SRS is the prime contractor managing the creation of a Dredge Readiness and Operations Plan (DROP) for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and nine associated federal inlets. The GIWW stretches for 160 miles from the Caloosahatchee River to the Anclote River on the west coast of Florida.

The scope requires update of the project geodatabase and completion of a programmatic operations plan that includes National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance to allow for dredging throughout the GIWW and associated inlets. It also includes a site-specific environmental assessment and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) permitting for the dredging of the top priority inlet and nearby GIWW location.

Project Geodatabase: The project required the generation of an Internet-based portal for all geospatial-relevant data for user-friendly access by the USACE staff and stakeholders. SRS scientists reviewed the existing project geodatabase for completeness and accuracy. Additional data gathering was performed to obtain readily compiled data layers relating to environmental features and resources.

Environmental Assessment Document: SRS performed a Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the entire 160 miles of the waterway and nine associated inlets, as well as prepared an event-specific environmental assessment for a dredging event to be initiated at the top priority site in 2018. SRS also assisted in organizing, coordinating, and setting up public meetings.

FDEP Permitting: SRS prepared materials for and assisted USACE in a meeting with staff from the FDEP Beaches, Inlets, and Port Program Division of Water Resources Management and NOAA prior to submission of an FDEP Joint Coastal Permit application to conduct maintenance dredging for the top priority site. SRS finalized the permit application and will assist in requests for additional information from FDEP.