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substantially altered by the construction
of the C&SF Project. Today, water
managers and scientists are working
to enhance and protect these habitats
for the environmental, recreational and
economic benefits they provide.
Since the project began in 1999, the river and its floodplain have improved in many ways, including the conversion of nearly 20,000 acres of drained
floodplain to ecologically beneficial wetlands. In addition, the project’s efforts resulted in the recovery of the invertebrate community, a crucial food
resource for fish and birds. Additional monitoring will be conducted to measure the project’s success, and additional projects and restoration efforts
in the region will support continued restoration of Florida’s iconic Kissimmee River.
A Monumental Achievement!
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN FLORIDA PROJECT
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW STUDY
FINAL
INTEGRATED FEASIBILITY REPORT
AND
PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STATEMENT
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SOUTH FLORIDA WATER
JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
APRIL 1999
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN FLORIDA PROJECT
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW STUDY
FINAL
INTEGRATED FEASIBILITY REPORT
AND
PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Responsible Agencies: The responsible lead agency is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Jacksonville District. The responsible cooperating agencies are the South Florida Water
Management District, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the National Park Service, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Abstract: The south Florida ecosystem is a nationally and internationally unique and
important natural resource. It is also a resource in peril, having been severely impacted by
human activities for over a hundred years. This report recommends a comprehensive plan
for the restoration, protection, and preservation of the water resources of central and
southern Florida, including the Everglades. This is a final integrated feasibility report and
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, which identifies and discusses the plan’s
proposed project features, its beneficial effects and potential impacts on existing resources.
The recommended Comprehensive Plan contains over sixty project features. Principal
features of the plan are the creation of approximately 217,000 acres of new reservoirs and
wetlands based water treatment areas. These features vastly increase storage and water
supply for the natural system, as well as for urban and agricultural needs, while
maintaining current Central and Southern Florida Project purposes. The recommended
Comprehensive Plan achieves the restoration of more natural flows of water, including
sheetflow, improved water quality, and more natural hydroperiods in the south Florida
ecosystem. Improvements to native flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered
species, will occur as a result of the restoration of hydrologic conditions.
THE OFFICIAL CLOSING DATE If you require further
FOR THE RECEIPT OF COMMENTS information on this
IS 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE ON document, contact:
WHICH THE NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
OF THIS FINAL PROGRAMATIC EIS Mr. Russell Reed
APPEARS IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 4970
Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019
Telephone: (904) 232-3967
NOTE: This report includes an integrated Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)
within the final feasibility report; sections required for compliance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) are noted by an asterisk in the Table of Contents.
Summary
Final Feasibility Report and PEIS April 1999
i
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN FLORIDA PROJECT
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW STUDY
FINAL
INTEGRATED FEASIBILITY REPORT
AND
PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
SUMMARY
The recommended Comprehensive Plan contained within this report will, when
implemented, restore, protect, and preserve a natural resource treasure – the south
Florida ecosystem. The greater Everglades ecosystem is nationally significant and
unique in the world. If actions are not taken now, irretrievable loss of this
extraordinary resource will occur. The Comprehensive Plan affords the opportunity to
reverse the course of declining ecosystem health and leave an Everglades legacy for
generations to come.
The Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project, first authorized by Congress
in 1948, is a multi-purpose project that provides flood control, water supply for
municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses, prevention of saltwater intrusion, water
supply for Everglades National Park, and protection of fish and wildlife resources. The
primary system includes about 1,000 miles each of levees and canals, 150 water
control structures, and 16 major pump stations.
The C&SF Project Comprehensive Review Study, known as the Restudy, is
authorized by Section 309(l) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992
(P.L.102-580). This study is also authorized by two resolutions of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives, dated
September 24, 1992. Section 528 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996
provides specific direction and guidance for the Restudy.
The purpose of this study was to reexamine the C&SF Project to determine the
feasibility of modifying the project to restore the south Florida ecosystem and to
provide for the other water-related needs of the region. Specifically, as required by
the authorizing legislation, the study investigated making structural or operational