RECOVER

Picayune Strand Pump Station

RECOVER (REstoration COordination & VERification) is a multi-agency team of scientists, modelers, planners and resource specialists who organize and apply scientific and technical information in ways that are essential in supporting the objectives of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

The RECOVER team conducts scientific and technical evaluations and assessments for improving CERP’s ability to restore, preserve and protect the south Florida ecosystem while providing for the region's other water-related needs. RECOVER applies a system-wide perspective to the planning and implementation of the CERP and communicates and coordinates the results of these evaluations and assessments to managers, decision makers and the public.

 

 

2024 Everglades System Status Report: Assessment Period 2018–2024

This System Status Report documents the measurement of ecological indicators and performance measures and their application to assess conditions in the Everglades’ ecosystems for the water years 2018-2024 (May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2024). This information provides feedback to decision-makers on the ecological response to past restoration activities and informs the timing of planning for Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects yet to be implemented. This report also informs adaptive management actions and identifies uncertainties that need further study to assure restoration success.

This 2024 System Status Report also provides the scientific basis/foundation for the 2025 Report to Congress required by the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. Produced every five years, the intent of the Report to Congress is to inform the highest levels of the U.S. government on the progress made toward restoration.

 

Public and Agency Review and Comment Period

RECOVER invites all to review and provide comments on the draft 2024 System Status Report during the public and agency review and comment period starting Oct. 18, 2024 to Nov. 8, 2024. The draft 2024 SSR is available at:  2024 SSR

Please submit comments to 2024SSR-Comments@USACE.ARMY.MIL no later than Friday, November 8, 2024 (Recommended Subject: “2024 SSR”). You may use this spreadsheet  to record your comments and send as an attachment.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Use the links below to access answers to frequently asked questions.
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 What is the 2024 System Status Report (SSR)?  

The 2024 System Status Report (SSR) is RECOVER’s report assessing the status and trends of the ecosystem and other water-related needs during the reporting period of water years 2018-2024 (May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2024).  It uses hydrological and ecological indicators to address whether the goals and purposes of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan are being met.

 How will the 2024 System Status Report (SSR) be used?

This 2024 SSR provides feedback to decision-makers on the status and trends of ecological responses and other water-related needs to past restoration activities and informs the timing of planning for Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects yet to be implemented. This 2024 System Status Report also provides the scientific basis/foundation for the 2025 Report to Congress. 

 What is the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)?

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is the largest aquatic ecosystem restoration effort in the nation, spanning over 18,000 square miles, and is designed to improve the health of more than 2.4 million acres. CERP was authorized by Congress in 2000 and consists of projects that are designed to “restore, preserve, and protect the south Florida ecosystem while providing for other water-related needs of the region, including water supply and flood protection.” Visit EvergladesRestoration.gov to learn more.

 Who is RECOVER?

REstoration COordination, & VERification (RECOVER) is an interdisciplinary collaboration of agencies, tribes, and institutions that conducts scientific and technical evaluations and assessments to improve the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan’s ability to restore, preserve, and protect the south Florida ecosystem while providing for the region’s other water-related needs. This collaboration includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Water Management District, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Seminole Tribe of Florida, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. See RECOVER for more information.

 What is a water year and why use it?

Water managers and ecologists measure time using a “water year” synchronized with the annual hydrologic cycle instead of the calendar year because hydrologic conditions in the Everglades are characterized by an annual cycle of distinctly wet and dry seasons. May 1 marks the beginning of the wet season and November 1 marks the beginning of the dry season. The water year (WY) begins on May 1 of the preceding calendar year and ends on April 30. For example, WY2018 began on May 1, 2017 and ended on April 30, 2018. This is similar to high school classes being identified by the year of graduation.

 What time periods are examined in the 2024 System Status Report (SSR)?

The 2024 SSR examines the status and trends of ecological indicators and other water-related needs using three time periods: 

Baseline Period

The baseline period is Water Year 2005-Water Year 2017 which encompasses May 1, 2004-April 30, 2017. Most RECOVER-funded monitoring was implemented in 2005. Water Year 2005, which started on May 1, 2004, is included in this range to maintain consistency with water year reporting. 

Current Reporting Period

The change from baseline (or trend) is examined by comparing the current reporting period to the baseline period. The Current Reporting Period is Water Year 2018 – Water Year 2024 which encompasses May 1, 2017-April 30, 2024.

Current Status

The current status is examined using Water Year 2024 (or the most recent water year with data available). Water Year 2024 encompasses May 1, 2023-April 30, 2024.

 What implemented projects (or project components) are considered in the 2024 System Status Report (SSR)?

Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) Projects

Non-CERP

Foundation Projects

  • Picayune Strand Restoration
  • Indian River Lagoon-South
  • Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands 
  • C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project 
  • Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual 
  • Tamiami Trail Next Steps Phase 2

 

  • Kissimmee River Restoration Project 
  • Combined Operational Plan/Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park/C-111 South Dade
 How can I learn more about RECOVER or the 2024 System Status Report?

Visit RECOVER for more information.

To sign up for RECOVER email updates on the upcoming 2024 System Status Report please email: jazika.levario@usace.army.mil

 

2024 System Status Report

To sign up for RECOVER email updates on the upcoming 2024 System Status Report email: jazika.levario@usace.army.mil

Additional RECOVER Info

  1. System Status Reports
  2. Adaptive Management
  3. Assistance to Projects
  4. Conceptual Ecological Models
  5. Interim Goals & Targets
  6. RECOVER Team
  7. Monitoring & Assessment Plan (page under construction)
  8. Performance Measures
    • Greater Everglades PM Docs
    • Lake Okeechobee Watershed PM Docs (page under construction)
    • Northern Estuaries PM Docs (page under construction)
    • Southern Coastal Systems PM Docs (page under construction)
    • System-wide PM Docs (page under construction)
    • Total System PM Docs (page under construction)
    • Water Supply and Flood Protection PM Docs (page under construction)
  9. Recover Reviews (page under construction)
  10. System-wide Modeling (page under construction)

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