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MIAMI - In another important milestone for Everglades restoration, Florida
today received federal approval to begin construction of a massive reservoir
in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). The flagship project of the
state’s Acceler8 initiative to fast-track eight key restoration projects,
the reservoir will provide a new option for redirecting and storing Lake
Okeechobee water releases—reducing harmful discharges to coastal estuaries.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers presented the federal permit, which
authorizes the South Florida Water Management District to build the EAA
Reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee, at today’s Governing Board meeting in
Miami.
“By acquiring this permit and beginning construction, Florida is keeping
its promise to restore the famed River of Grass and protect Florida’s
estuaries,” Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen
Castille said. “Water storage is a key element to the restoration process,
not only for controlling water releases but also for flood protection and
wildlife habitat restoration.”
The EAA Reservoir will be constructed on a 16,700-acre parcel in western
Palm Beach County, just west of US 27. When complete, the aboveground
structure will store up to 190,000 acre-feet of water, or 62 billion gallons
of water. The reservoir will also improve operational flexibility for moving
water within the EAA, optimizing water flows into stormwater treatment
areas. Other project benefits include storage of stormwater runoff in the
EAA, additional water to meet Everglades water needs and improved regional
flood protection.
Kevin McCarty, Chairman of the South Florida Water Management District
Governing Board, received the required construction permit from the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers.
“This permit is vital to our environmental restoration progress,” McCarty
said. “The planning, engineering design and agency coordination needed has
been enormous, and I’m extremely pleased with the results. We are ready to
start building.”
State legislators, county commissioners, representatives of
federal/state/local agencies and other organizations were also on hand to
witness the presentation.
“Granting this permit is a vital step forward for restoring and
protecting our estuaries,” said Michael DiTerlizzi, Vice Chairman of the
Martin County Board of Commissioners. “These waterways are the lifeblood of
our communities.”
Tammy Hall, Chairwoman of the Lee County Board of Commissioners, agreed.
“We strongly support any project that will provide additional storage
opportunities for Lake Okeechobee water,” she said. “We depend on the
estuaries for our environmental and economic health.”
Construction will be managed by a joint venture of Barnard Construction
Company, Inc., and Parsons Water & Infrastructure, Inc. The $400 million
contract was awarded to Barnard-Parsons earlier this summer. Groundbreaking
is scheduled for next month.
Announced by Governor Jeb Bush in October 2004, Acceler8 is stepping up
the pace for funding, design and construction to complete eight critical
Everglades restoration projects over seven years. At substantial savings to
taxpayers, the projects will restore 100,000 acres of wetlands, expand water
treatment areas by close to 29,000 acres and provide 428,000 acre-feet of
additional water storage for Everglades restoration a decade ahead of
schedule.
Under the leadership of Governor Bush, Florida has forged ahead to
implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan with an investment
of $1.3 billion and a commitment for an additional $3.2 billion through the
end of the decade to clean up and restore the famed River of Grass.
For more information on Acceler8, visit
www.evergladesnow.org. | 
