South Florida - Friday October 7, 2022: On October 19th, at a meeting of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will release for public review the working draft of the 2022 Integrated Delivery Schedule or IDS.
The IDS provides the roadmap for sequencing, planning, design, construction and operations of both federal and state projects related to Everglades restoration. It is a forward-looking snapshot of upcoming design and construction schedules and programmatic costs, at a “top” line level, for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) Program.
The plan is designed to improve the health of more than 2.4 million acres, and the focus is on “getting the water right.”
The IDS includes foundation projects like the Kissimmee River Restoration and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects. CERP is the largest aquatic ecosystem restoration effort in the nation, spanning more than 18,000 square miles.
“The IDS reflects the strategy for the continued, historic momentum of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Program. This is a living document that synchs up federal and state program and project priorities to give us a clear path forward," said Dr. Tabitha Elkington, Strategic Program Manager for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Program.
Learn more at this USRCE website at: www.saj.usace.army.mil/IDS
South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Meeting
The draft IDS will be released for review at the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting on Wednesday, October 19, in the Yates Auditorium in the Interior Department's Stewart Lee Udall Building in Washington, D.C. The meeting takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., however the IDS presentation will take place after the lunch break from 1:55 to 2:15 p.m.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, invites the public to attend the meeting, there is also an option participate virtually via Zoom.
All participants joining virtually are required to pre-register to receive a secure link allowing them to participate in the Zoom Webinar. You can pre-register at: https://www.evergladesrestoration.gov/task-force-1/oct-19-2022-task-force-meeting-6gp5f. Additional materials will also be available at that link, including a draft agenda and the working draft of the IDS.
The public can also view a live webcast of the meeting on YouTube.
“The purpose of this virtual public engagement is provide partners, stakeholders and the public with an opportunity to learn more about the Working Draft of the 2022 Integrated Delivery Schedule or IDS,” said Program Manager Dr. Elkington.
FINAL 2022 IDS RELEASE DATE - November 18
The release and presentation of the Final 2022 IDS Update will take place on November 18, during a virtual SFER Task Force sponsored workshop.
View this announcement on the USACE website at: https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/3181523/working-draft-of-2022-everglades-restoration-integrated-delivery-schedule-avail/