SAJ-2025-00925; SAJ-2025-02208; SAJ-2025-01179 (SP-RJP)

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received an application for a Department of the Army permit pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1344) and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. §403). The purpose of this public notice is to solicit comments from the public regarding the work described below:

If you are interested in receiving additional project drawings associated with this public notice, please send an e-mail to the project manager by electronic mail at Ryan.J.Poland@usace.army.mil

APPLICANT:  South Florida Water Management District  

                          ATTN: Drew Bartlett, Executive Director

                          3301 Gun Club Road

                         West Palm Beach , FL 33406

WATERWAY AND LOCATION: The project(s) would affect aquatic resources associated with the C-7 Canal (SAJ-2025-00925) at Latitude -80.1882578° Longitude 25.8510473°; C-8 Canal (SAJ-2025-02208) at Latitude -80.1808731° Longitude 25.8729547°; and C-9 Canal (SAJ-2025-01179) at Latitude -80.1515497° and Longitude 25.9291109°, at Section: 07, 09, 16, & 31; Township: 52 & 53; Range: 42, in Miami-Dade County, Florida. 

EXISTING CONDITIONS: The proposed projects are located within the same county, in close proximity to one another (approximately 8 miles), and are part of the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project’s interconnected water control system. Each site currently contains aging canal structures that provide local drainage, flood protection, and water conveyance functions authorized by Congress and have reached the end of their effective service life and no longer meet modern resiliency standards.

Collectively, the S-27 along the C-7 Canal; the S-28 along the C-8 Canal; and the S-29 along the C-9 Canal, form an essential part of the regional water management network, serving as critical control points that regulate flows between the primary canal system, adjacent developed urbans areas. The structures not only maintain flood protection and drainage capacity for surrounding communities, but also support water supply reliability, salinity control, and the overall resiliency of the basin in response to extreme rainfall events and managing sea level rise.

The Canals are engineered canal corridors with steep embankments, disturbed spoil areas, and managed littoral zones dominated by a mixture of native wetland plants and invasive or nuisance vegetation. Routine operational activities and long-term hydrologic alteration have limited the development of high-quality natural habitat within the immediate project footprints.

All three (3) locations are dominated by sediment on top of low-lying coastal limestone, where groundwater and surface water interactions are strong, leading to frequent ponding and limited drainage capacity during extreme rain events. The geology is characterized by porous Miami oolite limestone, which limits separation between surface and groundwater and influences how quickly stormwater moves through the system.

The region experiences the subtropical rainfall patterns of South Florida, with wet-season downpours, hurricane season exposure, and seasonal high groundwater contributing to periodic flood stress. While the site provides high-value flood protection potential for dense populations, the environmental sensitivities and logistical constraints of building in such a developed coastal corridor will be significant challenges.

SAJ-2025-00925: The existing S-27 structure is located along the C-7 Canal/Little River. The C-7 Canal/Little River is a tidal-influenced waterway, meaning saltwater intrusion and storm surge exacerbates backflow during hurricanes or other adverse tide events (please refer to Figure 2). Geologically, the site is underlain by porous limestone typical of Miami-Dade County, which makes infiltration limited and increases challenges for flood control.

The proposed project is bordered by the Canal to the north and east, the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad to the west, and northeast 82nd street to the south; and surrounded by medium to high-density residential development, commercial corridors, and green space. The area is highly urbanized with limited open space, and flooding is a recurring issue during heavy rainfall events due to low topography and stormwater infrastructure constraints.

SAJ-2025-02208: The existing S-28 water control structure is located adjacent to the Miami Shores Golf Course and adjacent properties. The project is bordered by medium-density residential, open space, and light commercial industrial.

SAJ-2025-01179: The existing S-29 Water Control Structure is located at the confluence of Maule Lake, the Oleta River, and the C-9 Canal.  The project location is surrounded by high-density residential towers, commercial corridors, and remnant wetland hardwood forests. The East Greynolds Park is located directly adjacent to the S-29 and would be used to increase the footprint of the new pump station (please refer to Figure 4).

PROJECT PURPOSE:

Basic:  Flood Risk Management (FRM)

Overall:  To reduce flood hazards, improve water management capacity, and enhance coastal system resiliency. These projects seek to provide reliable stormwater conveyance, reduce risks associated with seasonal rainfall, hurricanes, and sea-level rise, and improve the ability of the regional water management system to protect surrounding communities and infrastructure.

PROPOSED WORK:  The applicant is requesting to replace three (3) existing water control structures (WCS) to provide greater resiliency and FRM protections to the population of Miami-Dade County from storms and high-water events.  Each project would require construction of water management outfall structures to include in-water activities along with other drainage conveyance structures that discharge flows through U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorized outfall structures. The following describes each project in further detail. 

SAJ-2025-00925: The proposed project includes replacement of the existing S-27 spillway structure with a new concrete spillway structure and tieback wingwall to support 1,500 cfs. The project would include a stilling basin, service bridge, emergency backup generator, manatee protection system, remote operability and other associated features to minimize flood risk in the C-7 Basin. The project also includes demolition of existing S-27 spillway (please see Figure 5). The project proposes to remove exotic vegetation and replace with 1,290 linear foot living seawall, planting native trees to replace removed exotics.

SAJ-2025-02208:

The proposed project involves the replacement of the existing S-28 Water Control Structure with a new Pump Station and Spillway structure with a maximum capacity of 1,500 cfs. The new structure would feature control gates elevated operational components to improve reliability and reduce flood risks in the basin (please see Figure 6).

A temporary floodwater detention area would be constructed within a portion of the Miami Shores Golf Course near the S-28 Structure. The project would also include a living shoreline along the C-8 Canal to enhance both flood protection and ecological value. Canal bank elevation/increase would be constructed to connect the structure to higher ground, reducing vulnerability to storm surge. In addition, the project will strengthen secondary canal banks that convey flows to the C-8 Canal, improving system-wide flood control performance.

SAJ-2025-01179: The project includes construction of a new 2,500 cfs forward pump station with five primary pumps and one backup.  The project site would be powered by both electric motors and diesel engines. The existing control structure would be replaced, and other supporting facilities would be constructed, including a new Florida Power and Light (FPL) power feed, generator and control building, and onsite above-grade fuel storage (please see Figure 7).

The proposed project would raise the overall elevation and add an access road, security fencing, and stormwater exfiltration features to ensure efficient and reliable operations. In addition, a nature-based solutions component will be implemented at pickwick lake to provide complementary flood protection and ecological benefits.

AVOIDANCE AND MINIMIZATION: The applicant has provided the following information in support of efforts to avoid and/or minimize impacts to the aquatic environment: The applicant has committed to implement standard best management practices, including turbidity controls, limited construction footprints, protection of adjacent wetlands and aquatic habitats, and adherence to species protection conditions.

The Corps is currently reviewing the proposed activities under its authorities pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. As part of this review, the Corps is evaluating the scope of work and the means and methods to determine if any avoidance and minimization measures are needed to reduce impacts to aquatic resources. The Corps’ review process will consider these measures in its evaluation and determine whether additional compensatory mitigation is necessary to balance the ecological functions that may be lost as a result of the proposed work.

COMPENSATORY MITIGATION: As part of this evaluation, the Corps will assess the type and amount of aquatic resource impacts, the applicant’s proposed scope of work, and whether the project has incorporated all practicable avoidance and minimization measures. Only after this review will the Corps determine if compensatory mitigation is necessary to offset unavoidable losses of aquatic resource function.

If compensatory mitigation is required, it will be developed in coordination with the applicant and resource agencies and may involve the purchase of credits from an approved mitigation bank, participation in an in-lieu fee program, or permittee-responsible mitigation consistent with federal and state standards. The Corps’ decision will be based on ensuring that any required compensatory mitigation fully offsets any aquatic resource impacts as a result of the proposed projects.

CULTURAL RESOURCES: The Corps is evaluating the undertaking for effects to historic properties as required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. This public notice serves to inform the public of the proposed undertaking and invites comments including those from local, State, and Federal government Agencies with respect to historic resources. Our final determination relative to historic resource impacts may be subject to additional coordination with the State Historic Preservation Officer, federally recognized tribes and other interested parties. The District Engineer consulted district files and records and the latest published version of the National Register of Historic Places and initially determines that:

The District Engineer’s final eligibility and effect determination will be based upon coordination with the SHPO and/or THPO, as appropriate and required, and with full consideration given to the proposed undertaking’s potential direct and indirect effects on historic properties within the Corps-identified permit area.

ENDANGERED SPECIES: The Corps has performed an initial review of the application, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC), the U.S. Army Geospatial Information Data System, and the NMFS Critical Habitat Mapper to determine if any threatened, endangered, proposed, or candidate species, as well as the proposed and final designated critical habitat may occur in the vicinity of the proposed project. Based on this initial review, the Corps has made a preliminary determination that the proposed project may affect species and critical habitat listed below. No other ESA-listed species or critical habitat will be affected by the proposed action.

Table 1: ESA-listed species and/or critical habitat potentially present in the action area.

Pursuant to Section 7 ESA, any required consultation with the Service(s) will be conducted in accordance with 50 CFR part 402. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the lead Federal agency for ESA consultation for the proposed action. Any required consultation will be completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This notice serves as request to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service for any additional information on whether any listed or proposed to be listed endangered or threatened species or critical habitat may be present in the area which would be affected by the proposed activity.

ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT: Pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 1996, the Corps reviewed the project area, examined information provided by the applicant, and consulted available species information.

This notice initiates the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Our initial determination is that the proposed action may adversely affect EFH and/or fisheries managed by Fishery Management Councils and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Implementation of the proposed project would indirectly impact approximately 0.05 acres of Essential Fish Habitat for SAFMC (Spiny lobster and Snapper grouper) from the proposed S-27 Pump Station Project (SAJ-2025-00925); approximately 0.93 acres of Essential Fish Habitat for SAFMC (Spiny lobster and Snapper grouper) from the proposed S-28 Pump Station Project (SAJ-2025-02208); and approximately 0.00 acres of Essential Fish Habitat for SAFMC (Spiny lobster and Snapper grouper) from the proposed S-29 Pump Station Project (SAJ-2025-01179). The effects of the projects are determined to be minimal and temporary.

Our final determination relative to project impacts and the need for mitigation measures is subject to review by and coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

NAVIGATION: Based on the Florida State Plane coordinates provided by the applicant, the waterward edge of the proposed structure is located within the near bottom edge of the C-7, C-8, and C-9 federal channel.

SECTION 408: The applicant will require permission under Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 USC 408) because the activity, in whole or in part, would alter, occupy, or use a Corps Civil Works project.

WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION: A Water Quality Certification will be required from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT CONSISTENCY: Coastal Zone Consistency Concurrence is required from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In Florida, the State approval constitutes compliance with the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan

NOTE:  This public notice is being issued based on information furnished by the applicant. This information has not been verified or evaluated to ensure compliance with laws and regulation governing the regulatory program. The geographic extent of aquatic resources within the proposed project area that either are, or are presumed to be, within the Corps jurisdiction has been verified by Corps personnel.

EVALUATION: The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefits, which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal, must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the proposal will be considered including cumulative impacts thereof; among these are conservation, economics, esthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historical properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food, and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and in general, the needs and welfare of the people

Evaluation of the impact of the activity on the public interest will also include application of the guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, EPA, under authority of Section 404(b) of the Clean Water Act or the criteria established under authority of Section 102(a) of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. A permit will be granted unless its issuance is found to be contrary to the public interest.

COMMENTS: The Corps is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, State, and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes; and other Interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to determine whether to issue, modify, condition, or deny a permit for this proposal. To make this determination, comments are used to assess impacts to endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.

The Jacksonville District will receive written comments on the proposed work, as outlined above, until October 15, 2025. Comments should be submitted electronically via the Regulatory Request System (RRS) at https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs or to Ryan Poland at RyanJ.Poland@usace.army.mil. Alternatively, you may submit comments in writing to the Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Attention:  Ryan Poland (Project Manager) 4400 PGA Boulevard, Suite 500, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410.  Please refer to the permit application number in your comments.

Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice, that a public hearing be held to consider the application. Requests for public hearings shall state, with particularity, the reasons for holding a public hearing. Requests for a public hearing will be granted, unless the District Engineer determines that the issues raised are insubstantial or there is otherwise no valid interest to be served by a hearing.

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