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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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| A series of four public meetings will be
held this summer to present the
tentatively selected plan for the Lake
Okeechobee Regulation Schedule
Study. The regulation schedule outlines
decisions the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and the South Florida Water
Management District can make to better
manage water levels in and discharges
from the lake. Meeting dates, times and
locations will be set shortly. For
information, visit
www.saj.usace.army.mil. |
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Please join the CERP
Outreach Team in
welcoming Elizabeth
“Beth” Myers, Deputy
for Small Business. If
you are interested in
learning about the business opportunities
with the Corps, please contact Ms. Myers
at 904-232-1150. Interested persons
can also reach Ms. Myers via email at
elizabeth.r.myers@saj02.usace.
army.mil.
To learn about business opportunities
with the South Florida Water Management
District, please contact the Procurement
Hotline at 1-800-472-5290.
To request a presentation for a group or
organization, please contact Erica Robbins
at 561-472-8893 or Bernadette Morris at
305-948-8063, ext. 201.
People interested in learning about the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Plan can leave their name and mailing
address on the toll-free line at
1-877-CERP-USA. |
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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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A new educational product about the Everglades is
being introduced for younger children. The
Journey of Wayne Drop to the
Everglades
Coloring Book Adventure
was
released in
June
2007
and is
designed
for
pre-school
children to
third
grade
students.
It is
based on a
storybook and
lesson plan
developed
previously
for older
elementary
students.
The Journey
of
Wayne Drop to the
Everglades is a popular
elementary school
curriculum that was
introduced in 2005 by the
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Jacksonville
District. The storybook, produced in English,
Spanish and Creole, as well as the associated
teacher’s resources, has been used across Florida
and now as a downloadable product, throughout
the United States.
The new coloring book captures highlights of the storybook as Wayne travels through the Everglades. |
The 16-page booklet contains 10 pages of illustrations, other areas for drawing, and information for adults on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and how to obtain copies of the curriculum.
“For several years, we have
had an educational product for
fourth
and fifth graders,”
said Erica
Robbins, outreach
program specialist for
the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Jacksonville
District and former
classroom teacher. “Now,
we have something for
the ‘little guys’."
Initially, 10,000 coloring
books were printed and are
being distributed at
community events and educational conferences. A
downloadable version of the coloring book will be
available in the future on www.evergladesplan.org.
For additional information, please contact Erica
Robbins at 561-472-8893 or erica.a.robbins@saj02.usace.army.mil. |
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Florida is experiencing one of the worst droughts
on record. Rainfall for some areas of central and
south Florida has been 50 percent of normal levels
over the past 18 months – just 40 inches. This
spring, as the drought worsened, wildfires
darkened the skies, Lake Okeechobee reached
an all-time low on May 31, and water restrictions
were imposed on residents and businesses. While
Florida’s rainy season has begun on time, above-normal
rainfall will be needed this summer and fall
to help prevent continuing drought conditions
into 2008.
Droughts, of course, are very difficult for the natural
ecosystems. Today, for example, the Everglades
must share a limited water supply with the 7 million residents of south and
central Florida. All plants and
wildlife can suffer in a drought.
Water managers are doing
everything possible to keep
water reserved for the
Everglades ecosystem during
this time of very low rainfall.
While it is a very serious
situation, there is short-term
silver lining. Both the federal
and state agencies responsible
for restoring the Everglades are
taking advantage of dry
conditions, where possible.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, was able to |
 continue the rehabilitation of one section of the Herbert Hoover Dike that
surrounds Lake Okeechobee
without delay. The dike is
essential for public safety and
water management in the lake,
which includes storing water for
the Everglades. The South
Florida Water Management
District is removing tons of
muck, now exposed in dry lake
bed, which will improve the
lake’s water quality and wildlife
habitat.
In the meantime, all residents are
asked to conserve water and
follow water-use restrictions if
imposed in their area. For more
information, visit www.saj.usace.army.mil or
www.sfwmd.gov. |
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Attention small and minority-owned businesses! The
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is
under way now, with many activities taking place at both
federal and state levels. While this is a long-term effort,
contractors interested in participating in the “world’s
largest environmental restoration” project may
want to start looking into the possibilities and procurement
processes now.
The plan to restore America’s Everglades will span
30 years and cost an estimated $10.9 billion. Much of the
work effort will be carried out by the private sector in
contracts awarded through the federal government and
state of Florida. Special programs are available to
encourage opportunities for small and minority-owned
businesses as well.
Much of the construction, science and many other varied
disciplines required for Everglades restoration will be
conducted through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and
the South Florida Water Management District. However,
organizations interested in doing business with these
agencies must do
their homework in
advance to learn
about upcoming
procurement opportunities, products and services
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needed,
and how to
participate in the
separate federal and state
contracting
programs.
For information
about the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers contracting and small business
programs, visit
www.usace.army.mil/howdoi/
contracting.htm. For
information about South Florida Water Management
District programs, visit www.sfwmd.gov.
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Approximately 1,000 first to fifth graders attended the Sweet Vine
Youth Center’s 3rd Annual School E-Fair in Homestead on May 18.
CERP was one of many environmental programs featured. |
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| Students in Cocoa ended the school year with a splash. The Corps
of Engineers provided a lesson on the restoration of the Kissimmee
River and the Everglades and a demonstration of the water cycle
using a lesson plan from The Journey of Wayne Drop to the
Everglades Teacher's Guide. |
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