Plaintiff Miami Waterkeeper, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting South Florida’s waters, brings this case to remedy violations of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §552, by Defendant, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The violations arise out of the Corps’ continuing failure to respond to Waterkeeper’s FOIA request.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will pause a massive dredging project that threatens endangered corals near Florida’s Ft. Lauderdale.

Order Staying Proceedings

Joint stipulated request to stay proceedings

Dredging delayed until 2019

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps” or “Army Corps”) has unlawfully approved a massive dredging project for Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Corps’ environmental analysis for this project is based on the same assumptions and information it used to authorize a nearly identical dredging project to expand the Port of Miami (“PortMiami”), just 30 miles south.

SCUBA and environmental organizations challenge massive dredging project in an effort to try to save threatened corals

SCUBA y organizaciones ambientales desafían a gigantesco proyecto de dragado para tratar de salvar los corales amenazados

The Florida reef tract is the only living, near-shore barrier coral reef system in the continental United States. Coral reef systems provide crucial shelter, food and breeding sites for countless marine plants and animals, including species that are commercially and recreationally valuable. They also protect coastal residents because they buffer storm damage. The reefs are…

RE: Request to withdraw biological opinion associated with the Port Everglades expansion project and reinitiate consultation

On behalf of Miami Waterkeeper, the Center for Biological Diversity, Florida Wildlife Federation, and Sea Experience, this letter serves as a sixty-day notice of our intent to sue the United States Army Corps of Engineers for violations of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq., relating to the proposed expansion of Port Everglades Harbor and planned dredging.

Groups will challenge failure to prevent damage to corals in upcoming Fort Lauderdale dredging project following disastrous project in Miami

After an expansion of the Port of Miami proved disastrous for Florida’s coral reef tract, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning a similar project at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.