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Western Everglades Restoration Project

The Western Everglades Restoration Plan (WERP) seeks to use a series of active and passive water management features and water quality features, and make alterations to existing canals and levees in order meet several goals:

  • Reestablish sheetflow across the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and into Big Cypress National Preserve.
  • Maintain existing levels of flood protection.
  • Ensure that inflows to the North and West Feeder canals meet applicable water quality standards.

This map shows the WERP project area, with overlays indicating tribal lands of the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes, and proposed features and their locations in Alternative Hr, the tentatively selected plan. Features are not to scale, and do not represent final placement. The need for additional culverts along 11-Mile road, US-41, Loop Road, and the Jetport will be evaluated following final modeling.

This map shows features proposed for WERP Alternative H4, the tentatively selected plan. (View full-size map)

Project Status

The WERP Project Delivery Team (PDT) is pursuing a second exemption to the 3x3x3 SMART Planning policy for additional time and funding. The PDT is moving forward with the plan formulation and anticipates completion of the signed Chief's Report in March 2022.

Chevron graphic showing timeline for the study. The phases and associated milestones are study scoping (alternatives milestone), alternative evaluations & analysis (tentatively selected plan [TSP] milestone and agency decision milestone), feasibility level analysis (final report milestone), and chief's report (chief's report milestone). The Vertical Team announced an array alternatives in November 2016. The TSP announcement is scheduled for March 2021. Agency endorsement of the recommended plan is scheduled for June 2021. The final report is scheduled for release in November 2021. The final chief's report is scheduled for transmittal to Congress in March 2022.

Background

The original Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) project identified to restore and reconnect the western Everglades ecosystem was called the Big Cypress/L-28 Interceptor Modification. The purpose of this project, as defined within the CERP, is to reestablish sheet flow from the West Feeder Canal across the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and into BCNP, maintain flood protection on Seminole Tribal lands, and ensure that inflows to the North and West Feeder Canals meet applicable water quality standards.

Project features considered under CERP include modification of levees and canals, water control structures, pumps, and stormwater treatment areas with a total storage capacity of 7,600 acre-feet located within and adjacent to the Miccosukee and Seminole Indian Reservations in Collier and Hendry Counties. This CERP component will serve as the starting point for the WERP and will be refined through the planning process.

WERP STUDY OBJECTIVES
1. Restore freshwater flow paths, flow volumes and timing, seasonal hydroperiods, and historic distributions of sheetflow to re-establish ecological connectivity and ecological resilience of the wetland/upland mosaic.
2. Restore water levels to reduce wildfires associated with altered hydrology, which damage the geomorphic and associated ecological conditions of the western Everglades.
3. Restore aquatic low nutrient (oligotrophic) conditions to reestablish and sustain native flora and fauna.

WERP Project Timeline
WERP Kickoff Aug 2016
Tentative Selected Plan (TSP) Mar 2021*
DRAFT PIR/EIS May 2021*
Agency Decision Milestone (ADM) Jul 2021*
Final PIR/EIS Dec 2021*
Chief’s Report Milestone Mar 2022*

* Pending 2nd Waiver Approval

Info & Meetings

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.

Project Delivery Team Meetings

Project Delivery Team (PDT) meetings enable federal, state and local agencies and tribal governments to provide their input into the Western Everglades Restoration Project. Members of the public may attend PDT meetings and provide public comment at the end of the meeting.

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The purpose of this WERP PDT meeting was to show model outputs and sub-team responses to the model outputs thus far. We are seeking feedback from the PDT on proposed preliminary "merged alternatives" as described in the last PDT.

Meeting documents will be posted when finalized.

 
Meeting canceled.
 

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Public Scoping Meetings & Workshops

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). 

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

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:

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.

Sign up for WERP Email Updates

Public Meeting Materials

PDT Meeting Materials

Points of Contact

Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
904-232-1794

Project Manager
South Florida Water Management District
561-682-6324

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Project Documents