The Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project (LRWRP, formerly known as North Palm Beach County - Part 1) is a part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Planning efforts for the project were put on hold in 2011. Existing plan formulation data and analysis were used in the development of a final plan, known as an integrated Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement, to prepare for congressional authorization to construct the project.

The renewed purpose of the LRWRP is to restore and sustain the overall quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of fresh waters to the federally designated “National Wild and Scenic” Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River for current and future generations. This project also seeks to restore, sustain, and reconnect the area’s wetlands and watersheds that form the historic headwaters for the river. Implementation of the project will provide multiple benefits:

• Help restore more natural water deliveries.
• Promote improved health and functionality of wetland and upland areas.
• Increase the quantity and quality of habitat available for native wildlife and vegetation.

The project area includes approximately 753 square miles located in central and northern Palm Beach County and southern Martin County. Within that area are Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Pal Mar East/Cypress Creek, Dupuis Wildlife and Environmental Management Areas, J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Grassy Waters Preserve, Loxahatchee Slough, the last remaining riverine cypress stands in Southeast Florida in the Loxahatchee River, and the Loxahatchee River Estuary.

Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project

Public comment on Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, announces public comment on the Final Integrated Project Implementation Report (PIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Chief’s Report for the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project, part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Public comments are due March 9.

Please submit public comments to LoxRiverComments@usace.army.mil by Monday, March 9, 2020.

Written comments can be mailed to:
Dr. Ann Hodgson
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville District
P.O. Box 4970
Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019

 Final Integrated Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Chief's Report for the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project 
Note: Documents may take a few minutes to download due to large file size.

Final Integrated PIR and EIS

Appendix A: Engineering

Annex A-1: Hydraulic Design

Annex B-1: Geotechnical Design

Annex C-1: Plates

Annex G-1: Geological Investigations

Appendix B: Cost Engineering and Risk Analysis

Appendix C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, and C-5

Appendix D: Real Estate

Appendix E: Plan Formulation 

Appendix F: Recreation Analysis 

Appendix G: Benefit Model

Appendix H: Climate Change Assessment

Annex A: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act and ESA Compliance

Annex B: Analyses required by WRDA 2000 and Florida State Law 

Annex C: Draft Project Operating Manual

Annex D: AMMP

Annex E: RECOVER Reports

Annex F: Invasive and Nuisance Species 

Draft Chief's Report

PUBLIC MEETINGS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District invites the public to provide input on the draft PIR/EIS for the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project during the following public meetings:

Thursday, April 18, 2019, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Town of Jupiter Community Center, Room A/B, 200 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458

Friday April 19, 2019, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the South Florida Water Management District, B-1 Auditorium, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33416

DRAFT PIR/EIS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

The draft Project Implementation Report / Environmental Impact Statement for the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project is now available for public review. The public comment period ends May 6, 2019.

Submit comments to: LoxRiverComments@usace.army.mil

Written comments can be mailed to:
Dr. Ann Hodgson
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville District P.O. Box 4970
Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019

Use the links below to access the PDFs (large files may take a few minutes to download):

Draft integrated PIR/EIS
Appendices
Annexes A-D
Annexes E and F

PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM (PDT) MEETING - MAY 9, 2018

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be holding a Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting for the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project on Wednesday, May 9 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, 16450 S.E. Federal Highway, in Hobe Sound.

There will be limited phone and internet connectivity at this site, so call-in and web meeting services may not be available.  It is recommended to participate in person.

If connectivity allows, you can use this teleconference and web meeting access information:

Web Meeting Link: https://usace.webex.com/meet/orlando

Audio Connection: (888) 251-2909 Audio Access Code: 7368800 Audio Security Code: 2018

Meeting Documents:

• Draft Agenda
• Presentations

* Please note that it may take a few minutes for presentations to display.

PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING - Jan. 12, 2015

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, hosted a public scoping meeting to discuss the development of a draft National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assessment Document for the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project. The meeting provided all interested individuals, groups and agencies an opportunity to comment and ask questions.

Meeting Documents

• Agenda
• Presentation
• Handout
• Scoping Notice
• Meeting Transcript

Comments on the project were accepted through Feb. 5, 2015.