Residents Engage in Updates on Essential Maintenance Project for Vital Waterway
Everglades City
by John Nipper
In an effort to keep the community well-informed, the Army Corps of Engineers gathered with the citizens of Everglades City on February 1st, 2024, to provide updates on the ongoing plans to dredge the local channel. The project, which was created to address the natural erosion and storm damage that has affected the waterway since its creation in 1963, aims to restore the channel to its optimal depth and width.
The meeting addressed the progress made so far, with the Channel Conditions Survey and the digitization of channel files, both completed as of November 2022. These initial steps set the foundation for the comprehensive restoration project, addressing the vital water link that connects the Gulf of Mexico to the Barron River area and the turning basin located at the upper end.
Currently, the search for locations for dredged material placement is underway, with seagrass surveys scheduled for the 2024 growing season. Other tasks such as cultural resource surveys and geotechnical investigations are yet to be determined based upon the dredged material placement location.
The Army Corps provided a comprehensive timeline, outlining the anticipated milestones for the project:
Residents participated in the discussion, expressing their concerns, and seeking clarification on various aspects of the project. The Corps reassured the community that all steps are being taken to minimize disruptions and environmental impact during the restoration.
This project is funded through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of natural disasters.
As the project moves forward, the Army Corps of Engineers has reassured us that they remain committed to maintaining open lines of communication with the residents of Everglades City, ensuring that the community stays informed and engaged throughout the channel restoration process.
