Old Tamiami Trail Modifications

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The National Park Service (NPS) announces the issuance of a Finding of No New Significant Impact (FONNSI) for the Old Tamiami Trail Modifications Project. Acting Southeast Regional Director Sarah Craighead approved the FONNSI on March 20, 2018, based on the Environmental Essessment (EA) recommended by Everglades National Park Superintendent Pedro M. Ramos.

The EA and FONNSI may be reviewed and downloaded by clicking the "Document List" link at the left side of the screen.

This EA evaluated options for modifying an original 5.7-mile segment of Old Tamiami Trail located along the northern boundary of the park as proposed in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers' Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in 2014. The purpose of the Old Tamiami Trail Modifications project is to enhance sheetflow from Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3A into the park's Shark River Slough via the S-12C and S-12D water control structures, as envisioned in the CEPP. The purpose is also to enhance the natural resources of the park and WCA 3A by improving marsh connectivity and wetland functioning.

The EA, which tiers off of the CEPP FEIS, analyzed the site-specific hydrological, ecological, and cultural resources effects of restoring sheet flow that could result from removing different amounts of roadway. The EA was made available for public review during a 30-day comment period ending January 13, 2018.

The selected alternative will remove 5.45 miles of the 5.7 mile roadway in the park and modify the adjacent canal to connect it to the Everglades. While no new significant impacts were identified, the EA confirms the removal of 5.45 miles of Old Tamiami Trail will result in significant impacts on cultural resources as was determined in the CEPP FEIS and Record of Decision.

The NPS and the Florida State Historic Preservation Office have completed a Memorandum of Agreement to resolve and mitigate the adverse effects by retaining a 0.25-mile segment of Old Tamiami Trail and Canal for visitor use and interpretation of the highway's role in South Florida's transportation history. Vegetation will be removed and the road surface will be adapted for visitor use including walking, jogging, and wildlife observation. Interpretive opportunities may include displays and ranger-led tours to enhance visitor appreciation of the history of the trail. Canoe and kayak access will be provided at the west and east ends of the Old Tamiami Trail Canal.

For further information, contact Robert Johnson, Director of the South Florida Natural Resources Center, at the address below.

Thank you for your interest in Everglades National Park.


Contact Information

Robert Johnson
Director, South Florida Natural Resources Center
950 N Krome Ave, 3rd Floor
Homestead, FL 33030
email: Robert_Johnson@nps.gov
phone: 305-224-4240