DVIDS – News – Chief Engineers Signs Report for Florida Keys Coastal Storm Risk Management Study

NORFOLK, Va .– Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, signed the Florida Keys Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Chief’s Report, recommending the conclusions of the study for authorization by Congress.

“This is a milestone for USACE, Monroe County and approximately 155,000 permanent and seasonal residents of the Florida Keys,” said Col. Brian Hallberg, District Commander for Norfolk. “This plan adds significantly to the county’s current efforts to promote resilience and reduce the risk of damage from coastal storms.”

The study began in October 2018 and focused on critical infrastructure, protection of escape routes and reduction of structural damage in response to coastal storm hazards and taking into account sea level change. CSRM analyze and assess the economic, environmental and social effects and formulate plans to solve a local or regional problem with the aim of selecting, refining and presenting an optimal alternative which will be authorized and implemented on a shared basis. costs with non-residents. federal sponsor.

Authority for the Florida Keys Coastal Storm Risk Management Study was granted under Public Law 84-71, June 15, 1955, which authorizes a review and study of coastal areas and tides in the eastern and southern United States, with particular emphasis on areas where severe damage has been caused by hurricanes. The study funds were allocated by the bipartite budget law of 2018 Public Law 115-123, at a federal cost of $ 3,000,000.

The Norfolk District of USACE, in conjunction with the Jacksonville District, completed the study. Monroe County was the non-federal sponsor of the study.

The chief’s report will undergo further consideration by the Army’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Works and the Office of Management and Budget before it is formally submitted to Congress. After authorization from Congress, the project would be eligible for construction credits.

The recommended plan includes the following actions to reduce coastal storm risk and damage in the Florida Keys:

• Shoreline stabilization at six different locations along US Route 1 (Overseas Highway) that have been identified as posing a risk of erosion and / or wave energy damage during a storm. These six rock pavement structures are four to ten feet high NAVD88 and were designed to reduce damage to a total of approximately 5,500 linear feet of pavement by stabilizing the shoreline and reducing the risk of washout.

• Dry flood protection for 53 critical infrastructure buildings identified at risk of damage from coastal storms. Dry waterproofing will reduce storm surge damage during thunderstorm events so that emergency and essential services can resume faster after a thunderstorm event.

• Non-structural measures to reduce damage from coastal storms by erecting 4,698 residential and 1,052 non-residential flood protection structures in the Keys. Non-structural measures are applied to a structure to reduce flood damage caused by storm surges. Participation is voluntary for recommended non-structural measures (elevation and flood protection).

To learn more about the project, visit https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/FloridaKeysCSRMFeasibilityStudy/