Miami-Dade residents have a chance to weigh in on a federal plan meant to reduce storm-surge threats in some of the county's most exposed coastal areas.
Here's what to know
A draft from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Miami-Dade County is open for public review and comments through September 18.
Miami-Dade County and the Army Corps' Norfolk District have published the Phase II draft of the Miami-Dade Back Bay coastal storm risk management feasibility study, which examines possible approaches to reducing hurricane, flood, and other extreme weather risks across the county.
As Islander News reported, the Army Corps is leading the $11.2 million, fully federally funded study with Miami-Dade County as its partner, alongside municipalities and other stakeholders.
Completed Phase I work from 2024 serves as the foundation for this next stage, which centers on protecting public health and life safety, strengthening critical infrastructure, and limiting damage to buildings in vulnerable communities.
The public can submit input by email at mdbb-csrmstudy@usace.army.mil or by mail, and the study team also held public meetings in Homestead and Miami and is hosting a virtual webinar on Wednesday, September 9.
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More background
The alternatives that move forward could help determine which neighborhoods receive surge protections and how well homes, roads, and public infrastructure withstand major coastal storms.
Feedback submitted before the September 18 deadline will be used as the final feasibility report is developed, with Water Resources Development Act authorization targeted for 2028.
The article noted that Dr. Roland Samimy, chief resilience and sustainability officer for the Village of Key Biscayne, clarified that the Key Biscayne Back Bay Feasibility Study is not the same as the broader Miami-Dade Back Bay effort.
What's being done?
The Army Corps and Miami-Dade County are asking residents and stakeholders to review the proposal before finalizing decisions, giving communities a chance to weigh in on which protections they want prioritized.
Decisions on rebuilding rules, FEMA planning, training, and storm-tracking data all affect how much support and protection coastal residents can expect before and after major storms.
You can send written feedback by email to mdbb-csrmstudy@usace.army.mil or by mail to the USACE Norfolk District Planning and Policy Branch in Norfolk, Virginia.
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