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Nov. 9, 2017
SFWMD Governing Board Approves Agreements with USACE to Ensure Federal Cost Share for EAA Storage Reservoir
Support agreements would provide funding to Army Corps for technical assistance to aid in developing Post Authorization Change Report to ensure reservoir in Senate Bill 10 is built
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| SFWMD keeps the public apprised of its progress on the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir through an innovative web page that features an interactive map and milestone tracker. |
Doral, FL - The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board today approved entering into support agreements to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to ensure the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir Project becomes a reality.
The EAA Reservoir project, which will build a reservoir on land south of Lake Okeechobee, began as Senate Bill 10, authorized by the Legislature through Senate President Joe Negron and signed by Gov. Rick Scott earlier this year. As part of the support
agreements approved by the Governing Board, the District will pay the USACE up to $1.5 million to provide technical assistance during the development of a Post-Authorization Change Report (PACR) critical to the construction of the reservoir.
The PACR is needed for the federal government to approve sharing the cost associated with the reservoir project as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The USACE's technical assistance as the District develops the EAA Storage Reservoir's PACR would ensure consistency with federal guidelines and regulations.
"SFWMD has moved swiftly and decisively since receiving direction from the Legislature to get this project completed as quickly as possible," said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Dan O'Keefe. "By hiring the Army Corps, this District is doubling down on making this reservoir a success."
SFWMD is currently engaged in an extensive series of public meetings to help inform the scope and modeling for the project as well as solicit feedback from interested parties and stakeholders. Four public meetings have been conducted so far with at least three more scheduled this month. These meetings are consistent with the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process necessary to ensure the project remains eligible for federal approval.
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The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts. Our mission is to protect South Florida's water resources by balancing and improving flood control, water supply, water quality and natural systems.
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