Record of Decision signed for C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project

Published Sept. 6, 2012
A 590-acre Frog Pond Detention Area, a component of the C-111 Spreader Canal Weastern Project, has three cells and three emergency spillways that are used to retain water in Everglades National Park by decreasing seepage to the east into the C-111 Canal. 
Photo Credit: South Florida Water Management District

A 590-acre Frog Pond Detention Area, a component of the C-111 Spreader Canal Weastern Project, has three cells and three emergency spillways that are used to retain water in Everglades National Park by decreasing seepage to the east into the C-111 Canal. Photo Credit: South Florida Water Management District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District received a signed Record of Decision for the C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project in Miami-Dade County, Fla., July 19, 2012. The Record of Decision, signed by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy, has been transmitted to Congress for authorization.

"The C-111 Spreader Canal project has come through important milestones since 2009 to arrive in the halls of Congress," said USACE project manager Tim Brown. "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our project team, whose professionalism, dedication to the mission and firm persistence helped push this project through and achieve this milestone."

The C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project focuses on the restoration of flows to Florida Bay via Taylor Slough in Everglades National Park as well as the restoration of the Southern Glades and Model Lands and other associated wetlands and estuarine systems. It plays an integral role in meeting the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) system-wide ecosystem restoration goals and objectives.

The USACE Jacksonville District, in cooperation with its co-sponsor, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), completed a Final Project Implementation Report (PIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project in January 2011. This final report describes the project purpose and need, location, evaluation of the alternatives and the recommended plan.

After former Acting Chief of Engineers Maj. Gen. Merdith W.B. Temple signed the Chief of Engineers Report for the project Jan. 30, 2012, the report was submitted to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works for review. The Record of Decision was signed after the Office of Management and Budget provided its review.

The signed Record of Decision, Final PIR/EIS and additional information on the C-111 Spreader Canal Western project is available online at the C-111 Spreader Canal Western project page.