1 May 2013

Giant African snails attack south Florida

The giant African land snail (GALS) is considered one of the most damaging snails in the world, known to consume at least 500 different types of plants and possibly pose a health threat to humans, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) website.

1 May 2013

Injury underscores importance of 3R safety message

The potential for encountering military munitions on Culebra and in the surrounding waters is high, and the Corps consistently informs the community about that possibility while promoting safety precautions.

26 Apr 2013

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases Areawide Environmental Impact Statement addressing phosphate mining in Central Florida Phosphate District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that the final Areawide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS) addressing phosphate mining in the Central Florida Phosphate District (CFPD) has been completed and released. A Notice of Availability is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register May 3, beginning a 30-day public review and comment period.

25 Apr 2013

Corps closes portions of trail to accommodate dike repairs

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced it will close additional portions of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) due to ongoing construction associated with the rehabilitation of Herbert Hoover Dike. On May 1, the portion of trail between John Stretch Park and South Bay is scheduled to close. The closure will likely remain in effect through most of 2014, while contractors work to replace a water control structure at the Culvert 4A site west of South Bay.

24 Apr 2013

Coastal menace from the Carolinas creeps towards Florida

The rapidly spreading beach vitex, an invasive vine native to countries in the western Pacific, is creeping down the eastern coast from the Carolinas towards Florida, impacting beach stability and endangering sea turtles.

23 Apr 2013

Settlement reached in Clean Water Act violation

A 2006 Clean Water Act violation case against Century Homebuilders has been closed with the receipt of payment of $400,000 in civil penalties plus the purchase of $60,000 in mitigation credits from Everglades National Park. The penalties were assessed in a 2010 consent decree (CD) between the U.S. District Court in Miami and Century Homebuilders when Century Homebuilders failed to fulfill its commitment to enhance 47 acres of wetlands associated with a residential development in the city of Doral, Miami-Dade County, Fla.

19 Apr 2013

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues public notice for proposed St. Petersburg Municipal Pier

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District has issued a public notice in connection with the city of St. Petersburg’s application for a Department of the Army permit to demolish the existing St. Petersburg Municipal Pier and construct a new pier in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Fla. Comments are being accepted through Friday, May 3, 2013.

18 Apr 2013

National Volunteer Appreciation Week

Volunteers play a vital role in the success of the recreation and environmental stewardship programs at Lake Okeechobee and along the Okeechobee Waterway. Each year, approximately 350 volunteers provide more than 16,500 hours of service.

12 Apr 2013

Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway Facebook site launched

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District announces the launch of the Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway Facebook site. This page is specifically geared towards people who want to learn more about Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway and the surrounding communities. A variety of information will be posted, including information about water releases, navigation, structure closings, water safety, recreation, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST), the Herbert Hoover Dike, boating and fishing, environmental stewardship, local events, emergency operations and much more. “Like” Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway on Facebook at http://bit.ly/LakeO

4 Apr 2013

A brief history of the Antilles Office through the eyes of the people

If the responsibility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Puerto Rico was a dance, it would probably be closer to the currently popular “Harlem Shuffle” than a salsa. Though responsibility for the office was shuffled over the years from New York to Panama, then to Puerto Rico, and finally to Jacksonville District, the importance of having a Corps office located on the island has never shifted. Corps civilian and military activities in Puerto Rico include administration, coastal defense projects, facilities construction on military bases and flood risk reduction, as well as maintenance and improvement of inland waterways and harbors. Specific navigation projects have included Arecibo Harbor, San Juan Harbor, and Mayaguez Harbor in Puerto Rico.