FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2002
 

EVverglades Restoration Project One Of Six Recognized At Internationa Engineering Competition

--SFWMD engineers awarded for their engineering excellence--

TALLAHASSEE -- The South Florida Water Management District was among six finalists recognized at the annual Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) awards gala April 27 in Los Angeles in the prestigious American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2002 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement competition for two major components of the Everglades Construction Project: Stormwater Treatment Areas 1 West and 2. The completion of these two STAs is a significant milestone in the overall Everglades restoration program.

“This is a well-deserved recognition for the professional engineers involved with restoring America’s Everglades,” said DEP Secretary David B. Struhs. “Their work is known and respected worldwide. Along with the recognized high quality of their work, they continue to accomplish their mission both on time and on budget.”

Dr. H. Gerard Schwartz Jr., P.E., president of the ASCE, presented a finalist trophy to District Deputy Executive Director Joe Schweigart at the black-tie event, recognizing the STAs for their engineering and mechanical excellence, as well as the project’s benefits to the environment and society. Schweigart accepted it on behalf of the more than 50 District engineers and support staff, as well as over 30 consultant firms and contractors, who worked on the 3 ½ -year, $180 million project. The Everglades Construction Project was showcased in a video at the ceremony.

“To be recognized as building one of the best civil engineering projects in the world is a tremendous honor for the District,” said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Chair Trudi Williams. “The success of the STAs reflects the high standard of excellence, creativity and commitment of our staff and contractors to meet an immense challenge.”

Established in 1960, the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement award annually recognizes the project that best illustrates superior civil engineering achievement and represents a significant contribution to civil engineering progress and society. The award honors the team of engineers rather than an individual.

The six finalists were selected from a number of very strong projects among 33 entries from around the world. The other finalists were Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt; JFK Terminal 4 in Jamaica, New York; the I-15 Design/Build Reconstruction Project in Salt Lake City, Utah; the Experience Music Project in Seattle, Washington; and the Seven Oaks Dam in Highland, California. The overall winner was the Utah Department of Transportation for the I-15 Design/Build Reconstruction Project.

The 1994 Everglades Forever Act mandated construction of six stormwater treatment areas to improve water quality in the Everglades, including STA 1-West and STA-2. These large, constructed wetlands reduce the level of phosphorus entering the Everglades using naturally occurring biological processes and large pumps that enhance the outward flow of treated water. These six STAs will remove more than 160 metrics tons or phosphorus per year when fully operational.

STA-1 West, in central Palm Beach County, removes phosphorus from agricultural stormwater prior to entering the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, also known as Water Conservation Area 1. STA-2, in southern Palm Beach County, filters and discharges water to Water Conservation Area 2A. Each system covers more than 10 square miles of land.

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