In the Spotlight: Judge delays construction of Tamiami Trail project
26 Nov 2008
U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro granted a preliminary injunction sought by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to suspend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers implementation of the Tamiami Trail modification project. The order was issued on November 13. A request for construction proposals had already been issued by the Corps and construction was scheduled to begin before the end of the year.
Everglades National Park
The judge sided with the Miccosukee Tribe, which argued that the project may result in irreparable harm absent proper National Environmental Policy evaluation. The judge ordered the Corps of Engineers to halt work on Tamiami Trail implementation pending further review of the administrative record. The judge also encouraged the Corps to revisit its environmental analysis.
The Tamiami Trail Modifications Project features a one-mile bridge on the eastern end of this highway in Miami-Dade County. The bridge would allow fresh water to flow into the eastern side of Everglades National Park. Today, the 80-year-old highway blocks the historic flow of water through the Everglades. The one-mile bridge, and other improvements, would help re-establish that flow.
Work to modify Tamiami Trail to restore water flows has been ongoing since Congress first approved the expansion of Everglades National Park in 1989. Many years of planning an analysis resulted in a 2005 plan that included both a 1-mile and a 2-mile bridge. That plan failed to receive the support of elected officials and agency decision makers. As a result, a pared down plan, one for the 1-mile bridge was prepared. A formal environmental assessment was prepared for the smaller project.
The Corps of Engineers is complying with the judge’s order, and analyses to complete the remaining portions of the Modified Water Deliveries Project are continuing despite the delay in implementing the Tamiami Trail improvements.
"We're disappointed with the ruling," said Stu Appelbaum, Jacksonville District's Deputy for Restoration Program Management. "We view the Tamiami Trail Modification Project as a huge step forward for the Everglades, and one of many needed to restore the Everglades. Given the broad base of support for the project, we were very much looking forward to getting started."
The Tamiami Trail project is a component of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park, authorized by Congress in 1989. The goal is to improve water flows to northeast Shark River Slough. The bridge has been hailed by environmentalists and others as essential to the overall restoration of the Everglades. It serves as a lynchpin project for many others to follow.
For more information about the Tamiami Trail project, please visit www.saj.usace.army.mil.
Contact for this page:
For more information, please call the Jacksonville District Corporate Communications Office at 904-232-1953.
