U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District issues Notice of Availability of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Final Project Implementation Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement (PIR/EIS)             

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), this letter constitutes the Notice of Availability of the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Final Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement (PIR/EIS).

The purpose of the WERP is to improve the quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of water needed to restore and reconnect the western Everglades ecosystem. WERP will reestablish ecological connectivity from the northwest portion of the study area, across the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Big Cypress Reservation (SBCR) and into Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP), while maintaining flood protection and ensuring that inflows meet applicable water quality standards. The proposed action is located within Hendry, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Collier counties, Florida. 

The recommended plan, known as Alternative Hybrid Natural Flow Revised (ALTHNFR), would achieve these benefits by re-distributing water to several major remnant flow ways that lie directly south and southeast of the Wingate Mill and West Feeder canals, including Kissimmee Billy Strand and Cowbell Strand. Construction and operation of the North Feeder Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) by the South Florida Water Management District within the C-139 Annex will direct treated water from the North Feeder Canal Sub-Basin to Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A via the L-3 canal. Rerouting water from the West Feeder Canal Sub-basin south into the forested wetlands of the study area by modifying portions of the Wingate Mill and Lard Can canals, combined with the construction and operation of open and gated culverts, will facilitate hydro pattern restoration in portions of the SBCR, BCNP, and in the L-28 Triangle area, which is located entirely within the boundaries of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians’ Alligator Alley Reservation (MAAR). Backfilling portions of the L-28 Interceptor canal and the L-28 North canal, in combination with degrading portions of the associated levees, will re-establish ecological connectivity in areas adjacent to Mullet Slough. Full backfill and degrade of the L-28 Tieback with full backfill of the L-28 South canal south of structure 344 (S-344), in combination with the construction of three adjustable control structures and a plug in the Tamiami Trail canal, will reconnect portions of WCA 3A to BCNP. Southern portions of BCNP, including New River and Sweetwater Strands will receive increased flows.

The Final PIR/EIS is available for your review on the Jacksonville District’s Environmental planning website and on the project website:

Jacksonville District > About > Divisions-Offices > Planning > Environmental Branch > Environmental Documents (army.mil)

(On the above page, click on the “+” next to “Multiple Counties”. Scroll down to the project name).

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Ecosystem-Restoration/Western-Everglades-Restoration-Project/

The review period for the Final PIR/EIS will close on October 28, 2024. Questions concerning the project can be submitted to Mrs. Melissa Nasuti by telephone at 904-232-1368 or by email at Western.Everglades@usace.army.mil.  

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   USACE is hosting a Western Everglades Restoration Project Update

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District will be hosting an update on the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) on April 17, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) station, Southwest Florida Research & Education Center, 2685 State Road 29 North in Immokalee, FL.

The USACE / South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) team will provide an update to the project since the last public meeting on January 17, 2024. This will be an “Open House” style question/answer period where USACE and SFWMD staff will be able to interact with attendees.

The purpose of the WERP is to improve the quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of water needed to restore and reconnect the western Everglades ecosystem. Public engagement is encouraged!

WERP will reestablish ecological connectivity from the northwest portion of the study area, across the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Big Cypress Reservation (SBCR) and into Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP), while maintaining flood protection and ensuring that inflows meet applicable water quality standards. The proposed action is located within Hendry, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Collier counties, Florida. 

For more information, please visit:  http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Ecosystem-Restoration/Western-Everglades-Restoration-Project/

The feedback that we receive from stakeholders and members of the public provides important local knowledge that informs our decision-making process.

USACE hosting a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) meeting for the WERP Draft PIR/EIS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District will be hosting a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) meeting for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Draft Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement (PIR/EIS) on January 17, 2024 from 5:00-8:00 pm at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) station, Southwest Florida Research & Education Center, 2685 State Road 29 North in Immokalee, FL. The virtual only meeting will be January 18, 2024 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. The link and call-in information is listed below.

The USACE / South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) team will provide an overview of the project and contents of the Draft Report. An “Open House” style question/answer period will follow the formal comment period where USACE and SFWMD staff will be able to interact with attendees.

Public engagement is encouraged.  The public comment period on the WERP Draft PIR/EIS is open with comments due January 29, 2024.

The purpose of the WERP is to improve the quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of water needed to restore and reconnect the western Everglades ecosystem.  WERP will reestablish ecological connectivity from the northwest portion of the study area, across the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Big Cypress Reservation (SBCR) and into Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP), while maintaining flood protection and ensuring that inflows meet applicable water quality standards. The proposed action is located within Hendry, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Collier counties, Florida. 

The tentatively selected plan (TSP), known as Alternative Hybrid Natural Flow Revised (ALTHNFR), would achieve these benefits by re-distributing water to several major remnant flow ways that lie directly south and southeast of the Wingate Mill and West Feeder canals, including Kissimmee Billy Strand and Cowbell Strand. Construction of the North Feeder Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) within the C-139 Annex will direct treated water from the North Feeder Canal Sub-Basin to Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A via the L-3 canal. Rerouting water from the West Feeder Canal Sub basin south into the forested wetlands of the study area by backfilling portions of the Wingate Mill and Lard Can canals will facilitate hydropattern restoration in portions of the SBCR, BCNP, and in the L-28 Triangle area, which is located entirely in the boundaries of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians’ Alligator Alley Reservation (MAAR). Backfilling portions of the L-28 Interceptor canal and the L-28 North canal, in combination with degrading portions of the associated levees, will re-establish ecological connectivity in areas adjacent to Mullet Slough. Full backfill and degrade of the L-28 Tieback with full backfill of the L-28 South canal south of structure 344 (S-344), in combination with the construction of three adjustable control structures and a plug in the Tamiami Trail canal, will reconnect portions of WCA 3A to BCNP. Southern portions of BCNP, including New River and Sweetwater Strands will receive increased flows.

The Draft PIR/EIS is available for your review on the Jacksonville District’s Environmental planning website and on the project website:

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/  

(On the above page, click on the “+” next to “Multiple Counties”, row 13).

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Ecosystem-Restoration/Western-Everglades-Restoration-Project/

USACE requests that comments be submitted to Western.Everglades@usace.army.mil no later than Monday, January 29, 2024.

USACE appreciates the ongoing efforts of the public to stay informed and remain engaged in our projects and we look forward to your feedback at the NEPA meeting for the WERP Draft (PIR/EIS) on January 17, 2024 from 5:00-8:00 pm at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) station, Southwest Florida Research & Education Center, 2685 State Road 29 North in Immokalee, FL.

Please join the US Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District for the Western Everglades Restoration Project - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Public Virtual Meeting on January 18, 2024 from 5:00-8:00 pm. This Meeting is Virtual ONLY. The team will provide an overview of the project and contents of the Draft Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement (PIR/EIS). There will be an opportunity to provide your comments.

https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden

Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712

Access code: 199 665 6695#

Attendee ID: 173515#

The feedback that we receive from stakeholders and members of the public provides important local knowledge that informs our decision-making process.

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USACE announces availability of WERP draft PIR/EIS available for review and public comment

The Jacksonville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announces publication of the Draft Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP). The Corps is requesting that comments be submitted in writing to Western.Everglades@usace.army.mil by January 29, 2024. All comments should include “WERP Draft PIR/EIS Comments” in the subject line. Comments may also be submitted by January 29, 2024, to the following address:

Melissa Nasuti

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Jacksonville District

701 San Marco Boulevard

Jacksonville, Florida 32207

Please use the links below to download the Draft PIR/EIS for WERP (note: large files may take a few minutes to download):

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/

(On the above page, click on the “+” next to “Multiple Counties”, row 13)

A printed copy of the Draft PIR/EIS for WERP is also available at the following libraries:

CLEWISTON PUBLIC LIBRARY      

120 W OSCEOLA AVENUE                                                         

CLEWISTON, FLORIDA  33440                                                  

IMMOKALEE BRANCH LIBRARY

417 NORTH 1ST STREET

IMMOKALEE, FLORIDA 34142

Working-Group-Sponsored Public Workshop - June 22, 2017

The South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Working Group hosted public workshop for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) on June 22 in Clewiston.  The Working Group sponsored the public workshop to facilitate public  participation in the WERP planning process. This workshop focused on modeling efforts for WERP, including the approach, strategy, and  available tools. The Task Force provides feedback from workshops to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). 

• Additional information, including presentations and handouts   

PUBLIC WORKSHOP - August 23, 2016

A public workshop for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) was sponsored by the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Working Group to engage the public in an exchange of technical information related to hydrology and land cover in the study area.

10 AM - 4 PM (ET)
John Boy Auditorium, 1200 South W.C. Owen Avenue, Clewiston, Florida 33440

•  View Additional Information
  

PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING – August 16, 2016

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District hosted a public scoping meeting to discuss and seek input on the Western Everglades Restoration Project. Interested individuals, groups and agencies were encouraged to attend the meeting to provide comments and ask questions.

6:00 PM (ET) - Open House
6:30 PM (ET) - Formal Presentation and Public Comments
John Boy Auditorium, 1200 South W.C. Owen Avenue, Clewiston, Florida 33440

Meeting Documents:

• Revised Agenda
• Presentation
• Handouts
• Video of Meeting 
• Meeting Transcript

The Western Everglades Restoration project is a new planning effort aimed at improving the quality, quantity, timing and distribution of water needed to restore and reconnect the western Everglades ecosystem. Comments were accepted on the project through August 24, 2016, by sending comments electronically to:  Western.Everglades@usace.army.mil or mailed to:

 Melissa Nasuti
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District
P.O. Box 4970
Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019

This public meeting was held in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), with the sole purpose of soliciting input on the project as it enters into its preliminary planning stage.  Input received during this meeting was used in the development of the project’s NEPA report. This report will be included as part of the Project Implementation Report that, when completed and approved, will be submitted to Congress for authorization and appropriations.