The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District hosted a series of public meetings to present the proposed final array of alternatives for the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) and give all interested individuals, groups and agencies an opportunity to comment and ask questions.
Five meetings were held throughout south Florida between Dec. 10 and Dec. 18 in Fort Myers, Homestead, Clewiston, Stuart and Coconut Creek,. Each meeting hosted an open house, followed by formal presentations and public comments.
“Public participation has been — and will continue to be — an invaluable part of the Central Everglades Planning Project,” said Kim Taplin, USACE project supervisor. “These meetings will further ensure that the Corps and our partner, the South Florida Water Management District, receive the public input needed to make sure we are developing an understandable and broadly supported path forward.”
The goal of the Central Everglades Planning Project is to deliver within two years a finalized plan, known as a Project Implementation Report, for a suite of restoration projects in the central Everglades to prepare for congressional authorization as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
USACE is jointly conducting this planning effort with the South Florida Water Management District.
Public comments are being accepted throughout the duration of the planning process. Comments can be submitted electronically to: CEPPComments@usace.army.mil, or mailed to: Dr. Gretchen Ehlinger, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019.
Additional information is available online at www.bit.ly/CentralEverglades_CEPP.