USACE announces open house for Western Everglades Restoration Project
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District and the South Florida Water Management District will host a Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Open House Dec. 13 and 14, 2023. The purpose of the event is to enable meaningful dialogue between our Stakeholders and Project Team members on the proposed WERP Project features. Both events will be identical, we are hosting in two locations to provide opportunity for greater participation.
The events will be held at the following dates/times/locations:
Dec. 13, 2023 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
John Boy Auditorium
1200 W C Owen Ave
Clewiston, FL 33440
Dec. 14, 2023 5 p. m. to 8 p.m.
Big Cypress National Preserve
33100 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL 34141
The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District on the district’s website at www.saj.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict, Twitter at www.twitter.com/JaxStrong, and Instagram at www.instagram.com/jacksonvilledistrict or for more information about WERP visit: Western Everglades Restoration Project (army.mil)
USACE hosts a Virtual Project Delivery Team Meeting Nov. 1 to provide an update on the Western Everglades Restoration Project – an essential part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (USACE) and our partners at the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will provide the public, stakeholders and restoration partners an update on the status of the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) during a virtual-only WERP Project Delivery Team Meeting on November 1, 2023, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Through coordination and collaboration with the WERP Project Delivery Team (PDT), USACE and the SFWMD have reached the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) study milestone. The TSP is Alternative Hybrid Natural Flow Revised (Alt HNFR). Alterative HNFR addresses input received at the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting in June 2023. The details of Alt HNFR are available in Western Everglades Restoration Project updated WERP placemat: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll11/id/6551.
“As a result of the feedback we received on our previously proposed alternative, the West Feeder Basin will now be returned to a more natural, rain driven flow-way,” said WERP Project Manager Steve Baisden.
Virtual Project Delivery Team Meeting Instructions:
- Unless you are calling in only and will not be viewing the virtual meeting, please sign in on the virtual meeting website first and, when prompted, select the audio connection “Call Me” option. This will allow the meeting to call you directly and may operate better than if you opt to dial in.
- At the beginning of the meeting, please sign in via chat and include your first and last name, agency or group affiliation if applicable, and email. PDT members should also include the PDT designation.
- Please mute your phone unless you are speaking, and do not put the call on hold.
- PDT members should provide their full name and the agency or group that they represent when speaking.
- Members of the public will have an opportunity to provide comments during the specified public comment periods.
Please join us for a Virtual-only WERP Project Delivery Team Meeting
Virtual-only WERP Project Delivery Team Meeting
November 1, 2023, from 1 to 5 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
“The team is preparing the Draft Project Implementation Report for release to the public for review and comment. We expect to release the Draft Report in December 2023,” said Baisden. “You will have 45 days to review and provide comments. We will issue a news release with information on how to review and provide comment on the document, and hold a meeting to discuss the details in the near future.”
THE AUG 31 OPEN HOUSE AND WERP PDT MEETING HAVE BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO HURRICANE IDALIA AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED.
USACE hosts Open House prior to Western Everglades Restoration Project Delivery Team Meeting on August 31 in Immokalee
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District and our partners at the South Florida Water Management District will host an Open House from noon to 1 p.m. prior to the hybrid Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Project Delivery Team Meeting in-person in Immokalee and also via WebEx, scheduled for Thursday, August 31, from 1 to 4 p.m.
“The Corps and South Florida Water Management District will host an informal Open House for the Western Everglades Restoration Project at Immokalee Community Park prior to the Project Delivery Team Meeting at 1 p.m. in the same location,” said WERP Project Manager Steve Baisden. “Starting at noon, we will have maps of our proposed plan and team members available to discuss the plan and answer any questions.”
“The formal Project Delivery Team Meeting will follow from 1 to 4 p.m. at the same location as originally scheduled,” said Baisden. “We hope that everyone will be able to join us either in-person or virtually, to discuss the Western Everglades Restoration Project status and refinements to our proposed Alternative HNF, or Hybrid Natural Flow.”
Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Open House:
Thursday, August 31, 2023, 12 to 1 p.m.
Immokalee Community Park
321 N. 1st Street
Immokalee, FL 34142
239-252-4449
(to be followed by a Project Delivery Team Meeting from 1 to 4 p.m.)
The Project Delivery Team (PDT) members include only the federal officials and elected officers of state, local or tribal governments or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf acting in their official capacities.
Members of the public (PUBLIC) are welcome to attend the government agency PDT meeting and provide comment during the designated Public Comment periods.
Hybrid Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting
In Person:
Thursday, August 31, 2023, 1 to 4 p.m.
Immokalee Community Park
321 N. 1st Street
Immokalee, FL 34142
239-252-4449
Via WebEx:
Thursday, August 31, 2023, 1 to 4 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
THE AUG 31 OPEN HOUSE AND WERP PDT MEETING HAVE BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO HURRICANE IDALIA AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announces a Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Project Delivery Team Meeting in-person in Immokalee and also via WebEx, scheduled for Thursday, August 31, from 1 to 4 p.m.
“Please join us in person or virtually to discuss the Western Everglades Restoration Project status and refinements to our proposed Alternative HNF, or Hybrid Natural Flow,” said WERP Project Manager Steve Baisden. “We want to thank everyone who continues to be engaged on this project, as we move it forward together.”
The Project Delivery Team (PDT) members include only the federal officials and elected officers of state, local or tribal governments or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf acting in their official capacities.
Members of the public (PUBLIC) are welcome to attend the government agency PDT meeting and provide comment during the designated Public Comment periods.
Hybrid Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting
In Person:
Thursday, August 31, 2023, 1 to 4 p.m.
Immokalee Community Park
321 N. 1st Street
Immokalee, FL 34142
239-252-4449
Via WebEx:
Thursday, August 31, 2023, 1 to 4 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
*PLEASE log into the webinar first and have it call your phone in order to avoid background noise so all participants can hear the discussion clearly.
Please mute your phone and mute your computer upon joining the meeting.
USACE to host Virtual Project Delivery Team Meeting for the Western Everglades Restoration Project on Feb. 24
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District invites partners, stakeholders, and the public to join us for to a Virtual Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to receive an update on the replacement of the Wingate Mill STA feature and path forward.
If you are joining the meetings virtually, *PLEASE log into the webinar first and have it call your phone in order to avoid background noise so all participants can hear the discussion clearly.
Please mute your phone and mute your computer upon joining the meeting.
Virtual Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting
Western Everglades Restoration Project
Friday, February 24, 2023
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
Corps to host Virtual Project Delivery Team Meeting and Listening Session for the Western Everglades Restoration Project on Jan. 17
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District invites partners, stakeholders, and the public to join us for to a Virtual Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting and Listening Session for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We invite Project Delivery Team members, tribes, landowners, partners, stakeholders and the public to join us at a Virtual Project Delivery Team Meeting and Listening Session to receive an update on the Western Everglades Restoration Project and for us to listen to you,” said WERP Project Manager Steve Baisden. “Members of the PDT and the public will have an opportunity to provide input related to the Wingate Mill Area to the Project Delivery Team. This invitation is open to ALL.”
“We request that the information provided focus on the West Feeder Basin, an area that includes runoff collected from the Lard Can and Wingate Mill Canals,” said Baisden. “We are specifically looking for feedback on a replacement for the water quality feature, the Wingate Mill Stormwater Treatment Area (STA). The input can include ideas on how to lower the nutrients in the water column, or discussion or presentations on water quality and water flow (hydrology) in the watershed. Presentations should be limited to 10 minutes, with a 5-minute question and answer period, to ensure that we have enough time to listen to everyone’s ideas.”
If you are interested in presenting to the PDT during the meeting, please email your request to Western.Everglades@usace.army.mil as soon as possible to be added to the agenda, and email a copy of your presentation to the same email address no later than Tuesday, January 10.
If you are joining the meetings virtually, *PLEASE log into the webinar first and have it call your phone in order to avoid background noise so all participants can hear the discussion clearly.
Please mute your phone and mute your computer upon joining the meeting.
Virtual Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting and Listening Session
Western Everglades Restoration Project
Tuesday January 17, 2023
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
Meeting for Landowners for the Western Everglades Restoration Project
Wednesday August 10, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Immokalee Branch Public Library
417 N First Street
Immokalee, Florida 34142
The meeting will also be available virtually:
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting via WebEx
Thursday, July 7, 2022, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
Purpose: to discuss the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) and review the remaining schedule
Meeting for Landowners in the Wingate Mill area (west of Big Cypress Seminole Reservation) and the North Feeder Canal area
Friday June 3, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Big Cypress National Preserve Conference Room
33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida 34141
The meeting will also be available virtually:
Meeting for Landowners in the Wingate Mill area (west of Big Cypress Seminole Reservation) and the North Feeder Canal area (Meeting via WebEx)
Friday June 3, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
Meeting for Landowners in the JetPort, Looneyville, Big Cypress National Park, and along Tamiami Trail and Loop Road
Thursday June 2, 7 to 9 p.m.
Big Cypress National Preserve Conference Room
33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida 34141
The meeting will also be available virtually:
Meeting for Landowners in the JetPort, Looneyville, Big Cypress National Park, and along Tamiami Trail and Loop Road (Meeting via WebEx)
Thursday June 2, 7 to 9 p.m.
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting via WebEx
February 28, 2022, 10 a.m. to noon
https://usace1.webex.com/meet/stephen.a.baisden
Call-In Number: 1-844-800-2712
Access code: 199 665 6695#
Attendee ID: 173515#
We will be discussing the WERP study restart, progress made prior to the suspension in December 2020 and the path forward.
Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting via Webinar
September 21, 2020, 9 to 11 a.m.
Western Everglades Restoration Project – Project Delivery Team Meeting
PDT Meeting Agenda September 21, 2020
Call in # (877) 873-8017 9:00-11:00 am
Access Code: 6992320 #
Security Code: 1234
WEB Address: https://usace.webex.com/meet/zulamet.z.vega-liriano
**********Please keep phones on mute unless you are speaking and do not place call on hold**********
View the Final Agenda for the Sept. 21, 2020 WERP PDT Meeting
View the Sept. 21, 2020 WERP PDT Meeting Presentation and ALT HR MODELING INFORMATION
1. Roll Call Steve Baisden, USACE 0900
2. Overview – Project Status and Schedule Steve Baisden, USACE 0910
3. Alternative Hr Modeling Results
a. Modeling Assumptions Overview Larry Brion, SFWMD 0920
b. Modeling Results Discussion Karin Smith, SFWMD 0940
4. Sub-team Updates
a. Plan Formulation Zulamet Vega-Liriano, USACE 1000
b. Real Estate Don Nelson, USACE 1010
c. EN/Modeling Joel Gaillard, USACE 1020
d. Environmental Melissa Nasuti, USACE 1030
5. Stakeholder Comments 1040
6. Public Comment 1050
7. Adjourn 1100
Coordination & Upcoming Meetings
1. Review of Action Items Identified Today
2. Next PDT Meeting: October-November 2020
Project Schedule (pending Waiver request approval)
Assurance Modeling Started 30 July (A)
SFWMD Topographic Survey Field Work Started 31 August (A)
Prelim Real Estate Analysis Started 30 September
Habitat Unit Calculations Started 30 September
SFWMD Topographic Survey Report Started 5 October
Hydraulic Modeling Started 16 October
CE/ICA Started 16 October
EN Conceptual Design Started 30 October
Real Estate Policy Waiver 1 October 30 October
Tentatively Selected Plan March 2021
Release DRAFT PIR/EIS for Public Review May 2021
Agency Decision Milestone July 2021
Final PIR/EIS December 2021
Chief’s Report March 2022
Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Project Delivery Team (PDT) Meeting via Webinar June 10 11-12
Please call/login for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Project Delivery Team (PDT).
June 10, 2020 11--12
Call in: 1-877-336-1274
Access code: 8727827
Security Code: 0610
https://usace.webex.com/meet/amy.d.thompson
Purpose: Update the PDT on the status and path forward for the study.
WERP Sub-team Meetings
*WERP EN/Modeling Sub-team Meeting*
Bi-weekly meeting on Mondays @ 1pm **
https://usace.webex.com/join/zulamet.z.vega-liriano
Call-in: (877) 873-8017 | (636) 651-3181
Access code: 6992320 #
Security: 1234
Next meeting: Monday, April 8th @ 1pm
Purpose: Discuss Alt H refinements
*WERP Savings Clause & Assurances Sub-team Meeting*
Weekly meeting on Thursdays @ 10am **
https://usace.webex.com/join/zulamet.z.vega-liriano
Call-in: (877) 873-8017 | (636) 651-3181
Access code: 6992320 #
Security: 1234
Next meeting: Thursday, April 11th @ 10am
Purpose: Discuss ongoing analysis for Savings Clause
**Meeting times and dates are subject to change. Please contact Stephen Baisden at (904) 232-1794 or stephen.a.baisden@usace.army.mil to confirm date, time, and call-in information.
PDT Teleconference August 20, 2019
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a Project Delivery Team (PDT) meeting for the Western Everglades Restoration Project on August 20, 1:00 – 2:00 PM (EST).
Meeting number: 877-848-7030
Access Code: 8206346
Security Code: 1234
During this meeting, project team members will provide an update on the Western Everglades Restoration Project.
PDT meetings enable federal, state and local agencies and tribal governments to provide their input for the Western Everglades Restoration Project. Members of the public may attend the PDT meeting and provide public comment both during and at the end of the meeting.
Documents:
- Meeting Agenda (to be provided closer to meeting)
NEPA Comment Response Matrix Available Online - November 28, 2016
The comment response matrix for the Western Everglades Restoration Project is now available online. The matrix captures all of the comments received during the 45-day public comment period held July 11 - August 24, 2016 and responses. The public comment period was held in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to solicit input from federal, state, and local agencies; Native American Tribes; and other interested private organizations and members of the public.