JACKSONVILLE – A main goal of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) has been to move more freshwater south to Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.  The Tamiami Trail, a roadway which transects the southern Everglades from Tampa to Miami, blocks that flow.

Work is underway by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to install more culverts, raise portions of the roadway and remove the old roadbed in order to allow water to flow from Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A under the trail. Federal protections for the nesting grounds of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow restrict that flow.

On June 9, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a Notice of Availability for the Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to support a multi-year planned temporary deviation to the WCA 3A Regulation Schedule.

 This regulation schedule is part of the 2020 Combined Operational Plan (COP) Water Control Plan, the current operating plan for the WCAs, Everglades National Park and South Dade Conveyance System. The 2020 COP Water Control Plan defines operations for the constructed features of the Modified Water Deliveries and Canal 111 (C-111) South Dade project components.

Under the 2020 COP Water Control Plan, operations of the S-12A, S-12B, S-343A, and S-343B water control structures include date-based closures for the federally listed Cape Sable seaside sparrow. The Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the 2020 COP Water Control Plan was completed on August 28, 2020.

 USACE Jacksonville District has identified the need for a multi-year planned temporary deviation to provide operational flexibility to manage high-water conditions in WCA 3A.

Under the current plan, these gates are closed nine months of the year, on a calendar-based system. This has resulted in flooding in WCA-3A which has damaged the tree islands and endangered the wildlife there. The planed deviation calls for releases to be based on conditions in WCA 3A.

 These proposed plans are available for review on the Jacksonville District’s environmental planning 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”. Scroll down to the project name)

 Please submit any comments in writing to COPDeviationComments@usace.army.mil by July 14, 2025. Questions concerning the project can also be submitted to Melissa Nasuti at 904-232-1368.