News Release

Everglades National Park Issues Finding of No Significant Impact for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Everglades Harbor and Channel Dredging Project Environmental Assessment

Brown Pelicans on Mangrove Island at Gulf Coast

C. Rivas

News Release Date: January 15, 2026

Contact: Allyson Gantt, 786-610-8023

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla. — The National Park Service issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Everglades Harbor and Channel Dredging Project environmental assessment. The project will dredge Everglades Harbor and Channel, a portion of which is located within Everglades National Park and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness, to maintain safe and efficient vessel navigation between the Gulf of America and Everglades City, Florida.  

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act , the environmental assessment considers alternatives, including a no-action alternative, and environmental impacts. Based on the analysis presented in the EA, which was available for public review from March 10, 2025 to April 9, 2025 and after completing wildlife, fisheries, cultural, and Tribal consultation and public comments, the NPS agrees with the USACE’s selection of Alternative 3. The NPS FONSI establishes that, based on the Environmental Assessment, there would be no significant impact on the environment as a result of the selected action. 

The park will issue a special use permit to USACE to dredge the portions of the channel that are located within the park and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness. The dredged materials will be piped to an in-water placement area outside of park boundaries. 

The USACE final FONSI and EA are available here.  

The NPS FONSI is available here on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website.