For Immediate Release
June 16, 2009
Contact Information

Susan J. Jackson
904-232-1953-Office
904-232-2237-Fax
Susan.j.jackson@usace.army.mil

( BPRW) Army Corps of Engineers invites public to Herbert Hoover Dike meeting

(BLACK PR WIRE)(June 16, 2009) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites Lake Okeechobee residents to attend an open house and public meeting June 18 to learn about Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation Project progress and related information. The Corps encourages residents in the Lake Okeechobee area to attend.

The open house begins at 5 p.m. at the Pahokee High School auditorium, 900 Larrimore Road, Pahokee, where Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD) Project team members will answer questions and present information via displays, short videos and print materials. At 7 p.m., the Corps will provide a presentation that covers current and upcoming rehabilitation on the dike, emergency preparedness and other topics. The Corps welcomes the public's views, comments and information about the rehabilitation.

Along with construction progress, the Corps will present information on the design analysis and methodology, National Environmental Policy Act requirements, and the real estate notification and acquisition process. The open house and public meeting will not cover specific dike designs that require real estate acquisition, but will provide a timeline for future public meetings.

Public health and safety is the Corps highest priority. In 2007 the Army Corps of Engineers placed the HHD on the top list of nation-wide dams in need of repair. Since then the Corps has funded more work on the HHD than for any other dam construction project in the nation. The HHD Rehabilitation Project received $56 million in 2008 and $74 million in 2009. The Obama Administration has proposed a budget including $130 million for construction in fiscal year 2010.


For more information about Jacksonville District’s activities, visit our website at: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil

The Corps Jacksonville District is working to rehabilitate HHD, including filling the existing toe ditch, designing and constructing landside seepage management features, installing a cutoff wall, and conducting a variety of studies and technical reviews to help ensure the safety of south Florida residents. Progress made to date on the most significant components of the program will be presented June 18.
Spanish translation is available with 24-hour notice. Please call 561-683-1577x19 to request this service.

For more information the Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation, please go to the Jacksonville District website at www.saj.uace.army.mil and look for the dike under Hot Topics.
For information about the open house and meeting, contact the Corporate Communication Office at 1-800-291-9413 or (904) 232-1953.

For more information about Jacksonville District’s activities, visit our website at: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil