JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT

The Picayune Strand Restoration Project, the first Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP) to begin construction, is being conducted in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District. When completed, the project will restore historic water flows that benefit coastal estuaries, recharge the aquifer, and protect the water supply, while maintaining current levels of flood protection. The restoration involves plugging 48 miles of canals, removing 260 miles of crumbling roads, and constructing three major pump stations, all of which will restore more than 55,000 acres of natural habitat in an area once partially developed for an intended sprawling residential area. 

Ecological benefits are already being seen at Picayune Strand as a result of the restoration work done to date. Native plants and animals are returning to the area, including the wood stork and endangered Florida panther. By restoring the hydrology in the area, the completed project will also directly benefit the southern Gulf Coast estuaries, improving juvenile fish habitats and increasing fish and bird populations, as well as providing recreational opportunities in the area.

Project Status - July 2018

Construction of Merritt Pump Station and Faka Union Pump Station has been completed.  The third and final pump station, Miller Pump Station, is under construction and scheduled for completion in summer 2019. Protection features are also being constructed that will enable the operation of all project components when construction is complete. Clearing and plugging activities on the Eastern Stair Steps began 11 July 2018. The team is preparing scope and scheduling wildlife surveys for road removal north of the tieback levees, which is scheduled to begin in August 2018. Modeling for the Southwest Protection Features is on hold pending receipt of additional information about local discharges from the Lipman Farms.  

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District celebrated the completion of the Merritt Pump Station alongside federal, state and local representatives and Everglades restoration supporters Oct. 24, 2014.   

• Oct. 24 Event News Release
• Oct. 24 Event Video
• Oct. 24 Event Photos
• Merritt Pump Station Overview

The Merritt Pump Station is a key piece of infrastructure for the Picayune Strand Restoration Project that will maintain current levels of flood protection while directing fresh water to drained wetlands located downstream. In addition to the pump station, the contract includes 95 miles of roadway that were removed and degraded and about 10 miles of canals that will be plugged to restore the natural flow of water in the area.

Federal appropriations provided more than $66 million in order to complete the Merritt Pump Station. This included approximately $40 million funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, which accelerated the construction schedule and helped create local jobs.

The Merritt Pump Station was the first CERP construction contract to begin. Progress also continues on the construction of the project’s other two pump stations, the Faka Union and Miller pump stations, with scheduled completion in 2015 and 2018, respectively.