Following a series of public meetings and extensive engineering work, the South Florida Water Management District this month approved a contract to begin permanent improvements on a local flood control berm between the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area and nearby homes. The berm suffered storm damage in 2012, which the SFWMD addressed with emergency but temporary repairs.
“District staff took immediate actions to provide flood relief and bolster the berm during and after the historic rainfall from Tropical Storm Isaac,” said SFWMD Governing Board member Melanie Peterson, a long-time Palm Beach County resident. ”This action will enhance flood protection and safety for residents in the Indian Trail Improvement District for many years to come.”
The SFWMD is investing $3.5 million in the phase 1 work, which will include a new earthen levee measuring 2.6 miles long, 14 feet wide at the top, 50 feet wide at the bottom and 6 feet tall. Construction is slated to begin in early March and will take place over the next 14 months.
