The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District and Miami-Dade County, its non-federal sponsor, are re-initiating the Miami-Dade Back Bay Coastal Strom Risk Management Study. The purpose of the study is to reduce coastal storm risk in Miam-Dade County through the implementation of coastal storm risk management features. However, the study is being updated (re-initiated) with multiple lines of defense that include natural and nature-based features (NNBF) to this area at high risk for storm surge. Two new alternatives were developed after a charrette held in November 2022.
The team will further evaluate comprehensive benefits including:
- Other Social Benefits: social vulnerability, and resiliency, social connectedness and community cohesion, leisure and recreational benefits
- Environmental Quality Benefits: water quality, habitat enhancements and/or improvements, ecosystem service
The project team said a key component in the re-initiation of the study is feedback from the public which will be critical to project success. The additional alternatives will be presented to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, the Honorable Michael Connor in August 2023 for evaluation on whether or not the project will proceed.
“We all live here with the water and we don’t want to just create barriers. We want to work on ways we can divert water more naturally working with our coastal, back bay, and inland cities to have a more equitable approach that will benefit more of our communities.”
Daniella Devine Cava, Mayor Miami-Dade County
