Comments Sought on Proposed Seawall Repairs at Flamingo, Everglades National Park

Date: December 17, 2009
Contact: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714
Contact: Mike Savage, 305-242-7776

The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning an environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act of options for repairing deteriorating seawalls at the Flamingo Developed Area of Everglades National Park. Input is being sought from interested parties during public scoping to identify the issues, impact topics and scope of the alternatives to be analyzed in the EA.

The intent of the proposed project is to rehabilitate the seawalls and associated facilities at the Flamingo Developed Area in order to avoid structural failure, to address existing and potential public safety issues, and potential effects on park operations, facilities, visitor use and experience. 

The Flamingo seawalls and associated facilities were built in 1954 and have deteriorted over the years due to spalling and corrosion, settling, boat impacts and hurricanes. Visible sections of existing seawall caps and pilings are cracking and spalling due to rusting and expaning reinforcing steel, in some cases causing potential tripping hazards for visitors and staff. Pavement cracking and settling along the permiter of some seawalls also indicates possible failure of the tie rod systems. Failure of a single tie rod could have a rippling effect that leads to failure of a large portion of the seawall system.  Catastrophic failure could cause the seawalls to fall into the water exposing buildings and other facilities to storm damage. Failed seawalls could also result in partial or complete closure of the boat basins and ramps and prevent public acces towhiatewater and Florida Bays. 

The results of the scoping process and NPS analysis will be used to help formulate the alternatives addressed in the EA. The environmental assessment will determine the potential effects of the seawalls rehabilitation on natural and cultural resources, park operations, and visitor use and experience. 

How to Comment on the Scope of the EA: The NPS invites the participation of interested parties and individuals, local agencies, Federal and State agencies and Native American Tribes in providing comments and identifying any issues.  Written comments may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website https://parkplanning.nps.gov. Select “Everglades NP” from the drop down box, then “Flamingo Developed Area Seawall Rehabilitation EA”, and “Open for Public Comment” box.  Comments can also be mailed to: Flamingo Developed Area Seawall Rehabilitation EA, Attention: Brien Culhane, Planning and Compliance Branch, Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead FL 33034

All comments must be received or postmarked by midnight, January 16, 2010. 

As soon as the environmental assessment is completed, it will be made available for public review for a 30-day period.

For more information or questions about the proposed Flamingo Seawalls Rehabilitation Project, contact Mike Savage, Project Manager at 305-224-7776 or e-mail us