The S-709 Pump Station aims to send more clean freshwater into Biscayne Bay.
On August 22, we celebrated the completion of a new pump station that will contribute to restoring habitat and conditions in Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park. The S-709 Pump Station is a part of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project and a component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
"Today's ribbon cutting is a testament to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners' commitment to Everglades restoration," said Col. James Booth, commander of the Jacksonville District. "The S-709 pump station is an important piece of infrastructure near the southern end of L-31 East Flow Way, whose completion and use puts us one step closer to restoring conditions in the coastal wetlands and ultimately in Biscayne Bay."
The project is the result of collaboration between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District and South Florida Water Management District and will help rehydrate coastal wetlands and reduce point-source freshwater discharge to the Bay.
The Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project will restore wetland and estuarine habitats and divert an average of 59% of the annual coastal structure discharge into freshwater and saltwater wetlands instead of direct discharges to Biscayne Bay and Biscayne Bay National Park.
"Another step towards restoring the freshwater flow through the Everglades and into the Bay," said Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation. "The collaboration between the federal, state, and local governments to make sure this project comes to fruition is commendable and the benefits will be experienced by our children and grandchildren. It is a great day for Florida."
"I've said it before and I'll say it again, Biscayne Bay is our crown jewel, it is our Mount Rushmore, it is our Central Park, and we need to take care of it." Said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member, Charlie Martinez. "The restoration of Biscayne Bay is absolutely critical to our way of life in South Florida, and I look forward to celebrating the completion of more Everglades restoration projects that will benefit Biscayne Bay in the future."
