Matthew Schrader, a coastal engineer and planner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District has worked and played on most of the 1,350 miles that make up the Florida coast. As we stood at the Seventh Street entrance of the beach, he showed me an old-timey black and white photo taken after Hurricane Dora in 1964 that he had enlarged of that very same spot. Juxtaposing the image to what the beach looks like now encapsulates the importance of working with nature to find sustainable solutions for our everyday problems. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Photo by Brigida I. Sanchez)

    Every Day is Earth Day

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Apr. 26, 2022) – For Matt, every day is Earth Day. A Florida native and a waterman, his passion led him to a career and life of working with nature.
  • Report and prevent sexual assault. Call the DOD Safe Helpline for assistance!

    Prevention Starts with You: USACE reinforces prevention as key to combating sexual assault

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Apr. 26, 2022) – In a perfect world, the conversation about sexual assault would never have to happen. Unfortunately, our world is far from perfect and sexual harassment, and assaults are still happening today. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has taken the stance and prioritized their Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) campaign focusing on and highlighting the fact that prevention starts with you.
  • Jacksonville District Assessment team members: Ortiz, Rivera and Pacheco. USACE photo

    Request for facility expansion support keeps Jacksonville District in forefront of pandemic fight

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Apr. 21, 2022) –Two years later, and still in the throes of a global pandemic, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District continues to be at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight.
  • An aerial map of the Rio Anton Ruiz restoration project construction began in January and is expected to be completed in late April 2022. The goal is to mitigate the intrusion of saltwater to Humacao Natural Reserve (HNR) to protect the Pterocarpus officinalis forest and lagoon which are freshwater systems. Intrusion of saltwater can lead to harmful impacts to the essential habitat of federally and locally listed protected species.

    USACE Safeguarding Ecosystems in the Antilles - Humacao Natural Reserve, Río Antón Ruíz restoration project

    ANTILLES, Puerto Rico. (April 21, 2022) - Just in time to celebrate Earth Day the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed Río Antón Ruíz, Humacao Natural Reserve restoration project that safeguards its ecosystem.
  • The Secretary of the Army has awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal to Kimberly A. Taplin upon her retirement. As Senior Program Manager Forward, Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from April 2015 to April 2022. Ms. Taplin was instrumental in the success of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the South Florida Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Program by providing technical oversight and coordination and engagement with tribal, federal, state, local agencies and stakeholders. Ms. Taplin's commitment to the restoration of America's Everglades and dedication to Federal Service reflect great credit upon her, the Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Army.

    Kim Taplin retires, leaves a lasting legacy after 26 years of service to the Nation and America's Everglades

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 6, 2022) -U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District employee, "The legendary Kim Taplin," retired after 26 years of selfless service to our Nation.

  • February

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' senior enlisted adviser Command Sgt. Maj. Patrickson Toussaint visited the Jacksonville District February 16-17. (USACE photo by Bri Sanchez)

    USACE Command Sergeant Major visits Jacksonville District, gets overview of projects

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Feb 24, 2022) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' senior enlisted adviser Command Sgt. Maj. Patrickson Toussaint visited the Jacksonville District February 16-17, 2022.
  • The Western Everglades Restoration Project is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and is cost-shared between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District. The study area covers approximately 1,200 square miles, bounded by the L-1 Canal to the north; the L-2 canal, Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6, and the eastern boundary of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Reservation to the east; a natural watershed boundary to the west; and portions of U.S. Highway 41, Loop Road, and the southern Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Reservation area to the south.

    Jacksonville District restarts Western Everglades Restoration Project

    Jacksonville, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2022) –One of the few Everglades restoration projects located in Southwest Florida, the Western Everglades Restoration Project is back with an approved extension and a plan to complete the study in 2023.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Water Management District and guests celebrated the Indian River Lagoon-South C-23/24 Stormwater Treatment Area Groundbreaking

    USACE breaks ground on Stormwater Treatment area in Fort Pierce

    FORT PIERCE, Fla.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District hosted a groundbreaking to celebrate the start of construction on the Indian River Lagoon- South C-23/24 Stormwater Treatment Area.

  • January

    Lucy Soto, Jacksonville District's Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, is wrapping up her more than 36-year career this week while looking forward to her retirement. Soto receives an award from Jacksonville District Commander James Booth during her retirement celebration.

    That's a wrap. Soto reflects on 36 years with the district as she readies for retirement

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2022) – Lucy Soto, Jacksonville District's Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, is wrapping up her more than 36-year career this week while looking forward to her retirement.
  • Col. James Booth, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District commander, speaks during at an Everglades Coalition Conference plenary session discussing federal policy and funding for Everglades restoration projects. The discussion held Jan. 8 provided an opportunity for Booth to highlight some of the momentum Everglades restoration has enjoyed recently, including two ribbon cutting ceremonies recognizing completed projects and a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled in February 2022.

    USACE highlights restoration momentum at Everglades Coalition Conference

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2022) - After years of challenging policy work, Everglades restoration efforts are beginning to show real momentum. Col. James Booth, commander of the Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, gave an update on the "incredible progress" made on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan over the past few years, including 20 projects complete or in phase 1 implementation, another 20 authorized or already under construction, and 8 more still in the feasibility study phase.
  • Eva Velez (left), the chief of the Ecosystem Branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, prepares to speak during a panel discussion at the 37th Everglades Coalition Conference Jan. 7. Velez was joined at the table by Dr. Tom Van Lent (center), the senior scientist of the Everglades Foundation, and Eve Samples (right), the executive director Friends of the Everglades. The panel discussed the importance of water management across the entire Central and South Florida system, and particularly the efforts to produce a new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual that will provide significant improvements for stakeholders over the current Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule that was written in 2008.

    LOSOM Vital to Everglades Restoration

    For 37 years, the Everglades Coalition has been meeting in South Florida to discuss restoration of America’s River of Grass. It’s safe to say that the topic of water management has been a major part of that discussion every year. This year is no different as the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual enters the home stretch.

  • December

    Before major lock maintenance and repairs can take place, the lock must be dewatered so that inspections and repair work can be done in relatively dry conditions. Using a barge-mounted crane, the crane operator and rigging crew set a needle dam girder (I-beam) in place in notches built into the lock chamber wall. Then, they place large metal panels known as “needles” against the I-Beam to form a wall called a “needle dam.” (USACE Jacksonville District photo from a 2012 maintenance repair project at the St. Lucie Lock in 2012)

    Army Corps of Engineers temporarily closes St. Lucie Lock for major maintenance and repairs

    STUART, Fla. (Dec. 28, 2020) – After a year of planning, coordination and notification, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a planned temporary closure of the St. Lucie Lock for major maintenance and repairs starting Jan. 4, 2022, with completion expected no later than March 31.