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Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), signed on Tuesday the major report of the Puerto Rico Coastal Storm Risk Management Study.
This critical step in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ study process approves the Jacksonville District’s findings and begins the congressional review process for future construction project authorizations.
“After nearly six years of dedication and tireless work, they have achieved a monumental milestone by signing off on the major report,” Col. Brandon Bowman, Jacksonville Sector Commander, said in a written statement.
The recommended plan is a risk management system that will reduce coastal storm damage to residential and commercial buildings, public infrastructure and critical facilities. The plan consists of two separate components: Ocean Park and Rincon Park, with a total estimated project cost of $252.3 million.
The Ocean Park plan includes the construction of two retaining walls in the Barbosa Park area and near the Las Marías Skate Park to reduce San Juan’s risk of coastal flooding from hurricanes and storms. The plan also preserves recreational facilities and aesthetic qualities, supporting regional recreation, environmental and economic benefits.
For Rincón, the program included the acquisition of approximately 71 parcels at risk of erosion along 1.1 miles of coastline and the restoration of a natural beach. It used nature-based solutions that could prevent 82% of the projected structural failures that would have occurred without the project. The program provides time and incentives for homeowners to relocate before structural failures occur.
The major report will be reviewed by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Engineering and the Office of Management and Budget before being formally submitted to Congress, which will authorize the project and make it eligible for construction funding.
“I’ve heard that this report had its challenges, but the team’s collaborative spirit and resilience led to a well-deserved success,” Bowman added.
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