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In this edition, you will find the latest news and information about the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and community outreach efforts throughout south Florida. As you read through this issue, you will discover more about what the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District are doing to inform, involve, and engage our citizens, businesses and communities in the Everglades restoration plan and the protection of our future water supply. |
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Did you know that the Florida Everglades was once a vibrant, free-flowing river of grass that provided clean water from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay? Today, this extraordinary ecosystem is dying. Over the past half-century, the health and size of the Everglades have steadily declined. Severely impacted by drainage and development, the Everglades is suffering from a critical shortage of clean, reliable water sources. To restore and preserve south Florida's natural environment, enhance water supplies, and maintain flood protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District and numerous other federal, state, local and tribal partners, has developed a plan to save the Everglades. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) includes a series of ecological and water system improvements. During the next 30 years, the Corps, the District, and their sponsoring partners will restore water quality, quantity, timing, and distribution in what is being referred to as "the largest environmental restoration project in history." To find out more about Everglades restoration, visit our official website at www.evergladesplan.org. |
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A partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Water Management District and many other federal, state, local and tribal partners. |
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| September - October 2006 | |||||||||||||
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Restoring the Everglades is the nation’s largest ecosystem restoration project. Let’s face it: it is an extensive and challenging task. Yet, Col. Paul L. Grosskruger is excited and geared up for the challenge. The new leader at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District assumed command of the agency on July 25, 2006, replacing Col. Robert M. Carpenter who retired after a distinguished career with the Army. Col. Grosskruger is ready, willing and able to perform. “I look forward to serving as a member of the Jacksonville District and as part of the entire Army Corps of Engineers team in serving our nation,” he said. As new commander, Col. Grosskruger is responsible for the federal development of water resources projects in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The consummate professional, Col. Grosskruger is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point. A man of many talents, he is a registered professional engineer, and has earned a Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation among his many military honors. With an extensive military career spanning 23 years, Col. Grosskruger has served in numerous assignments both overseas and in the United States. His most recent assignment was chief of staff of the U.S. Army Engineer School in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. |
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In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Corps of Engineers proudly announces the arrival of its first bilingual Everglades Restoration kiosk, which will be placed in a Miami-Dade County library in an area with a significant Hispanic population. The user-friendly interactive touch-screen kiosks – featuring information about Everglades restoration – have been in use since 2004. However, this is the first model available in Spanish. It helps bring the Everglades restoration message to a significant portion of south Florida’s population who may be more comfortable communicating in this language.
In addition, in honor of the annual Hispanic Heritage Month observance, the Corps will broadcast two public service announcements in Spanish during the month. The announcements will be similar to the familiar Spanish soap opera “novelas,” and present CERP concepts in a fun and unusual way. These programs are part of a year-round mission to reach out to Hispanics with the CERP message. This mission also includes translation of print and electronic materials into Spanish, a toll-free information hotline, holding meetings in largely Hispanic areas in south Florida, and providing translators and bilingual staff when needed. |
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| Moore Haven area residents learn about the Herbert Hoover Dike and Everglades restoration programs at a community picnic on Sept. 9, sponsored by Glades County emergency management officials. |
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If you are interested in learning about business If you would like to request a presentation for your organization, please contact Erica Robbins at 561-683-1577, ext. 32 or Bernadette Morris at 305-948-8063, ext. 201 |
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opportunities with the Corps, please contact Randy Edney at 561-683-1577, ext. 14. If you are interested in learning about business opportunities with the Water Management District, please call the Procurement Hotline at 1-800-472-5290.