During the last two months, the Everglades Basis has raised issues in regards to the proposed Southland Water Useful resource Venture — an 8,000-acre rock mine deliberate instantly adjoining to the Everglades Agricultural Space (EAA) Reservoir, a centerpiece of Everglades restoration.
Now this has caught the eye of the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers.
In a letter dated July 2, 2025, addressed to U.S. Consultant Brian Mast, the Corps outlines a number of potential dangers related to the Southland undertaking.
The letter responds to an inquiry from Rep. Mast and echoes lots of the identical points raised earlier by The Everglades Basis’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Steve Davis, in a Could 15, 2025 letter to the Palm Seaside County Fee.
In its early evaluation, the Military Corps of Engineers says there are some severe issues.
Water Administration Operations: “For the reason that proposed undertaking can be adjoining to the northern limits of the EAA Reservoir and STA, an evaluation… is required to find out the chance and magnitude of potential results.”
Seepage: “Given the extremely permeable subsurface geologic circumstances… seepage from the proposed undertaking may have an effect on the EAA Reservoir and STA.”
Regional Water Availability: “A strong water availability evaluation is required… to find out whether or not the proposed undertaking is appropriate with the Central and Southern Florida Venture and advantages anticipated from CERP tasks at present beneath building.”
If this undertaking goes by means of, the Everglades Basis says the rock mine will threaten billions in restoration investments.
Chief Science Officer at The Everglades Basis, Dr. Steve Davis, submitted an in depth scientific letter to the Palm Seaside County Board of County Commissioners urging warning.
Within the letter, David questioned why an intensive technical assessment of the proposed undertaking had not been accomplished regardless of its proximity — simply 1,000 toes — from the EAA Reservoir, which is able to ultimately retailer water 24 toes deep on the floor.
“Southland will entail intensive blasting and removing of rock… This offset in water degree distinction is regarding when contemplating the problem of controlling seepage losses in different water storage tasks,” stated Davis.
Davis additionally factors out that whereas the EAA Reservoir might be accomplished inside the subsequent few years, Southland’s mining actions are anticipated to proceed by means of 2059 — posing a long time of potential disruption to the integrity of close by restoration efforts.
In his letter to the fee, Davis warns of great water high quality issues related to mining actions:
Elevated ranges of phosphorus, sulfate, chloride, and even radium may very well be mobilized. Groundwater patterns may very well be altered and downstream Stormwater Therapy Areas (STAs) may very well be affected.
“Extra storage past the EAA Reservoir with out commensurate remedy is of no worth to the Everglades ecosystem and poses a big danger to downstream water high quality and ecology.”
