Specifications

Section 1 Introduction
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project Comprehensive Review Study,
known as the “Restudy”, was authorized by Section 309(l) of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1992 (P.L.102-580). This study was 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 the Restudy 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 modifications to the C&SF Project for improving the quality of the
environment; protecting water quality in the South Florida ecosystem;
improving protection of the aquifer; improving the integrity, capability, and
conservation of urban and agricultural water supplies; and, improving other
water-related purposes. The Restudy recommended the Comprehensive
Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) which identified 68 components,
individually focused at the local scale; however, ultimately benefiting the entire
Everglades ecosystem. The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage
Reservoirs Project is one of these components.
1.1 REPORT AUTHORITY
The EAA Storage Reservoirs study was authorized by the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000 (WRDA 2000). Congress approved the CERP as the
“framework for modifications and operational changes to the Central and
Southern Florida Project (C&SF) that are needed to restore, preserve and
protect the South Florida ecosystem while providing for other water-related
needs of the region, including water supply and protection (WRDA 2000)."
The direction and guidance for this project is contained within the CERP Master
Program Management Plan which was developed and approved by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the South Florida Water Management
District (SFWMD). The USACE and SFWMD subsequently executed an
Agreement for the Design of Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the
Everglades and South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Project (Design
Agreement) in May 2000, which outlined each party’s cooperation and
contribution requirements for CERP design, including this project.
The EAA Storage Reservoirs Project, as envisioned in this Project
Implementation Report (PIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), is
substantially similar to the project that was envisioned in the CERP as