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Nov. 17, 2017
SFWMD Identifies Initial Concepts for EAA Storage Reservoir
Ongoing public meetings highlight project features under consideration that will be modeled to determine EAA Storage Reservoir benefits
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| SFWMD keeps the public apprised of progress on the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir through an innovative web page that features an interactive map and milestone tracker. |
West Palm Beach, FL - The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) this week sought public input on initial concepts being considered for the proposed Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir Project.
These project concepts under consideration will be modeled further by SFWMD staff in the coming weeks. Modeling results will be presented at future public meetings as part of the extensive ongoing public review
process for the EAA Storage Reservoir Project. The project began as Senate Bill 10. Earlier this year, the bill was authorized by the Legislature, an effort led by Senate President Joe Negron, and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott.
"This is an exciting step in a rapidly moving process," said SFWMD Federal Policy and Coordination Bureau Chief Matt Morrison. "The public received a first look at the conceptual project features and provided additional valuable feedback. Next, we will undertake detailed modeling on the array of initial concepts to determine what features provide the most benefit while making the best use of taxpayer dollars."
The initial concepts discussed by SFWMD staff at two meetings this week included:
- A 240,000 acre-foot reservoir that would require 10,000 acres for storage and another 6,300 acres of stormwater treatment areas (STAs) to treat water and meet the project goals by sending additional clean water south to the Everglades. This alternative includes a total project footprint of approximately 16,000 acres.
- A 360,000-acre foot reservoir that would require 22,000 acres for storage and another 9,500 acres of STAs to meet the project goals by sending additional clean water south to the Everglades. This alternative includes a total project footprint of approximately 31,000 acres.
SFWMD is currently engaged in an extensive series of public meetings to receive public input that helps inform the scope and modeling for the project. Six public meetings have been conducted to date. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 9 a.m. at SFWMD Headquarters in West Palm Beach. This protocol is consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process necessary to ensure the project remains eligible for federal cost sharing.
For the modeling data and more information on the meetings, including agendas and presentations, visit
www.sfwmd.gov/eaareservoir.
To learn more about SFWMD's ongoing planning projects that are part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, visit
www.sfwmd.gov/cerpplanning.
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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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